DETROIT (Nov. 22, 2024) – The Detroit PBS Board of Trustees recently elected Kenneth Mathies, the vice president and chief diversity officer at AAA -The Auto Club Group, as its newest members.

“We are honored to have such a credentialed business professional as Ken on our board,” said Rich Homberg, president and CEO of Detroit PBS. “With his insight and decades-long experience as a consummate business professional, he will be a key contributor to our mission, particularly in DEI, providing invaluable guidance to promote and energize our work.”

In his role as vice president and chief diversity officer, Mathies leads AAA’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion organization and collaborates with executive leadership, business lines, employees, members and various communities to promote a culture that advocates for diversity and inclusiveness.

“I am honored to become part of Detroit PBS’ diverse and culturally rich organization,” Mathies said. “ I am fully committed to the organization’s mission to educate, engage and inspire, and I hope to leverage some of my experience to help guide strategy and find new opportunities for inclusivity in the culture and engagement that connects us with the communities we serve.”

Mathies has amassed more than 25 years of leadership experience. He earned a degree in Business Administration and supplemental certifications in enterprise technologies, information security law, data forensic Investigation and multiple business management platforms. He is also a certified diversity professional (CDP).

He came on board with AAA as a manager of the Technology Department and moved up the ranks as director of Enterprise Technology Support and Implementation and director of Legal Operations before becoming assistant vice president and chief diversity officer. He was promoted to vice president in March 2021. 

Currently, Mathies serves on the Board of Directors for an Ohio-based information technology corporation and also serves on the board of directors for the Michigan Diversity Council.

He has been the recipient of many prestigious leadership honors including the 2024 Diversity MBA’s Top 25 Outstanding Leadership and Diversity Impact Award, 2023 Diversity First Magazine Top 25 U.S. Diversity Change Leaders Award; 2023 Crain’s Business Magazine Top Notable DE&I Leader Award; 2023 Crain’s Business Magazine Top Notable DE&I Leader Awardand 2023 National Diversity Counsel Outstanding Business Leader Award, among others.

About Detroit PBS

Detroit PBS is Michigan’s only community-licensed public television station, operating independently of any educational institution or governmental entity. With more than 2 million weekly viewers across its five TV channels, Detroit PBS is the state’s largest and most watched public television station, reaching one of the most diverse public television audiences in America. Its listener-supported radio station, 90.9 WRCJ, is Detroit’s only classical and jazz station, reaching a local and worldwide audience and averaging 280,000 streams per month. Formerly known as Detroit Public TV, Detroit PBS reaches nearly 4 million visitors on average each month through its websites, YouTube channels and social media platforms. Licensed to Detroit Public Media, Detroit PBS is governed by a volunteer board of trustees representing the local business, civic and cultural communities. For more information, visit DPBS.org

 

CONTACT: Leslie Shepard

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