Cincinnati Youth Collaborative announces its newest board members joining the CYC family:

Rick Oliver:

Rick Oliver, director of Programming & Station Operations for FOX19, is a well-respected broadcast veteran with many years of experience in many aspects of the industry. Oliver first came to FOX19 in 1976 as a film editor, and in the thirty plus years since, has overseen many of the station’s programming, film and operational functions.  Additionally, during the period when FOX19 was owned by both Metromedia and Malrite Communications, Oliver served as the corporate film director responsible for stations from New York to Puerto Rico.   

Having made his home in the Cincinnati area for many years, Rick is involved and engaged in the community.  He has worked with many local and regional athletic organizations, serving as both a coach and a board member for Bluegrass Baseball.   Rick also serves as chairman of the Media Task Force for the Alliance for a Drug Free Greater Cincinnati.

Rick and his wife, Jerri, live in Union, Kentucky and have two college-age sons, Rainer and Ryan. Rick attended Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky.

Pete Blackshaw:

Pete Blackshaw, whose professional background encompasses public policy, interactive marketing, and brand management, is executive vice president of Digital Strategic Services for Nielsen Online, a new entity combining Nielsen BuzzMetrics, a firm Pete helped co-found, and Nielsen NetRatings. Pete's strategy group works with many of the world's top brands and corporations to develop cohesive, consumer-centered digital programs and strategies. He is author of a recent book by Doubleday entitled "Satisfied Customers Tell Three Friends, Angry Customers Tell 3000: Running a Business in Today's Consumer-Driven World," and writes a bi-weekly column in Advertising Age centered around the book's themes. A former award-winning interactive marketing leader at P&G and founder of consumer feedback portal PlanetFeedback.com, Pete co-founded the Word-of-Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) and authors several blogs including ConsumerGeneratedMedia.com.  He was recently elected chairman of the Board of the National Council of Better Business Bureau, and that capacity also sits on the National Advertising Review Council. He was recently awarded one of three "industry achievement awards" by Ad-Tech, one of the industry's largest conferences.  He advises a host of non-profit organizations on digital strategy, including the United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Pete, his wife Erika, and three children live in Cincinnati. Pete is a graduate of Harvard Business School and the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Rolonda Y. Smith:

Rolonda Yevonne Smith was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She’s a proud graduate of Cincinnati Public Schools. After high school she went on to further her education at the University of Cincinnati where she earned her Associate of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science. Rolonda completed her graduate studies at Northern Kentucky University; there she earned her Master of Public Administration.  

Rolonda has always had a passion for working with children and families. She’s spent the last fifteen years working for the betterment of our youth. She has worked for Lighthouse Youth Services, Hamilton County Educational Service Center and currently leads the efforts of Parents for Public Schools of Greater Cincinnati.

She recognizes the importance of involving parents in every aspect of education. She serves on several Student Success Networks in the community to ensure the parent voice is at the table.

Rolonda is also an active volunteer in the community. Her experiences include past board member of Parents for Public Schools, mentor for the Konnect Program, Sunday Teacher and Sunday School Department Superintendent at Soul Winning Church of God.

Rolonda resides in Mt. Healthy with her husband, Michael.