O’Keefe Earns National Recognition as PTPA Programmer of the Year

 

Longtime KMOS-TV Program Director Michael O’Keefe was honored by the Public Television Station Programming Association.

WARRENSBURG, MO – Having dedicated 40 years to public television at the University of Central Missouri, KMOS-TV staff member Michael O’Keefe was honored as the Public Television Station Programming Association’s (PTPA) Programmer of the Year. The UCM alumnus who serves as the KMOS program director was recognized in a ceremony Nov. 14 in Naples, Florida.

PTPA is an organization dedicated to the professional development of public television programming professionals by providing resources that enrich, inspire and educate. The association names the Programmer of the Year based on the quality of a public television station’s programming schedule, and how the station utilizes local and national programming to make possible high-quality public media programming within the communities it serves.

The 2022 award presentation was made during a recognition dinner that took place during PTPA’s annual Fall Meeting, Nov. 14-16. With the exception of 2020 and 2021, the award has been presented to deserving individuals continuously since 1992.

O’Keefe graduated from UCM in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting, and went on to complete his Master of Arts in Environmental Studies in 2014. During the four decades he has served as KMOS-TV’s program director, O’Keefe has been responsible for the station’s programming and promotional efforts including the scheduling of all four KMOS channels, the creation of the monthly program guide, “Contact,” and the design and maintenance of the KMOS website.

Among his many achievements, O’Keefe’s played a significant role in helping the station transition from a single channel to a multiple channel broadcast platform. These efforts have enabled KMOS to increase its viewership and recognition within Central Missouri and the PBS system.

According to Josh Tomlinson, director of broadcasting services and general manager of KMOS, O’Keefe “has also been a constant driver of student success, continually hiring, training and mentoring UCM students in many fields.”

In addition to being highly dedicated to students and his professional craft, in his spare time O’Keefe is an ardent outdoorsman. He is passionate about wildlife, and has a particular interest in birds. He volunteers with many nature organizations and educational groups.

As a member of PTPA, O’Keefe is part of an organization that is considered a trusted partner and essential resource for programming professionals in the ever-changing industry he represents. In their working environment, members of the organization make decisions on a daily basis with regard to broadcast and digital curation, distribution, and consumer viewing trends. PTPA promotes an atmosphere in which members can trade best practices and network, and utilize professional development and mentoring opportunities that will help them connect the public television stations they represent to the communities they serve. 

KMOS serves the citizens of 38 central Missouri counties with high-quality, educational content and experiences online, over-the-air and in various communities. The station is integral to engaged learning as a professional learning lab for students from a variety of disciplines at the UCM. KMOS broadcasts programming on four channels full of programs for all ages on 6.1, lifestyle and how-to programs on 6.2, international news, documentaries and dramas on 6.3, and a full schedule of kids’ programming to fit the schedule of every busy family on 6.4.

Learn more about UCM’s public television station at kmos.org. To learn more about PTPA, visit ptpa.tv.