Living Earth Television : Your Neighbors Around The World

LETV'S Board of Directors

EARON S. DAVIS
Board Chair
Part of the Living Earth Television vision since 2003, Earon has traveled the U.S. and China on behalf of the organization. He has been instrumental in developing the vision and structure of LETV and is passionate about the organization's mission. Davis says "It is a thrill to be associated with LETV's inspirational and talented group of non-profit and broadcast professionals."

In addition to degrees in Law, Public Health, and Sociology, Earon was named as a consultant to the Western Branch of the Documentary Films Academic Committee of the China TV Artists Association. With his experience as an advocate, attorney, journalist, healthcare practitioner, media advisor, professor and publisher, Davis brings a truly rich perspective to LETV and its board. He has received awards for his work on environmental health and the rights of people with disabilities and has numerous publications to his credit.

RICHARD BASOFIN
Board Vice President
Board member and Vice President Richard Basofin is very pleased to be associated with Living Earth Television and an outstanding and talented group of board members and supporters. He believes that LETV is changing lives around the world. Basofin's focus is on advancing the mission of Living Earth Television through enhanced organization, education, and financial structure.

Basofin's education includes degrees in mathematics from the University of Illinois and in business from the Universities of Michigan and Chicago. He recently attained the Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza School of Business.

Basofin's work experience includes a long career in management consulting serving both the for profit and nonprofit communities. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Head of Administration for Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center. Basofin has served on many boards including the American Refugee Committee (as President) and the American Indian Health Service (as Vice-Chair).

RICHARD RUDY
Board Treasurer
Board member and Treasurer Richard Rudy is a Senior Accounting Professional and CPA with broad business and financial expertise. His range of experience includes accounting, business management, banking, IT, Employee Benefits, and HR.

Rudy has worked for a law firm and for a technical medical services firm as Chief Financial Officer, and had previously served as the Vice President of Finance for a manufacturer of metal and plastic components for the auto industry. He has also worked as an Audit Manager and Senior Auditor for major national and international accounting firms. Richard Rudy's BS degree in Accountancy was earned at the University of Illinois, Urbana.

BARRY BENSON
Board Member
Barry Benson, board member, is Vice President for Development and Communications for ProLiteracy Worldwide, a leading international adult literacy organization based in Syracuse, NY. His past positions have included as Executive Director of Literacy Chicago, where he directed a staff of 15 and volunteer corp of several hundred, and was responsible for development, programming, financial, HR, communications and marketing facets. He led a successful turnaround of Literacy Chicago, growing grant revenue by over 500% in 18 months.

Prior to his work in adult literacy, Benson served as Director of Corporate Relations for Columbia College Chicago, and as Corporate Foundations Officer for St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY. He also established, owned and directed a group of art galleries in St. Augustine, FL.

A gifted communicator and artist himself, Benson received his BA in World Politics and International Economics from the University of Michigan, and his MA in Psychology from Norwich University/Vermont College. He has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including The Incurable Theater Company, Chicago, the Center for Asian Arts and Media, Chicago, and Story Week Festival of Writers, Chicago.

LINDA GERBER
Board Member
Serving on the Living Earth Television board for more than two years, Linda Gerber's extensive industry expertise and business contacts have been significant contributions to LETV's strong foundation and future growth.

With 30 years in the field, Gerber has tackled assignments from many vantage points including directing, producing, reporting, consulting and editing. Gerber began her career as an associate producer for an Emmy-award-winning children's program at WLS-TV before moving to the newsroom to work on documentaries and investigative reports. After earning a Master's degree in Journalism, Gerber started her own production company, where she has worked on projects for national and international shows and organizations including The Oprah Show, A&E, and the Discovery Channel.

In addition to high profile public projects, Gerber has worked with leading institutions such as Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and the American Society of Newspaper Editors, in the field of education. She has provided motivational and training programs to companies including Ameritech and IBM, in addition to written and produced information, training and advocacy programs for governmental organizations such as the USEPA.

Linda says it is the important mission of LETV and the camaraderie that keep her connected. Gerber also serves and assists other foundations and non-profits.

CHRISTINE MARIE NIELSEN
Board Member
In her position as board member and executive editor of intercultural content, Christine Marie Nielsen is Living Earth Television's primary researcher and writer. Her efforts are focused on editing the content of LETV's programs and contextualizing these programs for an American audience.

She is an internationally published journalist and creative writer who has done memoir-writing outreach instruction for Northwestern University and has participated in several writing workshops both inside and outside of the U.S.

Nielsen's writing accolades include two ACE Awards from Dow Jones & Co, Inc., where she was employed for eight years. Nielsen's articles have appeared in publications including BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's and have been carried by The Associated Press.

Nielsen has also served as an on-air contributor for a live daily and nationally syndicated radio show for Colorado-Springs-based Business News Network. Previous to a 13-year stint as an up-to-the-second wire reporter, she cut her teeth as a neighborhood issues reporter for The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

BRIAN ROYER
Board Member
Board member and technical advisor, Brian Royer, brings a wealth of experience as a multi-media content producer to the LETV table.

Also president and owner of Sound Web Media Inc., an interactive development firm dedicated to creating new strides in media presentation, Royer has worked for over two decades constructing dynamic user experiences. He has created content for a wide array of Fortune 500 corporations, Internet startups, filmmakers, animators and musicians.

Royer's career began with the study of vocal performance and orchestral composition, and branched into interactive technology as the field was ripe for exploration. In tandem with learning and mastering the interactive development landscape, he has continued to write and perform with bands, including the critically acclaimed Analog Radio. Royer is also an avid hiker and kayaker.