An attorney with a practice in Preston, Minn., and two regional economic development experts have joined the board of directors of Austin-based KSMQ-TV.

The new members are Pamela Bishop, Jennifer Gumbel and Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt.

“Our new members will bring a beneficial and diverse mix of talents to our board,” said KSMQ Chairwoman Suzy Meneguzzo. “Their skills will certainly be welcomed as we seek ways to expand our local television programming during a time of transition in the media environment.”

 

Pamela Bishop is the Business Senior Program Officer at the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation in Owatonna. Her responsibilities include strategy implementation and program management of the Foundation’s regional business and economic development goals. Bishop is also active in the Vision 2020 initiative in Austin. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls.

Jennifer Gumbel is a partner with the law firm Springer & Gumbel, P.A., in Preston. Gumbel joined the firm in 2008. Her practice areas include criminal, probate and real estate. Gumbel is a graduate of the Drake University Law School in Des Moines.

Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt is executive director of the United Way of Austin. The Willmar native earned a master’s degree in public and nonprofit institutions from St. Cloud State University. Among her numerous civic activities, Lighthizer-Schmidt serves as a member of the board of directors of The Hormel Foundation.

KSMQ-TV, with its studio and offices located at Riverland Community College, is the PBS television affiliate serving southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa.