Lee Ann Lee, Vermont Public Television's vice president for marketing and development, has announced she will retire from the statewide public television network on March 31, 2010.
Lee joined the VPT staff in 1981, and she has been a familiar face to viewers ever since as host of on-air fundraising campaigns. Behind the scenes, she guided fundraising at VPT into the age of computers. Lee recalled, "When I started, our membership files were in shoe boxes." She noted the best things about her years at VPT are that she "met wonderful donors, made great friends and mentored excellent staff." John King, president and CEO of Vermont Public Television, said, "VPT depends on contributions from the community for most of our revenue. Over the three decades of Lee Ann's leadership, VPT has raised more than $75 million to support our programming and services."
Lee and her staff have earned many PBS Development Awards for innovation and professional expertise. She served on a variety of public television task forces and committees, including the PBS Development Advisory Council. A national search for her replacement is underway.