Maryland Public Television (MPT) has announced the promotion of Erin Chrest to the position of managing director, Major & Planned Giving, within MPT’s Development Division. Chrest had served as interim head of that team since February. In her new role, she oversees MPT’s ongoing comprehensive campaign as well as manages grants, annual leadership giving, and planned giving activities.

Chrest joined MPT in 2013 as director of Major & Planned Giving. In this role, she developed MPT’s Legacy Society for planned giving donors and increased membership steadily in the annual giving Leadership Society. She also increased funds raised through face-to-face solicitation of major and planned gifts, as well as maintained and developed friends and donors for MPT.

Prior to joining MPT, Chrest spent nine years in increasingly responsible development positions at the Maryland Institute College of Art, including five years as the institution’s director of stewardship.

Chrest graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She also earned a master’s degree from Appalachian State University.

She is originally from Point Pleasant, W.Va. and lives in Baltimore.

About MPT

Launched in 1969 and headquartered in Owings Mills, MD, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). MPT’s six transmitters cover Maryland plus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards, MPT creates local, regional, and national television shows. Beyond broadcast, MPT’s commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through year-round instructional events and the super-website Thinkport, which garners in excess of 14 million page views annually. MPT’s community engagement connects viewers with local resources on significant health, education, and public interest topics through year-round outreach events, viewer forums, program screenings, and phone bank call-in opportunities. For more information visit mpt.org.