Liz Spencer received her B.A. Communication from Hope College and a M.S. in Communication Management from Northwestern University. She spent 15 years in television and cable television before joining NCTV17. She is the Executive Director of Naperville Community Television, Channel 17.
Here is what Liz says about her job and how she landed at NCTV in 2002[MH1] .
Q: Tell us about NCTV 17.
A: NCTV17 is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a nonprofit television station delivering hyper-local television coverage of the people, places and perspectives that matter to Naperville residents. We cover local elections, put you curbside at parades, and bring you a wide variety of community events, including band concerts, award shows, and Naperville’s very own game show, Game On! We also produce many weekly and monthly programs, including news and sports.
Since 2007, NCTV17 has covered both news and high school sports with our weekly newscast Naperville News 17 and Naperville Sports Weekly (NSW). Just this year, we launched “Naperville Now,” a two-minute news update that gets dropped in your email at lunchtime. You can sign up at www.nctv17.com/.
We’ve spent the last 30 years capturing the spirit, character, and experience of our community through engaging video storytelling. Naperville’s growth, and the changing way we engage with the world around us, has created an even greater need for NCTV17 to keep our community connected by sharing our stories.
Tune in to Channel 17 on Comcast, WOW!, or Channel 99 on AT&T. You can also view our programming via live streaming at NCTV17.com. For daily news updates and sports highlights, sign up for Naperville Now. You can also visit our YouTube channels, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
Q: Your background includes both cable and broadcast television. What do you enjoy most about your profession?
A: My journey in TV started with my work as a producer for children’s programming in the late 80’s and I moved into talk shows as well as news, sports, and live event production before NCTV17. I think what I like most about the profession is the variety of people and stories I am able to tell.
Q: What is your top goal for NCTV 17?
A: When people describe all the amenities that Naperville has available to its residents I want NCTV17 to be included in the top ten! How many communities have a television station dedicated to all it does.
Q: What would you say are the three top skills necessary to successfully lead an organization?
A: First of all: Passion. I am passionate about telling stories. The trick is to take that passion and communicate and organize a plan for my team to keep the process moving and the station growing. Finally, it’s teamwork because television is a team sport. You can’t do it alone. Even if you could, what fun would that be?
Q: What advice would you give for other women in business?
A: Television is a lifestyle--not a job. It’s 24/7 so life/work balance is very challenging, especially in the news industry. You will need a supportive spouse and family in order to make it a career for a lifetime.
Q: What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned along the way?
A: I have loved learning all about Naperville’s history and its people. It has taught me that something small can grow into something much bigger. We witness this every day when we walk on the Riverwalk, or enjoy Ribfest or Last Fling. The many things that are truly the fabric of Naperville all started from an idea, then grew out of the hard work and dedication of average residents like you and me.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I like to run with friends or ride on the many bike routes around town.
Q: Tell us one thing most people don't know about you.
A: I have a twin brother who is an architect and lives in San Francisco, CA
Q. What’s your favorite thing to do in Naperville?
A: Having dinner with friends at one of the many great restaurants in town.
By Robin Boggs Choquette, Psy.D.
Elite Performance Counseling, Inc.
https://www.facebook.com/ElitePerformanceCounseling/
Elite Performance Counseling provides psychological services to individuals from preteen through older adulthood in individual psychotherapy, family therapy (including parenting strategies), couple’s therapy, and skill seminars. In addition, Dr. Choquette consults with a specialized emphasis on performance enhancement for athletes, performing artists, musicians, and executives.
Here is what Liz says about her job and how she landed at NCTV in 2002[MH1] .
Q: Tell us about NCTV 17.
A: NCTV17 is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a nonprofit television station delivering hyper-local television coverage of the people, places and perspectives that matter to Naperville residents. We cover local elections, put you curbside at parades, and bring you a wide variety of community events, including band concerts, award shows, and Naperville’s very own game show, Game On! We also produce many weekly and monthly programs, including news and sports.
Since 2007, NCTV17 has covered both news and high school sports with our weekly newscast Naperville News 17 and Naperville Sports Weekly (NSW). Just this year, we launched “Naperville Now,” a two-minute news update that gets dropped in your email at lunchtime. You can sign up at www.nctv17.com/.
We’ve spent the last 30 years capturing the spirit, character, and experience of our community through engaging video storytelling. Naperville’s growth, and the changing way we engage with the world around us, has created an even greater need for NCTV17 to keep our community connected by sharing our stories.
Tune in to Channel 17 on Comcast, WOW!, or Channel 99 on AT&T. You can also view our programming via live streaming at NCTV17.com. For daily news updates and sports highlights, sign up for Naperville Now. You can also visit our YouTube channels, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
Q: Your background includes both cable and broadcast television. What do you enjoy most about your profession?
A: My journey in TV started with my work as a producer for children’s programming in the late 80’s and I moved into talk shows as well as news, sports, and live event production before NCTV17. I think what I like most about the profession is the variety of people and stories I am able to tell.
Q: What is your top goal for NCTV 17?
A: When people describe all the amenities that Naperville has available to its residents I want NCTV17 to be included in the top ten! How many communities have a television station dedicated to all it does.
Q: What would you say are the three top skills necessary to successfully lead an organization?
A: First of all: Passion. I am passionate about telling stories. The trick is to take that passion and communicate and organize a plan for my team to keep the process moving and the station growing. Finally, it’s teamwork because television is a team sport. You can’t do it alone. Even if you could, what fun would that be?
Q: What advice would you give for other women in business?
A: Television is a lifestyle--not a job. It’s 24/7 so life/work balance is very challenging, especially in the news industry. You will need a supportive spouse and family in order to make it a career for a lifetime.
Q: What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned along the way?
A: I have loved learning all about Naperville’s history and its people. It has taught me that something small can grow into something much bigger. We witness this every day when we walk on the Riverwalk, or enjoy Ribfest or Last Fling. The many things that are truly the fabric of Naperville all started from an idea, then grew out of the hard work and dedication of average residents like you and me.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I like to run with friends or ride on the many bike routes around town.
Q: Tell us one thing most people don't know about you.
A: I have a twin brother who is an architect and lives in San Francisco, CA
Q. What’s your favorite thing to do in Naperville?
A: Having dinner with friends at one of the many great restaurants in town.
By Robin Boggs Choquette, Psy.D.
Elite Performance Counseling, Inc.
https://www.facebook.com/ElitePerformanceCounseling/
Elite Performance Counseling provides psychological services to individuals from preteen through older adulthood in individual psychotherapy, family therapy (including parenting strategies), couple’s therapy, and skill seminars. In addition, Dr. Choquette consults with a specialized emphasis on performance enhancement for athletes, performing artists, musicians, and executives.