Liza Hernandez-Henson, John Armstrong and Matthew Landon were voted onto the board of directors of New England Public Media at its Annual Meeting on Sept. 20, 2021. Susan Fentin is NEPM’s new board president, replacing Robert Feldman, who completed his term on the board.
Susan Fentin retired in 2019 from the Springfield labor and employment law firm of Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. Prior to attending law school in 1992, Susan worked as a graphic designer, copywriter, and account executive for several local advertising agencies before opening her own agency in 1978. After 17 years in marketing and advertising, she made a dramatic career change in 1992 when she entered law school. After graduating in 1996, she clerked for Justice John Greaney on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and then worked at Shipman and Goodwin in Hartford before returning to practice in Springfield at Skoler, Abbott. In 2015, she was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Massachusetts.
In addition to NEPM, Susan is currently a member of the board of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin and Greenfield Cooperative Bank. Susan is the past president of the boards of WFCR, New England Public Radio, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and Riverside Industries and also served on the Board of Directors of The Academy of Music in Northampton. She lives in Conway, Massachusetts, and is married to Gary S. Fentin, also an attorney. Susan is a graduate of Wellesley College and Western New England College School of Law, where she was editor-in-chief of the law review.
NEPM President Martin Miller is looking forward to working with Fentin in her new role as board president. “I am thrilled about this appointment. Susan has spent many years volunteering her time and giving of her talents to public media. I’m equally excited about our new board members who join us at a very important time in NEPM’s history and growth. They, along with our current directors, make up a team of fabulous individuals — all working in service to our region.”
“This is an exciting time to be involved in public media, and an especially exciting time to be part of NEPM,” noted Fentin. “We’re conducting a nationwide search to find a new president and about to begin construction of our new headquarters, renovating the former home of WGBY-TV on Hampden Street in Springfield to equip it for radio, television, and multi-media/digital productions. Even in this time of change, we haven’t lost sight of our mission to provide trustworthy news, high quality entertainment, and important educational programming to the citizens of western New England across all media — radio, TV, and digital. I’m privileged to be involved.”
Liza Hernandez-Henson is originally from Houston, Texas, and moved to Massachusetts in 2017. She attended the University of Houston and began her career in the financial sector in audit and compliance. Over the last 12 years, she has worked in various capacities in management and operations within the insurance and financial services industry. Today, Liza specializes in holistic advice and financial planning at MassMutual. She is passionately interested in opera and symphonic music and is a former professional flamenco dancer. She has always been a proponent of the value of public media. She lives in Longmeadow.
John Armstrong graduated from Harvard College in 1956 with an AB in physics and earned a PhD from Harvard in applied physics in 1961. He retired in 1993 after a 30-year career at IBM, where he was vice president and director of research. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a former Harvard Overseer, a former trustee of the University of Massachusetts System, and a former member of the National Science Board. He was a founding member of the UMass Amherst Foundation Board and a founding board member of the Emily Dickinson Museum. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Amherst.
Matthew Landon holds a BA in government and psychology from Dartmouth College. He began his investment career at MassMutual Financial Group and rose to the role of managing director. As a dedicated student of the financial markets and lifelong learner, Matt has been awarded designation as a chartered financial analyst. Matthew lives in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, with his wife, Lisa, and their two sons. He serves as a trustee at Veritas Prep Charter School and is a member of their finance and investment committees. As a lacrosse fan and enthusiast, Matt serves on the board of the Longmeadow Boys Lacrosse Association and still suits up for an occasional over-40 lacrosse game. In addition to being appointed to the board, Matthew has been tapped to be NEPM’s treasurer and chair of the finance committee.
New board President Susan Fentin looks forward to working with the NEPM board, including the three news members. “It’s a delight to welcome them to the NEPM board. Our board is comprised of people from diverse backgrounds, each of whom has special talents to bring to our work. Matt, John, and Liza are joining a group of smart, talented professionals and volunteers who are committed to public media. We are so happy to have them on board.”
A number of people who are already serving on the NEPM Board are joining its Executive Committee — Tim Loew as clerk, Robyn Newhouse as chair of the nominating and governance committee, as well as Aaron Vega and Laura Wright as vice chairs.
ABOUT NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA
New England Public Media is a community-supported, independent non-profit organization based in Springfield, Mass. Through a deep commitment to independent local journalism, trusted educational content, inspired cultural offerings, and civic engagement, NEPM endeavors to share new voices and inspire new conversations. It provides audiences with a broad array of local and national programs across all media—TV, radio, online, and mobile, including PBS and NPR programs as well as locally produced series, podcasts and specials. Its four digital TV channels, and two radio networks present news, jazz and classical music, documentaries, talk, drama, plus cultural and educational programming.
NEPM brings quality public television programs to audiences across western New England, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs, to hear diverse viewpoints, and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS KIDS helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. NEPM's locally produced television programming includes the magazine-format public affairs show Connecting Point, the bilingual series Presencia, and the academic quiz show As Schools Match Wits. NEPM is available over the air on digital channel 57-1 and on cable throughout western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut and can be seen in high definition in western Massachusetts at Comcast 857, Time Warner 1221, Spectrum 782, and over the air on channel 57.
New England Public Media's radio presence provides an essential and trusted voice for the region through local reporting and locally-produced music programming, and by connecting the region to the world through its partnership with NPR and other national and international public media organizations. Its flagship signal, 88.5FM WFCR, and 5 repeating stations in Berkshire County, presents news, jazz, and classical music, while the six stations of the NEPM News Network provide the region with news, talk, and cultural programming 24/7.
MEDIA CONTACT
Vanessa Cerillo
Senior Director, Marketing, Communications and Events
New England Public Media
413-735-6605
vanessa_cerillo@nepm.org