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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING LLOYD WRIGHT
______
HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Friday, September 27, 2019
Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr.
Lloyd Wright, the President and CEO of WFYI in Indianapolis, Indiana,
on his retirement. For the last three decades, Lloyd has led WFYI to
become one of the premier radio stations in the State of Indiana. Under
the stewardship of Lloyd, WFYI made unprecedented strides forward in
the quality of programming and the number of daily listeners.
Lloyd, a native of Beech Grove, Indiana who upon graduation from
Indiana University began his nearly four decade long career in public
broadcasting. He began with a position as Director of Instructional
Broadcasting with the Indiana Department of Education. Later Lloyd
served for six years as Broadcast Operations Manager at WTTW (Chicago
Public Television), and then moved on to become a Producer, Director,
and Writer for the Indiana University News Bureau. Lloyd joined WFYI in
1988 as Director of Program Production. The following year, Lloyd was
appointed WFYI's President and Chief Executive Officer, a position he
has held for a remarkable 30 years. Under Lloyd's leadership, WFYI's
annual operating budget grew from $2.5 million in 1988 to more than $11
million today.
In his time at the helm of WFYI Public Media, the group flourished as
a multi-media content provider, with its three distinct public
television services, two HD public radio channels, interactive website
and a growing array of social media assets. Program lineup changes made
to satisfy audience demand for National Public Radio programs such as
``Morning Edition'' and ``All Things Considered'' helped to increase
the footprint of WFYI throughout Central Indiana. Nationally loved
children's television programs such as ``Sesame Street'' and ``Mr.
Roger's Neighborhood'' help to anchor a strong daily program lineup
that built large audiences. Lloyd's leadership also saw the creation of
Indiana-related content and shows such as ``Indiana Week in Review''
and ``Across Indiana''. These steps forward in programming led to a 450
percent increase to the station's operating budget and a station
membership of 25,000 listeners.
In 2008, under the stewardship of Lloyd, WFYI successfully completed
a $20 million capital campaign, and was awarded a $900,000 Kresge
Foundation Capital Grant. As a result of this massively successful
fundraising campaign, WFYI was honored with multiple PBS Development
Awards, including the ``Award of Excellence for Overall Membership''.
Lloyd himself was recognized with Emmy Awards for Technical Achievement
and Station of Excellence, as well as two Sagamore of the Wabash
honors, the highest award given by Indiana Governors to recognize
distinguished service to the State of Indiana. The station also earned
distinctions from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences,
Society of Professional Journalists, the Public Media Journalists
Association, Associated Press and the Indiana Broadcasters Association
during Lloyd's time at the helm. In October of 2013, Lloyd received the
distinguished honor of being inducted into the Indiana Broadcasters
Association Pioneers Hall of Fame.
In addition to his work with WFYI, Lloyd served multiple terms on the
PBS Board of Directors, including the PBS Executive Committee, lending
his expertise to those also in the public broadcasting arena. Lloyd has
also generously given back to the City of Indianapolis, participating
in many community organizations. Lloyd serves on the boards of the
Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, The Economic Club of Indiana,
among others. Additionally, Lloyd also serves as a member ofthe Board
of Trustees for Central Christian Church in downtown Indianapolis.
The positive impact of Lloyd's work with WFYI has benefited
generations of Hoosiers. His dedication to public service and public
broadcasting have been invaluable to the citizens of Central Indiana
and the country. On behalf of all Hoosiers I would like to thank Lloyd
for his decades of service to public media consumers throughout Central
Indiana, and wish him and his family all the best in a well-deserved
retirement.
____________________
