As he sits in the KPBS Shiley Studios, longtime station volunteer, tour guide, and major donor Harold Zimnick shares fond memories about his involvement with KPBS. “During one of the station’s pledge drives, I volunteered to answer phones and got a tour. A few months later, the volunteer coordinator asked if I would serve as a volunteer captain and help train other volunteers on taking pledges.” The rest is history. Harold, a retired engineer, would go on to give public tours of the station and provide advice on technological projects.
Zimnick is being inducted into the KPBS Hall of Fame as a Visionary, along with local philanthropist Carol Vassiliadis and members of the KPBS Producers Club Committee for their leadership and commitment to the station’s future.
KPBS and MASTERPIECE Trust donor Carol Vassiliadis has been closely connected with KPBS since the 1960s. She is passionate about the role of KPBS in our community and especially in children’s lives. She has provided the largest single gift in station history by a living person.
“I know how expensive it is to keep it going,” says Vassiliadis. “If I have a certain amount of money that I can put in… public television will always be one of my first choices because I think it’s most important for humanity.”
The KPBS Producers Club Committee was established in 2009 as a way to involve community leaders to enhance the annual giving program. President Kitty Wolcott and committee members Kathy Bettles, Julie Hatch, and Patti Nussbaum have helped grow the program by nearly 200% since the committee’s inception. When it started, the Producers Club had 645 members. Today, there are over 1,800 families.
“KPBS is something I really strongly believe in,” says Wolcott. “I think it’s such an asset to the community.”
“We’ve all done a lot of volunteer work over the years in different organizations and for different people,” says Nussbaum. “Out of all the ones I’ve been involved in, KPBS has been the most satisfying experience.”
“Whether it’s advising us on an exciting membership program, devoting their time, or inspiring the next generation of supporters, the 2019 Hall of Fame Visionary Honorees have made a positive impact on KPBS,” said KPBS General Manager Tom Karlo. “As a result of their advocacy, KPBS is able to enrich, educate, and engage our community today and for generations to come.”
In Memoriam: KPBS is sad to announce the passing of our dear friend Harold Zimnick in October 2019. Harold was more than a volunteer and donor. He was a KPBS family member.
About the KPBS Hall of Fame
Created in 2010, the KPBS Hall of Fame honors individuals and families who have made significant contributions to the station through their work, philanthropy, and leadership. Honorees are acknowledged in two possible categories: Lifetime Achievement and Visionary.
Lifetime Achievement honorees are former staff whose work set new standards for public media. Past honorees include KPBS founder Ken Jones, former political correspondent Gloria Penner, and About San Diego host Ken Kramer.
The Visionaries are generous supporters and leaders whose commitment helps KPBS advance its mission and service to the community. Past Visionary honorees include MASTERPIECE Trust donor Darlene Shiley, major donors to the KPBS Newsroom Joan and Irwin Jacobs, and past SDSU President Stephen Weber and Susan Weber.
Visit our photo gallery honoring all the Hall of Fame Inductees.
