Our Someone 2 Know is Nevada native Dave Santina.
Santina left the state only briefly to attend college and upon returning, landed a job at PBS Reno - an independent public television station. As Director of Local Content, he helps shape the programming that serves Central and Northern Nevada and Northeastern California.
We caught up with Dave in the PBS Reno studio as he was preparing to tape a new program.
"This is Wild Nevada-Cast," Santina says into the mic, as host of a podcast based on the TV station's popular and long-running travel destination series called “WILD NEVADA".
The show was launched in December of 2000, the idea to launch a podcast version is brand new.
"It's new to me, I know it's not new to the world,” smiles Dave, “but it's new to me and new to this organization."
Santina says he loves bringing new challenges to his work.
"It's fun telling stories, it's fun meeting people and learning about people and sharing their stories."
Santina learned the art of storytelling for broadcast while in college. "Arizona State, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Telecommunication." After graduation, Santina came back to northern Nevada and landed a job with PBS Reno - known then as Channel 5 KNPB.
"The first work I did was Master Control, which is essentially putting everything that is going on television - on television. So, you know you'd push a button and it would play a tape and then five seconds later that tape would be put onto the air."
That was 35 years ago. PBS Reno has evolved over the years and so has Dave, which brings us back to the new podcast.
"I've seen you come out of a cave,” shares Dave with his podcast guest. On this episode, Santina interviews 2 News Nevada’s own meteorologist Jeff Martinez about something they share in common - exploring Nevada’s great outdoors.
"That's what I love to do share all the beauty around here,” agrees Martinez.
That sentiment - and the podcast - very much reflect the mission and vision of PBS Reno; a public broadcasting station.
"The goal is not to make a profit,” clarifies Santina, “The goal is to provide some content that can enhance the lives of the people of this community and beyond, if possible."
As for how his career - and PBS Reno - will continue to progress, Santina says he's intrigued about the prospects.
“I'm open minded about it and excited and now I'm just ready to learn."
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If you would like to learn more about PBS RENO - or how to watch the programming and podcasts, click the link here – https://www.pbsreno.org/
