Press Releases

Minneapolis/St. Paul (WCCO) ― WCCO TV/Emma Bowen mentees Michelle Redberg and Cole Premo joined WCCO TV as full –time employees, it was announced today by Susan Adams Loyd, WCCO TV Vice President and General Manager. Both have completed their respective college studies, the five-year Emma Bowen Mentee program and the WCCO TV program successfully. Redberg has been named Business Development and Research Coordinator, Sales, while Premo signs on as Web Producer, New Media.

"Michelle and Cole have spent the last several years absorbing the television industry and journalism profession," said Loyd. "While combining their education and talent, both have made significant contributions to our station and CBS Corporation. We are honored and proud to welcome them both as full-time employees, and we are anxious to further tap into their skills as expert representatives of our community."

The Emma Bowen Foundation for Minority Interests in the Media was created in 1989 to prepare minority youth for careers in the media industry. The Foundation's program differs from other internship programs in that students "partner" with companies beginning their junior year in high school. They spend summers and school breaks working with those companies through college graduation. During the program, students have an opportunity to learn the organization and work, gained specific skills, while companies are able to mentor and train these students in preparation for fulltime employment at the end of the program, at the students' option.

"I recall meeting Cole and Michelle for the first time when they started in the program as young high school graduates. To see them both now as confident professionals is a testament to their own efforts, the wonderful training and mentoring provided by the staff at WCCO and CBS, and, we hope, the support of the Foundation's supplemental programs", said Phyllis Eagle-Oldson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Emma L. Bowen Foundation. "There is a clear need for diverse talent and diverse perspectives in our industry. Programs like the Emma Bowen Foundation, with the strong support of our corporate partners, help to provide opportunities and training for people of color so that our news and content reflect the changing demographics of our communities. We are very proud of Michelle and Cole and look forward to following their careers! "

Premo and Redberg were two of four students who joined the program in 2004. Led by Kiki Rosatti, WCCO TV Director of Communications and Content, the initiative received full backing from the stations' parent company.

"We are fortunate to have not only the support, but the encouragement of CBS to join forces with the Emma Bowen Foundation to create this program," Rosatti said. "It has been both a privilege and an honor to work with these students for the past five years. They are extraordinary people and their contributions have already been great. I am thrilled beyond belief that they are now part of our station team. I look forward to working with them as colleagues now. I know they will have a positive impact on our overall product as well as help us build even stronger relationships with our Native American community."

Redberg and Premo assumed their new duties at WCCO TV in late June.

WCCO TV is part of the CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.

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