Kevin Martin

Nov. 23, 2016 (Cleveland) – The Board of Trustees of ideastream has named Kevin E. Martin to be the next President and CEO of ideastream. He assumes his duties on January 9, 2017, succeeding Jerry Wareham who is retiring. An industry veteran, Martin currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at KQED, the public media organization serving the San Francisco Bay area.

A native of Indiana, Martin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Management and Accounting from Purdue University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the School of Public Affairs at American University. Prior to KQED, Martin spent seven years as the Vice President of Station Grants and Television Station Initiatives at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). He began his career in 1990 at the Independent Television Service (ITVS), as their first Director of Finance and Administration, establishing the infrastructure and core business systems for the then-new public media entity. After five years with ITVS, Martin moved on to work as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Twin Cities Public Television (KTCA), where he was instrumental in developing their first for-profit subsidiary. In 1998 Martin joined North Texas Public Broadcasting (KERA), serving as Executive Vice President and COO, and Interim President and CEO.

Martin has served on numerous boards of directors, including the International Public Television’s (INPUT), the Development Exchange Inc. (DEI), and the Public Broadcasting Management Association (PBMA). He served on the ITVS Board of Directors from 1999 to 2004, serving as chairman in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Active in the community, he has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the YMCA of the Central Bay Area, as a National Council Member of Graywolf Press Publishing and has been an active fund raiser for World Bicycle Relief. His interests include arts and culture, economic empowerment and the environment. He and his wife, Hansa, look forward to moving to Northeastern Ohio.