The Board of Directors is committed to achieving the mission of MACTA, serving the best interests of its members, ensuring the continued involvement of our communities in the future of advanced telecommunications, promoting PEG Access and programming, and engaging in partnerships that benefit mutual concerns and issues. We are grateful to the elected and appointed officials, and affiliated agencies and organizations who support the goals and work of MACTA.

President

Eric Strouse

CTN Coon Rapids
Term expires December 31, 2027

Eric is the Station Manager at CTN (City of Coon Rapids) and has worked there for 30+ years. He has been managing the small but very successful cable station known for local sports/event coverage as well as news and special feature programming. CTN Studios has been honored with multiple awards over the years, including Midwest Emmy, ACM Hometown, and NATOA Government Programming Awards. Eric's background also includes five years of producing and directing sports and events at the local origination station (KABL). He also freelanced as an EVS replay operator for college hockey, NHL, and NBA games for Fox Sports over the years. In addition, Eric worked as a master control operator for KVPT, the PBS affiliate in Fresno, CA. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in telecommunications from Penn State University.

Vice President

Carmen Hauck

Town Square Television
Term expires December 31, 2026

Carmen has worked for the Northern Dakota County Cable Communications Commission and Town Square Television, as a Government Producer, since 2003. During that time, she has helped produce hundreds of hours of Government programming, including City Government meetings, Election coverage, and many other shows with elected officials, from School Board members to State officials. She also produces the show, Community Parks Connection, and is a reporter and photographer for the award-winning news magazine, Insight 7. In addition to video production work, Carmen designs graphics for TV, online, and print communications and manages social media applications and the Town Square Television website at www.townsquare.tv.Insert your text here

Treasurer

Dave Kiser

CCX Media
Term expires December 31, 2026

Dave has worked at CCX Media in a wide variety of roles since 1986 and is currently the Executive Director. Over the years Dave has worked in, and managed, the events staff, news staff, promotions, sales, city programming, and master control operations. Dave has coordinated the meetings of the Metro Cable Sports Producers Group in conjunction with the MSHSL for over 25 years. In recent years Dave has led CCX Media through the establishment of a new vision and mission statement for the organization, a new brand identity, plus 10-year target goals.Insert your text here

Secretary

Mike Bremer

Hastings TV
Term expires December 31, 2026

Mike has served as the Executive Director at HCTV for 5 years where he has always stayed within the confines of an ever constricting budget. Before that he served as Program Director and Executive Producer for 10 years at HCTV. He produces an award winning comedy show that promotes local businesses called "Take a Hike, Mike!" Mike has been a panel speaker at MACTA and NATOA conferences, sharing information on topics that include live-streaming on a budget, and tech tips. He volunteer as a video producer at a small non-profit in St. Paul called The Safe City Project that non-profit provides safe sober community for at-risk youth and young adults.

Director at Large

Karen George

Quad Cities Cable Communications Commission
Term expires December 31, 2027

Karen George is a communications professional with forty years of experience in California and Minnesota ranging from television reporter, communications director for city government, communications and marketing professional for a school district, and currently as an executive director. In Karen's current leadership role at Quad Cities Cable Communications Commission and QCTV, she is responsible for representing the cities of Andover, Anoka, Champlin, and Ramsey in telecommunications policy and regulation, overseeing the programming of seven local cable channels with livestream and VOD, and managing a video production facility.

Director at Large

Ann Schweisguth

TrueLens Community Media
Term expires December 31, 2027

Ann is passionate about community media for its ability to connect people, amplify local voices, and strengthen civic engagement, and is honored to support that mission as a MACTA board member. With more than 25 years at SWCTC, she brings extensive experience in government production, leadership, and a deep understanding of the evolution of community media. In 2025 Ann helped create Minnesota's first broadband franchise for the City of Woodbury and understands the financial challenges facing our P.E.G. community. She values collaboration, transparency, and hard work.

Director at Large

Sam Temple

Faribault Community Television
Term expires December 31, 2026

Sam serves as the Director of Advancement for Faribault Community Television. Previously, Sam worked as the Station Manager for Northfield Public Broadcasting. He operates a small business, Steamboat Media Company, which has nonprofit clients ranging from library philanthropy to Indigenous arts organizations. He lives in Faribault with his wife, daughter, four orange cats, and one bearded dragon.

MACTA Office Management

Christine Strak, MA, CMP

AdminBrandingBox Management
info@mactamn.org

2026 Committees

Committee participation is open to all members. Please contact the committee chair or the MACTA office if you would like to join a committee.

Communications

Ann Schweisguth - Co-Chair (TrueLens)
Bob McSherry - Co-Chair (TrueLens)

Conference

Scott Denfeld - Co-Chair (Edina)
Eric Strouse - Co-Chair (CTN Coon Rapids)
Carmen Hauck - (Town Square)
Janine Hill - (City of Bloomington)
Shannon Slatton Schwartz - (CCX)
Christine Strak - (Administrator)

Legislative

Karen George - Co-Chair (QCTV)
Sam Temple - Co-Chair (City of Northfield)
Shannon Slatton Schwartz - Co-Chair (CCX)
Dave Kiser - (CCX)
Mike Bremer - (Hastings TV)

Membership

Eric Strouse - Chair (CTN Coon Rapids)
Mike Bremer - (Hastings TV)
Dave Kiser - (CCX)
Sam Temple - (City of Northfield)

PEG

Carmen Hauck - Chair (Town Square)
Dan Carpenter - (Edina/SWSCC)
Scott Denfeld - (Edina)
Brian Schmidt - (SWCTC)
Eric Strouse -(CTN Coon Rapids)
Jermaine Wheeler - (City of St. Louis Park)