An Evening with Author Paul Siefken in Conversation with Tim Smith

About the author:

Since 2017, Paul Siefken has served as president and CEO of Fred Rogers Productions, producer of Emmy ® Award-winning entertaining and educational children’s media on broadcast and digital platforms—and beyond. Under his direction, the esteemed organization, founded by children’s television pioneer Fred Rogers as Family Communications, Inc. (FCI) in 1971, has experienced tremendous growth, earning a national reputation for both innovation and storytelling. Siefken has assembled a world-class, mission-driven team committed to building on Rogers’ legacy by introducing new productions and expanding the reach of their impact through collaborations with like-minded partners. Before joining Fred Rogers Productions, Siefken served as Director of Children’s Programming at PBS for nearly ten years following eight years in various roles at Cartoon Network, where he wrote several books based on Cartoon Network shows, including The Powerpuff Girls and Samurai Jack. Prior to entering the children’s media space, Siefken worked as a high school English teacher in both Georgia and North Carolina. He holds a B.A. in English from Duke University.

About the book:

Vernon Poche just wants to go home, but home isn't the same anymore. Hurricane Katrina changed all that. Could the ghosts who remain haunting the empty streets show him the way? Paul Siefken, President and CEO of Fred Rogers Productions is known as the very best in educational children's media on broadcast and digital platform. He now brings his talent to print form in this lovingly written and touching story of New Orleans historic people and culture - just for kids of course.

About the conversation partner:

Life-long Pittsburgh resident, Center of Life’s CEO, Tim Smith, is affectionately known as “PT” (short for Pastor Tim). Though Center of Life was founded in an official capacity in 2001, his roots in Hazelwood run deep and he’s worked and volunteered in the community since the 1980s. His passion for connecting with kids and families led him to create Center of Life as a nonprofit and community empowerment organization — one founded on his personal philosophies and that guides the organization’s direction and impact to this day. 

PT’s philosophy of economics, environment, and empowerment includes giving people the tools they need to not only succeed, but to lead economic revitalization in Hazelwood and similar communities in the face of generational and economic discrimination; providing every person with a sense of belonging, significance, and security; and connecting an individual’s inherent natural talent (which we believe each person possesses) with meaningful opportunity and education.

PT brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and creativity to Center of Life and Hazelwood each day. His education from Westinghouse High School, University of Pittsburgh, and the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary as well as his professional experiences as an investment banker and National Youth Network Coordinator allow him to lead the organization on all fronts.

Host or Publisher Riverstone Books