(BUFFALO, NY) In late June, Goldie Gardner, the Program Manager for ThinkBright TV, retired after a thirty-four year career in public broadcasting.  Gardner, who has become an institution in the Western New York and Southern Ontario region, performed many roles at WNED, including Membership Director, Viewer Services Coordinator, On-air Pledge Talent and Co-host of the popular PLAIN & FANCY COOKING.

In her final position as Program Manager for ThinkBright, Gardner helped guide WNED’s sister station from being merely a digital lifelong learning channel into a statewide network. Today, ThinkBright’s unique schedule with genre themes in the evening (Arts & Performance, History & Biography, Family & Education, etc.), kids shows during the day, and NY State and educational programs overnight is carried by six of the eight public television stations in New York State.

“Goldie has done so much for WNED and the system over the years,” said Donald K. Boswell, WNED President and CEO.  “Her influence as a team leader, public personality, and good friend for all of us in public broadcasting will be sorely missed.  But of course, we can only wish her the best of luck as she enters the next phase of her life.”

Goldie’s husband, David Cady (whom she met at WNED), retired this year from WNED as well.  They have two sons: Ben, 25, and Adam, 23.

Taking over as Program Manager will be Jim Connors.  Connors was previously ThinkBright Operations Coordinator and worked closely with Gardner on the evolution and development of ThinkBright.  Rich Borosky, the Traffic Specialist for WNED-TV, will become Program Coordinator for ThinkBright. 

About ThinkBright
ThinkBright is a dynamic family of digital learning services, including ThinkBright Online, ThinkBright TV and various TV content and outreach initiatives.  Made possible through the generous support of The John R. Oishei Foundation, Thinkbright is presented by WNED and its founding partners, including Buffalo Public Schools, Erie 1 BOCES/WNY Regional Information Center, UB’s Center for Applied Technologies in Education (CATE); the Buffalo Education Channel 21; and Time Warner Cable.

Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright, Classical 94.5/WNED-FM and WNED-AM 970 The Information Station, the member-supported Western New York Public Broadcasting Association provides high quality programming and services that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate our communities. Additional information about ThinkBright can be found at www.thinkbright.org.

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