For Immediate Release
June 26, 2008
NORMAN R. BOBINS ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OF WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Chicago, IL - The Board of Trustees of Window to the World Communications, Inc. (WWCI) has elected Norman R. Bobins Chairman of the Board, succeeding Sandra P. Guthman, who served for the past six years. WWCI is parent company of WTTW11, the most watched public television station in America, and 98.7WFMT, Chicago's sole classical music radio station.
"We are honored that Norm has agreed to take on this vital position," said Dan Schmidt, President and CEO of WWCI. "His active participation in so many of the city's civic and cultural institutions and his numerous prestigious awards are a reflection of his commitment to making Chicago a better place. WTTW and WFMT share that dedication and we are looking forward to his leadership," he added.
Among his many contributions during the past nine years as a valued member of WWCI's Board of Trustees, Mr. Bobins co-chaired the first annual Celebrate the American Song gala, generously shared his considerable expertise and experience with the Board's Finance Committee and was instrumental in making the company's first capital campaign a success.
"I have been very proud to be a part of an organization that has meant so much to this city and whose quality programs continue to enrich the lives of millions of Chicagoans," said Mr. Bobins. "I am excited to work even more closely with this dedicated and accomplished board and am eager to see what else we can achieve as I begin this new role," he added.
Mr. Bobins is chairman emeritus of LaSalle Bank Corporation and former senior executive vice president of the Dutch parent, ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Active in numerous civic organizations, Mr. Bobins was honored with the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith Distinguished Service Award in 1982. Other awards include the American Jewish Committee's 1992 Human Rights Medallion, the National REIA Fall Conference's 1995 Wexler Award, the 1997 Keshet Rainbow Award, the 1997 CANDO Person of the Year Award, the 1998 Midtown Educational Foundation Reach for Excellence Award, the DePaul University 1999 Business Leadership Award, the 2000 Harold Washington College Business Professional of the Year Award, the 2000 Jane Addams Hull House Medal, the 2001 Southwest Organizing Project Anti-Predatory Lending Award, the Boys & Girls Clubs 2002 Chairman's Award, the 2003 University of Chicago Graduate School of Business' Distinguished Corporate Alumnus Award, the 2003 Association for Corporate Growth's Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2003 Cincotta NHS Neighborhood Partnership Award, the 2004 Arts Legend Award for an Advocate from the Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation, the 2005 Harvard Business School Club of Chicago Business Statesman Award, and the 2006 Corporate Visionary Award from El Valor. In 2006, Mr. Bobins was the Honoree at the Old St. Patrick's Church 21st Annual Emerald Ball and, in 2007, he received the National Museum of Mexican Art Arthur Velasquez Corporate Service Award, the Dominican University Bravo Award, the Jewish Child and Family Services Sidney Berkowitz Award, the RSM McGladrey Lifetime Achievement Award and The Lincoln Academy of Illinois' highest award, the Order of Lincoln.
Mr. Bobins is the former Chairman of the Board at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and of the Illinois Business Roundtable. He serves on the Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago, and is on the board of directors of The Economic Club of Chicago. In addition, he is a past president and a current member of the Banker's Club of Chicago. In addition, he is vice chairman of the Auditorium Theatre Board, and a member of the board of directors of the Terra Foundation for American Art and the Children's Brain Research Foundation. He continues to serve as a member of the Board of Education of the City of Chicago, where he was re-appointed in June 2006 to a fourth, four-year term.
In addition to his involvement with WWCI, he is a member of the board of trustees of The Field Museum, The Newberry Library, and The Art Institute of Chicago. He is also a Life Member of the Council on the Graduate School of Business at The University of Chicago and serves on the board of Spertus College. In May of 2008, Mr. Bobins was appointed by President Bush to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
His corporate involvement includes the board of directors of Global Hyatt Corporation, Nicor, Inc., AAR CORP., a directorship at RREEF America REIT II, Inc., as well as serving as a director of Sims Metal Management. He is Non-Executive Chairman of the board of Transco, Inc.
Mr. Bobins begins his term as Chairman effective immediately. He and his wife, Virginia, reside in Chicago.
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