Baltimore County resident and MPT pioneer joins prestigious ‘Gold Circle’of TV industry group

The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS-NCCB) inducted Maryland Public Television (MPT) Senior Vice President George Beneman into its Gold Circle society during a December 7 ceremony in College Park, Maryland. The recognition honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the television industry for more than 50 years.

Beneman, MPT’s chief technology officer, is among 18 individuals who have been inducted into the NATAS-NCCB Gold Circle since the award was established in 2005. This distinguished group includes three other industry contributors with MPT affiliation: Zvi Shoubin (2011); Rhea Feikin (2014); and Lou Davis (2015).

“George was here at the beginning of public television in Maryland 50 years ago,” explained Larry D. Unger, MPT president and chief executive officer. “To say he has had a significant impact on the development and success of MPT would be an understatement. George’s imprint can be found on almost every part of our facility and programming.”

Beneman's responsibilities include oversight of operations and management of a staff of more than 50 artisans who operate studios and post-production facilities, transmission and broadcasting systems, and computer networks. He is also responsible for the statewide TV network’s 135,000 square-foot physical plant, which includes the upcoming $9 million expansion of MPT’s largest production studio plus a new exterior for the Owings Mills headquarters.

In addition, he is an award-winning director and production manager whose credits include such national productions as Wall $treet Week With Louis Rukeyser, Star-Spangled Spectacular: The Bicentennial of our National Anthem, The Jubilee Creation Concert, Terra Our World with Connie Chung, Happy New Year USA!, and On Stage At Wolf Trap.

Beneman began his career in the theatre, serving as technical director at the former Painters Mill Music Fair; as construction and theatre manager for Smithville Music Fair; and as assistant lighting director for the Broadway production of Celebration. Today, he continues to serve as a lighting designer and theatrical design consultant in the region.

He is an alumnus of the New York University School of the Arts Theatre Program and studied business administration at the University of Maryland.

He is a resident of Reisterstown in Baltimore County.

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 five 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.