"Tim is an effective leader that has a proven record of experience and dedication to PBS 39 during his tenure on the board for over 13 years," Simon said. "As we enter this next phase of the PBS 39 Broadcast Center building project, we are thrilled to have Tim at the helm."

Fallon will be heading all facets of the PBS 39 project at SteelStacks set to break ground in Spring 2010, including the capital campaign and oversight of construction management and implementation.

Of his extensive involvement with the SteelStacks project, Fallon said, "I have been integrally involved as a volunteer in the SteelStacks project since its inception more than 7 years ago. From my first trip to Germany to visit former steel plants to today, I have been singularly focused on creating a legacy project on the Southside of Bethlehem that will bring national attention to our beloved Lehigh Valley. I believe now is the time to step up and work fulltime to bring this vision to fruition with our local and state partners."

The 32,000 square foot PBS 39 Broadcast Center will include two television studios outfitted with state-of- the-art HD production and broadcast equipment, fully HD Master Control broadcast booth, and office space that will accommodate a future staff expansion.

"The PBS 39 Broadcast Center at SteelStacks will continue the station's legacy of being a cultural gem for the folks of the Lehigh Valley, western New Jersey and beyond. All of us at PBS 39 are dedicated to the success of the project and look forward to offering expanded educational services and meaningful local productions, as well as broadcast PBS favorites such as Sesame Street, Antiques Roadshow and Masterpiece Theatre," said Rev. Daniel Gambet, President Emeritus of DeSales University and board chair of PBS 39.

Just last week, Governor Rendell stated that, "the SteelStacks project is the most creative reuse of a brownfield anywhere in the United States of America."

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Fallon holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Master's Degree of Administrative Science. Fallon's numerous professional accomplishments include: President and CEO, Wine Gadgets LLC, maker of Wine Saver PRO wine preservations systems (2006- present); former CFO of Holiday Hair, a family-owned chain of 200 plus hair salons; Founding and Managing Director, Team Capital Bank, Bethlehem, PA; Founding and Managing Director, Revere Bank, Laurel, MD; Former Director, Lafayette Ambassador Bank. Additionally, Fallon's contributions to the non- profit sector include: former Board Chair of PBS 39 (2002-2004); former Board Chair of Valley Youth House, former President of the Executive Board of the Minsi Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America; former Board Chair of Lehigh County Historical Society; former National Chair of the Young Alumni Fund, Johns Hopkins University.

Fallon resides in Center Valley and is married to Lesley Holland Fallon, and father to Michaela Fallon.

About PBS 39

PBS 39 is a community-owned public television station licensed to Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, PA, serving eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. Channel 39 is owned and operated by the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation.

"Raising Readers" is available to students from 4-8 years old and their caregivers. Three, two hour workshops are conducted over consecutive weeks and focus on literacy development through hands-on activities and the use of educational and age appropriate media. Student participants receive free books and educational handouts, and parents are engaged with literacy workbooks and guidance from the workshop facilitator.

"Verizon is proud to improve the quality of life for our youth and families in the Lehigh Valley by empowering the community with innovative tools and resources," said Daniel J. Reavy, Director of External Affairs - Verizon Pennsylvania. "We're investing in programs, such as our partnership with PBS 39 to reach every type of learner across the lifespan and to touch people's lives by focusing on education, health and family safety in the 21st Century. We understand that education does not begin or end in the classroom. Visit www.thinkfinity.org to learn more."

Topics covered during the workshops include: suggestions and everyday tips for literacy development in the home, experience using the Learning Triangle, and exposure to educational and age appropriate television as well as how to incorporate this media into the home.

In addition to the three, two hour workshops at the child's school, facilitators follow up with the families for six months to continue encouraging positive literacy development, and rewarding children with free books after completing milestone projects.

Tom Smith, the Literacy coach at Cleveland Elementary School in Allentown, PA said, "In addition to helping parents make intelligent choices, the program brought many parents into the school and made them feel comfortable here. Many of our parents have had negative experiences in their own school history and hesitate to visit the school. This program gave us an opportunity to make them feel welcome and to help them see that we are all working together to help their children."

The mission of "Raising Readers" is to positively impact and increase lifelong learning in students at an early age by providing their caregivers with a basic understanding of how a child develops mentally, physically and academically. This program supports school-based initiatives to include parents and nurture their skills in providing their children with a strong educational foundation. Many caregivers are non-English speaking and are more likely to communicate with the schools in regards to their child's academic progress, after participating in this program.

About PBS 39

PBS 39 is a community-owned public television station licensed to Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, PA, serving eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. Channel 39 is owned and operated by the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation.