Kurt Broderson | President
Kurt has been Executive Director of Middlebury Community Television since 2017, succeeding long-time director Dick Thodal. Kurt spent the previous 5 years as Technology Coordinator at MCTV and the Ilsley Public Library, a joint position between the two organizations. A former teacher, Kurt learned video production on the job, eventually teaching Video Production at Green Mountain College until it closed. When not behind the camera, Kurt is an avid skier, as well as soccer coach and referee, or can be found standing on the sidelines supporting his two children.
Christopher Wiersema | Vice President
Christopher Wiersema (he/him) is a Vermont based media artist and educator working in experimental filmmaking, documentary practice, and community media.
Originally from the Chicagoland area, his film and media work has screened internationally and featured on Vermont Public Radio, Kids VT, Town Meeting TV, Indiana Public Media, and Democracy Now! Christopher earned a BA from Columbia College Chicago, a Graduate Certificate in Media Management from The New School, and is an MFA in Film candidate with the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Christopher lives in Montpelier, Vermont, with his partner and their two sons. He is the Executive Director of MRVTV (Mad River Valley Television) in Waitsfield, Director/Instructor with the Vermont Youth Documentary Lab, and serves as Advisory Board Chair with the Green Mountain Film Festival.
.
Jess Wilson | Treasurer
Jess has worked in Community Media since the late 1990’s with her first assignment at Lake Champlain Access Television in Colchester. She has served as an Executive Producer and Channel Director with CCTV/Town Meeting Television, Executive Director of RETN, and is currently the Co-Director of the Media Factory in Burlington. When not supporting community members and non-profits to tell their stories – you’ll find Jess in the Theatre. She’s the co-founder of Saints and Poets Production Company and a member of the sketch comedy troupe Stealing From Work.
Kevin Christopher | Secretary
Before stepping down in 2020, Kevin served on the VAN Board of Directors for 10 years, including a 5-year tenure as its President. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Community Media – Northeast Region. Kevin has worked in Community Media since 1998 and has been the Executive Director of Lake Champlain Access Television in Colchester for nearly 25 years.
Paul Snyder
Executive Director of Northwest Access TV in St. Albans since 2020, Paul is noted for his commitment to live local sports coverage throughout Franklin County.
Johnny Gifford
Johnny Gifford (he/him) has been the Executive Director of Brattleboro Community Television since 2024, before which he led SAPA TV in Springfield, VT. Born in a small Massachusetts town near Boston, he grew up surrounded by community radio & television, earned a degree in film production from Fitchburg State University, and later made community media his career.
Johnny is equally comfortable on camera or behind the scenes, and also enjoys advocating for community media as a means of education, transparency and artistic expression. Outside of work, Johnny is an avid musician, recording, producing, and performing around New England and beyond with various projects. He also serves on the board for WVEW-LP, Brattleboro’s community radio station.
Aimee Parnell
Aimee began making documentary films in 2003, as a Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon, Africa, to bring locally relevant stories to the community she served. She joins SAPA with two decades of experience in community outreach, media, and education, is a certified yoga instructor, and a credentialed elementary school teacher with a B.A. in psychology.
Prior to working at SAPA, Aimee established and directed her own state-licensed, nature-based preschool. In her spare time, Aimee enjoys camping, roller skating, snowboarding with her 7-year-old, watercolor painting, and dancing in the local production of the Nutcracker (while also filming it!). Her favorite place to be is outside in nature with kids because that’s where magic happens!