Maxie C. Jackson III recently joined ideastream—a public broadcasting conglomerate serving the greater Cleveland area. He takes the lead at one of ideastream's public radio stations, WCPN FM 90.3. He has more than 20 years of management and programming experience in radio, television and live events.

 

Most recently, he was president and CEO of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. He also served as senior director, program development for New York Public Radio (WNYC) and radio program director for WETA in Washington, DC.

 

Jackson earned a master’s degree at MSU in 1994. He majored in telecommunications in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

 

Ideastream, a non-profit organization, applies the power of media to education, culture and citizenship. It includes WVIZ/PBS TV, WCPN FM 90.3, WCLV FM 104.9, educational and public service cable channels, broadband interactive video distance learning, the Internet and other interactive media.

 

The company leverages technical, creative and financial resources through partnerships with like-minded organizations. Support comes primarily from contributions made by individuals, foundations and corporations. Funding from state and federal agencies also plays a critical role.

 

The organization has garnered national attention as a new model for public service media. It reaches an estimated 2.8 million people a month in the Northeast Ohio region.