After years in the financial world, Larry Unger took a chance joining Maryland Public Television ? and he?s never looked back.
Executive vice president and chief operating officer of MPT in Baltimore, Unger is helping to lead the state-sponsored station in a rapidly evolving electronics age. Earlier this week, MPT launched “V-me,” a digital 24-hour Spanish channel to supplement what is offered on the traditional station. And while helping MPT with programming breakthroughs is a rewarding part of his job, Unger says, it?s not the best part.
“You feel like you are doing something that?s important to the community,” said Unger, 59. “And while I?ve enjoyed my work before … it?s nothing like this.”
One of the largest hurdles that Unger is guiding MPT through is the transition to all-digital broadcasts in 2009. Once this happens, every channel will be digitally delivered to television sets. This not only requires the stations to make transitions, but it opens doors for leaders like Unger who have a vision of the future. With the traditional MPT channel available and access to V-me increasing, Unger?s current project ? which is still under development ? would be a Maryland channel.
Through this channel, programming would include General Assembly and Board of Public Works meetings, high school sport finals and important local speakers.
Unger?s job also presents plenty of challenges. Most viewers don?t realize that MPT also has an education-oriented Web site, thinkport.org. The station has received a $15 million federal grant to develop science, technology, education and math games. And the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is helping MPT develop a new math product.
Not only staying on the cutting edge, but also looking toward the future has helped make Unger successful.
“I?ve known Larry since he worked in the financial industry, and many people in the field sometimes have trouble seeing theforest from the trees, but not Larry,” said Alan Mogol, a partner with Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver. “He does a great job of taking what he does and applying it to the [big picture].”
LARRY D. UNGER
» First job: “Pop?s Toy Store” at Christmas when I was 14.
» Education/credentials: Associate?s degree in financing from University of Baltimore and bachelor?s degree in finance from University of Baltimore and Stonier Graduate School of Banking
» Daily e-mails received: 50 to 100
» Daily voicemails received: Very few, I answer my own phone.
» Favorite gadget: I have a love/hate relationship with my BlackBerry Pearl and the Bluetooth setup in my car.
» Career objective: To be able to leave an organization better than when I found it.
» Essential Web sites: mpt.org, thinkport.org, pbs.org and cnn.org.
» Hometown: Baltimore
» Birth date: March 26, 1948
» Original aspiration: Financial executive
» Sports/hobbies: Antique cars, travel, boating and mostly grandchildren
