Staten Island Community Television Press Release March 7, 2022
SI CTV Board Announces new Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the Staten Island Community Television (SICTV) is pleased to announce that effective December 27, 2021, they have welcomed Jennifer Sammartino as the new Executive Director.
Staten Island Community Television (SICTV) was founded in 1983 as a result of a franchise agreement between the city of New York and Staten Island Cable (now Spectrum). Permanently opened in 1988, SICTV is organized as a not-for-profit corporation under IRS Code 501C3 and currently has a board of directors appointed by the Borough President of Staten Island. SICTV
provides local programming created by the wide variety of individuals, groups and organizations within the community.
Jennifer Sammartino is a lifelong Staten Islander and a graduate of Staten Island Technical High School and the College of Staten Island. She began her career as a journalist with the Staten Island Advance and has worked with several organizations on the Island, including Richmond University Medical Center. She served as Public Information Officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System before joining the team of Borough President James Oddo in 2014 as Director of Communications and External Affairs. She also served as the first Director of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for BP Oddo and then served as his Deputy Chief of Staff until 2021.
"We are extremely excited to have Jen be a part of our team at SICTV. Her years of experience and relationships with the cultural organizations and the non-profit community here on Staten Island will only help increase our content and bring more awareness to our goals here at SICTV,” said SICTV Board President Maria Esposito.
“I’m thrilled to join SICTV,” said Ms. Sammartino. “The opportunity for quality content, story telling and growth is endless on Staten Island. There is no shortage of talent here and certainly no shortage of ideas. While we continue to expand our reach by educating the public on our production training services, we will also expand our content with new ideas and engage youth. The skills taught at SICTV are a boon to anyone who is looking at the media industry as a career.”
Ms. Sammartino is committed to expanding SICTV’s reach into local schools, youth sports, and fresh, new shows. In addition, she has hired a new Technical Director whose responsibility is to inventory all equipment and make upgrades, including HD, where needed. David Gonzalez joined the team on January 4.
David Gonzalez is a Staten Islander who began his career with Crews N Production, where he learned how to be a grip, lighting, and ENG equipment. He has worked on MTV, Court TV, and Entertainment Tonight shoots. David’s skills then led him to work with Direct Broadcast services, such as CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and New York One. David has covered some of the most exciting news over the last 20 years due to his microwave, satellite, and portable transmission expertise. From 2019 through 2021, David served as a truck operator with WPIX 11.
SICTV is committed to educating the public and is pleased to offer training to Staten Island Residents or individuals affiliated with Staten Island based Not-For-Profit Organizations. Volunteers, who assume all responsibility for materials submitted for cablecast, produce programming from start to finish. Trainings are ongoing, year-round. To learn more or register for training, please visit sictv.org
In addition, CTV looks forward to being able to welcome class trips very soon. For more information, please call 718-727-1414.
ABOUT CTV
Staten Island Community Television (SICTV) was founded in 1983 as a result of a franchise agreement between the city of New York and Staten Island Cable (now Spectrum). Permanently opened in 1988, SICTV is organized as a not-for-profit corporation under IRS Code 501C3 and currently has a board of directors appointed by the Borough President of Staten Island.
CTV Channels provide local programming created by the wide variety of individuals, groups and organizations within a community.
SICTV provides comprehensive television production training for eligible community members. Eligible members are defined as Staten Island Residents or individuals affiliated with Staten Island based Not-For-Profit Organizations. Volunteers, who assume all responsibility for materials submitted for cablecast, produce programming from start to finish. Access to channel space is on a First-Come, First-Served Basis. Equipment and channel usage is free of charge to eligible community members.