Gina Forbes
Station Manager of Woodbridge TV
Gina Forbes is the Station Manager of Woodbridge TV and has worked there for over 30 years. She began part-time, while attending St. John’s University in 1989 and became full-time in ‘91. Gina has helped the station grow from a small operation to the technologically advanced one it is today.
Beyond Cable: New Ways to Communicate w/Your Citizens (Roundtable)
Municipal TV is not just cable anymore. We will discuss the various ways a municipality can communicate with their citizens beyond traditional cable television channels. The panel will explore and discuss new video trends in social media, live streaming and how access channels are entering the world of Over The Top (OTT) with their own channels on Apple TV, Roku and more. Panelists: Gina Forbes, Station Manager, Woodbridge TV; Jesse Lerman President/CEO, TelVue Corporation; Joe Fernandes, Assistant Supervisor, Woodbridge TV; Brandon Uhlig, Station Manager, Metuchen Media; ; Rudy Ellis, CEO, Switchboard, Panelists/Moderator: Bob Duthaler, Managing Partner, DNS Media Group
JAG’s 25th Anniversary Banquet and JAG Awards Sponsored by Varto Technologies
Tonight JAG’s celebrates its 25th Anniversary. We will reflect on our history and all that we have accomplished. Joining us will be some of the key people that helped JAG find its way in developing relationships with vendors and establishing JAG as a major player in the development and protection of community Media. Welcome: Bob Duthaler, President, JAG; Presentation of JAG Recognition Awards and President’s Ovation Award Anniversary Program Host: Rich Desimone, Managing Director, JAG Guest Speakers: Gina Forbes, Founding Member; Stehpanie Gibbons, Founding Board Member; Mayor Brian Wahler, Sharon Colucci, Founding Board Member; Ed Cologna, Original member and Other Guests: Dave Ambrosy, Founding Board member; with videos from original members & past presidents Cindy O’Connor and Lee Beckerman
Problem Solving Forum: Goals & Obstacles (Roundtable)
It’s important for every institution to set goals in order to grow and improve, but setting realistic goals and achieving them can be challenging. Those challenges can vary depending on the goal and what you are trying to achieve. In many cases achieving that goal depends on finding money, sometimes it’s knowing how to handle local politics; sometimes it’s understanding new technology; and sometimes it’s just a matter of not having enough personnel to execute new plans. This roundtable will be an interactive investigation on the ways JAG members have found to “sell” programs to councils; solved technical problems to reach a goal; or redeployed personnel to cover additional needs without adding staff. This roundtable will help you find ways to address those challenges. Panelist: Don Smith, Station Manager, Cranford TV; Craig Yetsko, Station Manager, North Brunswick TV; Anthony Pagliuco, Station Manager, East Brunswick; Moderator Geoffery Belinfante, External Relations Chair, JAG
Partners Dinner Sponsored by Switchboard
JAG realized early that we needed to partner with as many towns as possible to deal with all the obstacles that were keeping stations from reaching their potential. That concept of partners continued to be a main focus in developing JAG. This included JAG joining organizations that were battling legislative controls that would have a negative impact on community media distribution in NJ. We also recognize the need to develop relationships with vendors for assistance in building and updating our facilities. This evening key representatives responsible for JAG’s development will share their thoughts about their partnership with JAG and our future together. Thank you to our guests for their support and believing in JAG’s mission. Welcome: Bob Duthaler, President of JAG; Host: Rich Desimone, Managing Director, JAG; Guest speakers: Jesse Lerman, President/CEO, TelVue Corporation; Rudy Ellis, CEO, Switchboard, Mike Wassenaar, President & CEO, Alliance for Community Media, Paul DeStefano, Northeast Regional Sales Manager, DeSisti Lighting; Varto Keshishian, Owner, President, Varto Technologies