The SWCTC Team

Our Crew

Mark Martinez - Executive Director - TracyWalshPhoto2022_028

Mark Martinez

Executive Director

mark@swctc.org | 651-458-9241 ext. 101

Ann Schweisguth - Operations Manager Producer - TracyWalshPhoto2022_018

Ann Schweisguth

Content Manager

ann@swctc.org | 651-458-9241 ext. 105

Lonnie Garland - Technical Manager - TracyWalshPhoto2022_002

Lonnie Garland

Technical Manager

lonnie@swctc.org | 651-458-9241 ext. 102

Bob McSherry - Lead Government Producer - TracyWalshPhoto2022_015

Bob McSherry

Lead Government Producer

bob@swctc.org | 651-458-9241 ext. 104

Brian Schmidt - Government Producer - TracyWalshPhoto2022_023

Brian Schmidt

Government Producer

brian@swctc.org | 651-458-9241 ext. 106

Alaina Myers - Government Producer - TracyWalshPhoto2022_010

Alaina Myers

Government Producer

alaina@swctc.org | 651-458-9241 ext. 109

Nikki Johnson - TracyWalshPhoto22_051

Nikki Johnson

Government Producer

nikki@swctc.org | 651-458-9241 ext. 110

Damen Price - IT Specialist - TracyWalshPhoto2022_026

Damen Price

IT Specialist

damen@swctc.org | 651-458-9241 ext. 108

Mark Martinez

This month I am celebrating five years with SWCTC and it has been the best job of my career. This past October, SWCTC celebrated its 40th anniversary and I'm happy to have been a part of our success alongside our incredible staff and board that I have the honor to work with every day. Prior to SWCTC, I was the Cable Coordinator at New Ulm Community Access Television in south central Minnesota. Prior to NUCAT, I spent many years managing corporate events in New York City and Los Angeles. Having worked with diverse groups across the country my management style is inclusive and collaborative. Those experiences have shaped my leadership approach and aspiration of achieving operational excellence. With the support of our member cities, Commission board, and staff we have a lot of work planned over the next few years that is part of our new strategic plan. While our main focus will continue to return value back to our member cities and cable subscribers, our goal will be to engage our citizens and share the unique stories of the people who live. work, learn, play. and invest in our communities.

Ann Schweisguth

It's a big honor when someone trusts you to tell their story. To take a project from concept to filming to editing to the audience is always a creative adventure. I love what I do and the innovative and dedicated people I get the opportunity to work with every day.

Bob McSherry

I grew up down in Houston, Texas, and I moved to Minnesota more than 25 years ago. After working at a few Twin Cities broadcast stations, I came to SWCTC in 2002. They have always supported my creativity and allowed me to grow as a creator. What I enjoy the most about working here is the trust I have been given to tell the stories of this community.

Lonnie Garland

I'm very fortunate to have had such a long and wonderful career in Broadcast TV and Video Production. I have traveled the world shooting stories of people and cultures that truly are inspiring. I have had some different jobs in video since 1988. Yes, a very long time. I have done everything from pulling video cables for live sports, to capturing running giraffes out of a helicopter in South Africa. I'm lucky my wife Roanna of 30 years and our nine kids have let me do this wonderful job. I'm also thankful to the people I work with every day, they are true artisans. I enjoy working with the cities, solving technical issues and making sure that all the videos produced from SWCTC are seen on our Comcast Channels and Websites. I feel like I'm learning something every day. Plus, no more worldly travels. Well, unless they are on my motorcycle.

Brian Schmidt

I grew up in Cottage Grove, and now I have the honor of working in the community I grew up in. I fell in love with creating stories by taking a broadcast journalism class at Park High School, learning the meticulous craft of editing video with two VHS tape decks, and filming video with my dad's camcorder. I went to Century College, where I went for a Visual Communications Technology degree emphasizing digital video. During that time, I interned with SCC in White Bear Lake, and I learned the craft of filming sports and live events. After college, I interned with SWCTC, and I had the privilege of working for KSTP, where I enjoyed the daily grind of live news. SWCTC hired me full-time in 2010 as a Master Control Specialist and eventually transitioned into a Government Producer. I have a twin brother named Mike, but don't worry, you can tell us apart!

Alaina Myers

I was born and raised just south of South Washington County and loved creating videos and stories from a young age. After studying at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, I ended up at Kingston University where I studied Filmmaking and received a Master's of Arts degree. I have had the opportunity to teach film and underwater photography as well as film major athletes. It is always a joy when they allow you to bring a piece of their story to life! My favorite part of the job is that things are always changing and evolving and often no two days look the same. I also enjoy working with the amazing creators here and learning from their expertise. Outside of work, love to travel the world, paddleboard, and just enjoy everything nature has to offer.

Damen Price

I recently joined the SWCTC team to help with their ever expanding information technology and audio visual technology footprint, and to serve the varied needs of our five member cities. We support and maintain a wide variety of IP and AV equipment and solutions to facilitate communication and transparency between citizens and our local institutions. I have an extensive background as an audiovisual installation technician and as a professional audio engineer with years of experience in live performance venues and recording studios. I am extremely privileged to be a part of the SWCTC team and to have the opportunity to support our local communities. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to and making music, spending time outdoors, and cooking new and exciting recipes.

Nikki Johnson

I spent most of my childhood in the northwest suburbs running around my grandparent's neighborhood. After high school, I completed an associate degree in television production from Brown College. I started working for CCX Media (formerly NWCT) in the public access department where I taught television production classes. I mentored and guided members through creating their own shows, as well as creating promotional videos for our channels. While working at CCX Media, I went back to school to complete my bachelor's in digital film/video production at The Art Institute in Minneapolis. I did my internship with Page Productions, the company that created Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri. By the time I joined Page Productions, the company had lost that show and was currently working on a nationally syndicated show called Beer Geeks. When my internship ended, I was hired as a freelance editor with the company. Beer Geeks was not renewed, and the company eventually closed. I continued with CCX Media until the pandemic in 2020 when I made the decision to stay at home with my two small children. Once things returned to some normalcy, I landed with KSTP Channel 5 as an Audio Control Technician. I ran sound on Twin Cities Live and all the evening newscasts. I enjoyed working at Channel 5 but missed creating content and I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to join the very talented team at SWCTC. I love being able to continually grow and find new ways to tell a story. In my free time, I love spending time with my family. My two- and four-year-old boys keep me very busy, along with our two rescue dogs and one cat.

Interested in joining our crew?

We are always looking for great talent. Take a look at our careers page to see if you'd like to join us.

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Awards

Regional Emmy Awards

Regional Emmy

2021 Emmy Water: The Oil of Our Century - Winner

Regional Emmy

2020 Emmy Daniel Drevnick: Woodbury’s Son - Winner

Telly Awards

Telly

2020 Telly June Fremont (Television History) - Silver

Telly

2020 Telly Daniel Drevnick: Woodbury’s Son (Television Biography) - Bronze

Telly

2020 Telly Chef Spot: Burgers (Online Food and Beverage) - Bronze

Telly

2019 Telly Cullen’s Ticket to Ride (Television History) – Silver

Telly

2019 Telly Agent H2O (Government Relations) - Bronze

Telly

2018 Telly Silver Award Soldier's Journey (Television Individual Documentary)

Telly

2018 Telly Bronze Award Cottage Grove Pickleball Club (Television General Fitness, Health, Wellness)

Telly

2015 TELLY Holiday Train (Entertainment)

Telly

2014 TELLY Cottage Grove Splash Pad Promo (Use of Humor)

NATOA Awards

NATOA

2020 NATOA June Fremont (Seniors) - Award of Excellence

NATOA

2020 NATOA June Fremont (Documentary) - Award of Distinction

NATOA

2020 NATOA Hockey Night (Sports) - Award of Distinction

NATOA

2020 NATOA Dan Drevnick (Military) - Award of Distinction

NATOA

2019 NATOA FMSC Community Mobile Pack (Edited Community Event) - Award of Excellence

NATOA

2019 NATOA Driving with the Director (Interview/Talk) - Award of Excellence

NATOA

2019 NATOA Agent H2O (Public Education) - Award of Distinction

NATOA

2019 NATOA Woodbury Works: Zamboni (Profile of a City Dept.) - Award of Distinction

NATOA

2018 NATOA Cottage Grove Pickleball Club (Seniors) - 2nd Place

NATOA

2018 NATOA A Soldier's Journey (Documentary) - 2nd Place

NATOA

2018 NATOA Dodge Nature Center Community Garden (Community Awareness) - 3rd Place

NATOA

2018 NATOA Woodbury Citystyle: A Miracle (league) Family (Special Audience) - 3rd Place

NATOA

2017 NATOA Woodbury Citystyle: The Man Behind the Name (Military) - 1st Place

NATOA

2017 NATOA Woodbury Citystyle: The Amazing BFF's (Public Education) - 2nd Place

NATOA

2017 NATOA Flags for Memorial Day (Edited Community Event Coverage - 3rd Place

NATOA

2017 NATOA Ride Along with Pat Nickle (Public Safety) - 3rd Place

NATOA

2015 NATOA Woodbury Citystyle: The Cold Catfish Cup (Sports Programming) - 1st Place

NATOA

2015 NATOA Cottage Grove Spotlight (Use of Sound) - 2nd Place

NATOA

2015 NATOA SWCTC (Overall Excellence in Government Programming) - 3rd Place

NATOA

2014 NATOA Melissa (Public Safety) - 1st Place

NATOA

2014 NATOA Holiday Train on Spotlight (Community Event) - 2nd Place

NATOA

2014 NATOA 75 Years of the St. Paul Park Fire Department (Profile City/County Department) - 3rd Place

NATOA

2014 NATOA A Day in the Life of a 3rd Grader (Children/Young Adults) - 3rd Place

NATOA

2014 NATOA Melissa (Documentary) - 3rd Place

NATOA

2014 NATOA Overall Excellence in Government Programming - 3rd Place

NATOA

2013 NATOA Cottage Grove Spotlight on Senator Sieben - 1st Place

NATOA

2013 NATOA Cottage Grove Splash Pad - 2nd Place

NATOA

2013 NATOA Freckles Style - 2nd Place

NATOA

2013 NATOA Woodbury Citystyle - 2nd Place

NATOA

2013 NATOA Back to the 50’s Night - 2nd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA Shop Local, Shop Cottage Grove PSA - 1st Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA Cottage Grove Strawberry Fest Parade - 2nd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA Weekly Wire - 2nd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA Cottage Grove Spotlight - 2nd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA 50 Years of the Woodbury Fire Department - 2nd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA First Response - 2nd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA SWC-TV Excellence in Government Programming - 3rd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA Woodbury Citystyle - 3rd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA Relay for Life - 3rd Place

NATOA

2012 NATOA Cottage Grove Citizen’s Academy - 3rd Place

NATOA

2011 NATOA - Cottage View Drive-In - 1st Place

NATOA

2011 NATOA - How Water Gets to Your Tap - 2nd Place

NATOA

2011 NATOA - Cottage Grove Safety Camp - 2nd Place

NATOA

2011 NATOA - Woodbury Citystyle - 3rd Place

NATOA

2011 NATOA - Weekly Wire - 3rd Place

NATOA

2011 NATOA - Political 411 - 3rd Place

NATOA

2011 NATOA - Cottage View Drive-In - 3rd Place

NATOA

2010 NATOA - It Can Happen Anywhere WBY Citystyle - 1st Place

NATOA

2010 NATOA - Cottage Grove Recreation - 1st Place

NATOA

2010 NATOA - It's a Miracle to Me, the WBY Miracle League - 1st Place

NATOA

2010 NATOA - The SWC Thunderbolts - 3rd Place

NATOA

2010 NATOA - Woodbury Safety Camp - 3rd Place

NATOA

2010 NATOA - Cottage Grove Safety Camp - 3rd Place

NATOA

2009 NATOA - Yeshiva High School Cottage Grove - 1st Place

NATOA

2009 NATOA - Yeshiva High School Cottage Grove - 3rd Place

NATOA

2009 NATOA - Woodbury I Am Public Safety - 3rd Place

NATOA

2008 NATOA - What's Up With Freckles - Archery Range - 3rd Place

NATOA

2007 NATOA - Cottage Grove Boot Hockey League - 2nd Place

NATOA

2006 NATOA - Reality TV Promo - 1st Place

NATOA

2006 NATOA - Woodbury Spooky Ridge Haunted House - 1st Place

NATOA

2005 NATOA - Election Coverage - 3rd Place

NATOA

2004 NATOA - Blazing Stars Special Olympics - 1st Place

NATOA

2002 NATOA - The Making of Annie - 3rd Place

NATOA

2001 NATOA - Overall Excellence in Government Programming - 1st Place

NATOA

2001 NATOA - Cottage Grove Safety Camp - 1st Place

NATOA

2001 NATOA - Woodbury Water Conservation - 2nd Place

NATOA

2001 NATOA - Creativity - 3rd Place

NATOA

2000 NATOA - Excellence in Government Programming - 1st Place

NATOA

1999 NATOA - Cottage Grove Rec Connection - 1st Place

NATOA

1998 NATOA - Inside City Hall - 3rd Place

NATOA

1998 NATOA - Election Coverage - 3rd Place

Northern Lights Awards

Northern Lights

2020 Northern Lights June Fremont (Community Interest) - Gold

Northern Lights

2020 Northern Lights Package Theft (Video Short) - Gold

Northern Lights

2020 Northern Lights Chef Spot Burgers (Instructional) - Gold

Northern Lights

2020 Northern Lights Woodbury Works: Potholes (Agency Event Program Service) - Bronze

Northern Lights

2018 Northern Lights MAGC Cottage Grove City Faces (Video Series - 1st Place

Northern Lights

2018 Northern Lights MAGC My Cottage Grove (Video Series) - 3rd Place

ACM Awards

ACM

2020 ACM June Fremont (Documentary Biography) – 1st Place

ACM

2019 ACM Weekly Wire (Best News Show)

ACM

2019 ACM Agent H2O (Best Government Activities)

ACM

2019 ACM Agent H2O (Best Entertainment and Arts)

ACM

2018 Hometown Award Cottage Grove Pickleball Club (Sports) - 1st Place

Granicus Awards

Granicus

2008 Granicus - Silverlight Excellence Award