Valley Media Works (VMW) – the former Chippewa Valley Community Television – has named Jerry Barton as interim executive director, replacing Dick Purves, who retired after 23 years with the organization.
Barton most recently spent 13 years as Practice Administrator at UW Health in Eau Claire. He has a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University and a B.S. degree in Education from the University of North Dakota.
“I look forward to guiding our team in its continued efforts to provide professional video production and educational resources to our community while exploring new opportunities for growth,” he said in a press release.
Barton lives in Eau Claire with his wife of 40 years, Mary. Community members are invited to visit the VMW studio and meet Barton during office hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) or by appointment.
Purves joined Community TV in 1994 as a part-time member of its government production staff. He previously spent 15 years as a Senior Computer Specialist and Manager for the Tandy Corporation.
Purves was instrumental in aiding the organization’s move into its current location in Banbury Place and designing the new studio there. He was named Operations Manager in 2001 and was promoted to Executive Director in May, 2013.
He was involved in the earliest discussions that led to the creation of the Chippewa Valley Post and was a member of its board of directors until last month.
Valley Media Works, the Chippewa Valley’s only public access media center, is an independent nonprofit organization that provides a platform for public, educational, and government programming. Its mission includes community engagement and education, and providing an opportunity for creativity by members of the public.
In recent years, VMW’s content has been provided online and via social media, in addition to Channels 993 and 994 on the Charter Cable system.
VMW’s Community channel (993 on Charter) is available for individuals, groups or organizations to use for programming that will educate, entertain and inform its viewers. The Government channel (994 on Charter) presents information by and about local government, including live and archived broadcasts of meetings of the Eau Claire City Council, Eau Claire County Board, Eau Claire Plan Commission and the Eau Claire Area School District board.
The content of the Government channel is simulcast on WRFP, VMW’s low-power FM station (101.9).
Further information is available from Brad Hoffmann, VMW’s office manager, by calling 715-839-5067 or via email to brad@cvctv.org.