Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne) - Honorary Chair - FNX Development Steering Committee
One of 44 Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and U.S. Air Force veteran (Korea), Senator Campbell served in the United States Senate for 12 years and in the House of Representatives for six. In the 108th Congress, the Senator was senior member on several Senate Committees and the first American Indian to chair the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. A former Olympian (judo), the Senator graduated from San Jose State University and attended Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan.
Rico Garcia - (San Manuel Band of Mission Indians) - FNX Operations Board Member
An enrolled member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Rico J. Garcia is a thirty-year old entrepreneur, art collector, and philanthropist. Beginning with his first business as an art gallery owner at the age of twenty-two, his current business ventures are in the creative, entertainment, fashion, and Native financial sectors. Aside from being an Operating Board Member of FNX, Mr. Garcia is a Foundation Board Member of PBS SoCal.
Malcom S. McNeil - Financial Development Steering Committee
Malcolm S. McNeil focuses his practice in litigation issues for a wide variety of businesses including those dealing with venture capital formation, retailing, textiles, manufacturing, import/export, real estate investment, aviation and publishing. He has participated in cross-border negotiations and has an established network of colleagues throughout the globe available to assist clients in foreign countries as needs arise. Malcolm’s practice has included representation of clients in most forums, including a range of administrative forums, statewide and nationally. Malcolm serves as a chair of the firm's International Practice Group.
Gene Wood - FNX Operations Board Member
Banking luminary, Gene Wood brings 45 years of financial expertise to FNX. Highlighting his career are expanding Valley Bank from 7 to 52 branches throughout California, serving on the Board of Directors for ICB Financial, working with Security Pacific Bank (now Bank of America) and financially leading a large local supermarket chain in defeating a hostile takeover.
Celeste Worl - (Tlingit) - FNX Development Steering Committee Member
Renowned artist activist, Celeste Worlis Tlingit from Klukwan, Alaska,is a member of the Shangukweidi (Thunderbird) Clan,Kawdiyaayi Hit: “House Lowered from the Sun”, LukwaxadiYadi,(Child of the Sockeye Clan). A graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts, Celeste has, for 12 years, been Ambassador for Sealaska Heritage Institute.
Cheryl Alexander - Traffic Coordinator
Cheryl Alexander’s journey with the FNX/KVCR family began in 2011 as a volunteer Broadcast Operator in Master Control. She currently works as a Traffic Coordinator for FNX. Her professional background includes working as a Technical Trainer, Financial Aid Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant specializing in Multimedia and Broadcast promotions, giving her ten years of experience in the field. Cheryl is also a student at San Bernardino Valley College. She’s working towards her Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Technology.
Frank Blanquet - (Mayan) - Producer / Director
Frank Blanquet grew up in the humble heart of Hollywood, California just a few blocks from the walk of fame. Of Mayan Indian ancestry, Frank’s parents migrated to the United States from Merida, Yucatan. He was an extraordinary artist since birth, a musician early on and has been surrounded by wonderful story tellers his entire life. He has been able to combine all of his talents into an elaborate career as a multiple award winning writer, producer, director and editor. He is a passionate and dedicated film maker whose youth and energy compliment his versatility, experience and production background. He’s been a constant creative force for FNX since its conceptualization helping to bring its vision and impending success to the screen for all of us to see.
Ben Holland - Program Manager
Ben Holland is the Program Manager for KVCR and also helps out with programming and operations for FNX. He was born in Massachusetts, grew up in Placentia, California and currently resides in San Bernardino. He has worked at KVCR since 1995. Ben has a Bachelors degree in radio / television from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is married (no kids yet) and enjoys video games, golf, skydiving, movies and flying. Ben has a commercial pilot’s license and a skydiving license.
Dawn Jackson - (Saginaw Chippewa) - Cultural Insight and Community Research
Over 20 years, Ms. Jackson has served as Manager, Global Strategies for Diversity & Inclusion for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Executive Director, American Indian National Center for TV & Film – ABC Prospect Studios; and Los Angeles City/County American Indian Commissioner. A partner and producer with Red-Horse Native Productions, her credits include Naturally Native, True Whispers, Choctaw Code Talkers. Jackson is also a celebrated fine artist and painter.
Art Macalma - Editor/Production Team
One of the most versatile members on staff, Art Macalma is an editor, and cameraman, as well as a director, and working screenwriter. Born in the Philippines and raised in California, Art brings over 7 years of film and television experience to the FNX team. A man of many talents, Art’s creativity, passion, and dedication to the field, adds to the station’s already amazing group of industry professionals.
Jeff McCumber - Motion Graphics Artist
Jeffrey McCumber spent most of his youth creating stop-motion animations with his toys and working on his computer. A recent graduate of the Art Institute of California – Inland Empire with a BS in Media Arts and Animation, Jeff brings his knowledge of animation software to the FNX team, working closely with motion graphic interns in the creation of on-air graphics.
Jerry Rathbun - Director, Engineering and Technology
With more than thirty years of experience with government, ABC, NBC, and PBS affiliates, Mr. Rathbun joins FNX with certifications by the Society of Broadcast Engineers as a Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer, Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist, and a Certified 8-VSB Specialist. Mr. Rathbun is a graduate of Alfred State College where he studied Industrial Technology - Electronic Specialization.
Terria Smith is an award-winning journalist who has been a member of the Native American Journalists Association since 2005. Through reporting for news outlets - including The Desert Sun, Ventura County Star, KALW-FM, and NPR West - she has told stories in multiple formats. Smith earned her M.A. in journalism from the University of California Berkeley and her B.A. from Humboldt State University. She is also alumnus of the Chips Quinn Scholars Program and American Indian Journalism Institute.
Karen Tallman brings her 15+ banking experience to FNX coupled with extensive office administration and HR Generalist skills. Karen has served as a member of many charitable organizations, and continues to always lend a helping hand whenever the need arises. Karen’s passion for this channel has driven her to learn as much as she can about the many Tribal cultures we encounter, and hopes to one day tell her grandchildren that she was a part of history.
Joshua Zunie - Zuni Tribe – Acquisitions / Buyer
Joshua Zunie brings a collective 7 years of entertainment experience working on four NBC Universal TV shows: In Plain Sight, Law & Order: Los Angeles, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, & Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where he learned production management, TV budgets/schedules, & casting. He graduated with a B.A. in Business Economics from Colorado College in 2004 & in 2008 graduated with his M.F.A. in TV/film Producing from Chapman University. Josh started his career working at internships with a talent agency, Brass Artist & Associates, learning talent deals, & at a TV/film distribution company Arclight Films, learning how to package film deals. Soon after, he worked with the president & vice-president of American Cinema International doing TV/film Sales, learning financing, license contracts, collections, and international markets such as Cannes, Berlin Film Festival, and the American Film Market. His favorite TV show is Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Tina Osceola - FNX Operations Board Member
Tina presently service as the Secretary, Board of Directors for the Native American Tribal Energy Association www.indianenergy, all the while managing her native-owned insurance service provider specializing in tribal government and enterprise insurance products. Additionally, she runs Tina M. Osceola Consulting, Inc. Prior to that, Tina was the Chief Historic Resources Officer for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, where she developed strategies to protect and promote tribal sovereignty. Tina started her career as Public Affairs Supervisor for the Collier County Sheriff’s Office where she coordinated the media relations and external affairs for the agency.
