Biography of Peter W. Morrill

Peter W. Morrill has been General Manager for Idaho Public Television since 1996. During his 30-year career in the media, Morrill has actively supported and defended the role of public broadcasting: to enlighten, to entertain, and to serve those not otherwise served by mainstream media.

Among Mr. Morrill's accomplishments, he has overseen IdahoPTV's planning, fundraising and implementation of the statewide network's $22 million conversion to digital television. Despite having one of the smallest budgets for a statewide network, under his leadership the station has had a robust local production effort that has received more than 50 national and local awards of excellence including four regional Emmy awards, seven regional Emmy nominations, and two New York Film Festival awards this past year.

Mr. Morrill is currently serving a three year term on both the Board of Directors of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and as Secretary and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). In October 2005, he concluded a two-year term as the Co-Chairman of the Organization of State Broadcast Executives (OSBE), during which he was a founding member of the Affinity Group Coalition (AGC). In addition, Mr. Morrill serves on the boards of the University of Idaho School of Journalism and Mass Media, as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Idaho State Broadcasters Association, and Anser Charter School, Inc.

Mr. Morrill was born and raised in Connecticut and attended Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, where he graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He has worked in various production and management capacities for WBGU-TV (PBS), Bowling Green, Ohio (1978-1979); Idaho Public Television (1979-1986); WUFT-TV (PBS), Gainesville, Florida (1986-1989); and Idaho Public Television (1989-Present).

Mr. Morrill has been honored with awards of distinction including the Intellectual Freedom Award, American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho (2002); National Advocacy Award, America's Public Television Stations (2002); Grass Roots Award, America's Public Television Stations (1999); and the United Nations Human Rights Day Award, Idaho Voices of Faith (1999).

Peter and his wife, Linda Olson, have a thirteen-year-old daughter, Sadie. On most weekends you'll find them skiing, playing tennis, rafting, road biking, or running in the Idaho outdoors.

Updated: December 4, 2007