Baltimore County resident enters National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences chapter’s Silver Circle
Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) Linda Taggart, vice president, Development, was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter’s (NATAS-NCCB) prestigious Silver Circle during ceremonies held on October 7 in Richmond, Virginia. Taggart, who has been a key contributor to the statewide public TV network for nearly 40 years, was one of nine television industry professionals who entered the NATAS-NCCB Silver Circle as part of the class of 2023. MPT’s John Davis, creator and host of the national series MotorWeek, was inducted into the Gold Circle the same evening.
The Silver Circle recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the broadcast or cable industry for at least 25 years, while the Gold Circle honors individuals who have made significant contributions for 50 years or more. The Gold and Silver Circles are often referred to as the Academy’s “Hall of Fame.” With the induction of the 2023 honorees, the Silver Circle totals 271 individuals, and the Gold Circle totals 26.
In a letter of endorsement for Taggart’s Silver Circle nomination, famed host and musician John Tesh noted her willingness to take chances in developing initiatives and her “instincts for creating and recognizing programming with a strong ‘story’” as creating an indelible benefit to public television.
Taggart’s responsibilities include oversight of all fundraising efforts at MPT including major and planned giving, audience engagement, individual giving (membership and on-air fundraising), corporate underwriting, digital fundraising, special events and community engagement, and volunteers. She oversees a department of 32 full-time employees.
Taggart’s career at MPT began in 1981 when she joined the station as an assistant producer in regional productions. She was promoted to associate producer for State Circle, MPT’s long-running public affairs program. In 1987, she became a producer within the unit known at the time as National/International Productions. National programs she worked on include Wall $treet Week with Louis Rukeyser; Louis Rukeyser’s Money Guide; The New Europeans; Timeline; Seapower; and Happy New Year, U.S.A.
Following six years in national productions, Taggart joined the network’s development and marketing area as an executive producer responsible for on-air fundraising, a position she held for seven years before being named senior director of MPT’s On-Air Fundraising Department, a role she held for five years.
After spending time at WQED Multimedia in Pittsburgh, Taggart re-joined MPT in April 2013 as the managing director of the station’s Individual Giving Department. She became the first person to hold the post within the station’s Development Division. She was named vice president of the division in 2015.
Taggart is an alumna of the S. I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, where she earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in television and radio.
She is a resident of Reisterstown in Baltimore County.
