Norm Silverstein

Norm Silverstein retired from WXXI in 2024, after nearly 30 years of dedicated service at the helm of Rochester’s public media stations.  Under his leadership, WXXI built a reputation for collaboration and community service.  When he joined, it was operating one television station and two radio stations.  Today it operates four public television channels, a cable channel for the City of Rochester, and seven public radio stations.  WXXI acquired the Little Theatre, formed the Rochester Area Media Partners with the purchase of CITY Magazine, and secured an additional FM signal for NPR and WXXI News.  Silverstein established WXXI as a trusted source of news, educational information, and cultural entertainment.  He successfully guided WXXI into the digital age.

Silverstein led the two most successful Capital Campaigns in the history of WXXI.  The 21/21 Vision Campaign in 2004 raised $12 million and the Go Public Campaign in 2016 garnered $18 million.

During his tenure, WXXI has received numerous New York State Broadcasters Association Awards, Telly Awards, New York Emmy Awards, and Edward R. Murrow Awards.  WXXI launched the healthcare TV series, Second Opinion, which ran for 18 seasons on PBS stations across the country.  The station produced numerous documentaries highlighting Rochester's rich history and culture.  One of Silverstein’s proudest accomplishments has been WXXI's national Move to Include™ initiative, a partnership with the Golisano Foundation that uses the power of public media to promote inclusion.  

A recognized leader by public media throughout the country, Silverstein chaired the Association of Public Broadcasting Stations of New York (APBS) and the Finance Committee of the New York State Broadcasters Association.  He is a former board member of America's Public Television Stations (APTS) in Washington, the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, the New York State Council for the Humanities, and the Regional Advisory Board of Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Silverstein was also the past Treasurer of the Board of Greater Public, the only national non-profit organization offering comprehensive development and marketing expertise to public radio and television stations.

Before joining WXXI in 1995, Silverstein served as Senior Vice President of Maryland Public Television (MPT).  He was a broadcast news correspondent in Washington, D.C. and served as Deputy Press Secretary and a senior aide to the Governor of Maryland.