Parenteau, Zoel J.

Public broadcasting executive.

Association for Public Broadcasting executive; National Association of Public Broadcasting Stations executive; president and general manager, Kansas Public Telecommunications Service Inc.

Zoel J. Parenteau's broadcasting career began in Atlanta, Georgia, as a producer-director for WETV in 1958. In 1960, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri to assume the position of Director-Producer for KCSD, the educational television station licensed to the school district of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1965, he became station manager. Seven years later, the license was transferred from the school district to a community group, while the call letters were changed to KCPT. Soon, Parenteau was was named the general manager of the station.

In October 1972, Parenteau became executive vice president and general manager of KPTS in Wichita, and in 1973 he became president. KPTS is licensed to The Kansas Public Telecommunications Services, Inc., formerly the Sunflower Educational Television Corporation. Parenteau resigned his position August 1996 after weeks of conflict with the majority of his staff. He continued as vice president and representative to the Kansas Public Broadcasting Council until July 1997 when he retired.

In 1978, he was elected to a three year term as professional director at the Public Broadcasting Service . In addition, Parenteau has served as a member of Central Educational Network's executive and finance committees. From 1990 to 1993, he served on the board of trustees of APTS (Association of America's Public Television Stations) . Then, from 1993 to 1994, he served as the first chairperson of the Kansas Public Broadcasting Council after its creation by the Kansas Legislature.