Leigh Horner
Hello, WITF and Pennon Education supporters. I’m Leigh Horner, Chair of the Pennon Board. A few weeks ago, we shared the exciting news that Max Duke would be joining us as our new President and CEO. Well, today is his first day. Since Max is new to many of you, we thought it would be fun to help you get to know him a little better.

So today, we’re doing a fast five, and maybe a bonus. I’m going to ask Max five quick questions so that you can learn more about the person who’s going to be leading our incredible organization. Are you ready, Max?

Max Duke
I’m ready. Let’s do it.

Leigh Horner
All right, let’s go. Let’s start with an easy one. Tell us something that we won’t find on your resume.

Max Duke
So I have a robust history of retail jobs. When I was a teenager, working in music stores and computer stores. It’s, I think, where I built my love of customer service, just working with folks. But one of my favorites was actually working at a chocolate shop. So it’s kind of a kind of a full-service moment to be in an area with a famous chocolatier.

Leigh Horner
That’s great. So question number two. What was it about Pennon and WITF that made you say, I want to be a part of this?

Max Duke
I think for me, it was really just the rich landscape of service that we have at this organization. There are so many stories to tell, and I think one of the best things about public media is being able to surface those, bring those out, celebrate the communities we live in, and just the diversity of what is available in this area is really intriguing and exciting.

Leigh Horner
If we ask close friends, colleagues and family to describe you in three words, what would they say?

Max Duke
So I think colleagues would probably say collaborative. I think friends [would say] funny. Yeah, we’ll go with that. And family? Well, my kids definitely don’t think I’m funny, but family, I would say, probably dependable, reliable.

Leigh Horner
Okay, so collaborative, funny and dependable.

Max Duke
Yeah.

Leigh Horner
Love it, love it.

All right. Question number four. What’s one thing you’re most excited to learn in your first few days, months and weeks on the job?

Max Duke
So for me it’s learning about the people. It really is. In addition to the folks that work at Pennon Education and WITF, being staff members are also members of the community. And so, learning about their experience with this institution, which is a community resource for them as well.

Understanding that is exciting. I’m really looking forward to learning all those stories, hearing what folks really want out of this organization and how we can all be a part of it.

Leigh Horner
I think on behalf of the staff and the community, we are excited to get to know you as well. What’s the first thing you’d like our supporters to know about you?

Max Duke
I love, I love to meet new people, so if you see me out and about, happen to recognize me from this, from this interview, please just come up and say hello. I’d love to meet you. Learn more about you. I’ve already met a few folks just down at the local coffee shop and, you know, just over at Broad Street Market as well.

And so just getting to know folks, please say hello to me. I have a lot of interests that I’d love to share, and I love to learn more about yours.

Leigh Horner
That’s great. Okay, now I’m going to do the off-script bonus questions. All right. Favorite candy?

Max Duke
Favorite candy?

Leigh Horner
Or chocolate?

Max Duke
Is a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

Leigh Horner
Of course.

Max Duke
Yeah.

Leigh Horner
Good choice.

Max Duke
Yes. Yeah. And every version of that: Pieces, Sticks, Take Fives. All of them.

Leigh Horner
Shapes is for me. Reese’s Shapes. My number one.

Max Duke
Okay.

Leigh Horner
Okay. Do you have a favorite college sports team?

Max Duke
I do, actually, it’s the University of Miami Hurricanes. I’m an alum there, and I know, I know, we don’t necessarily play Penn State that often.

Max Duke
I know we play Pitt and, you know, some other folks, but huge diehard fan. My wife went to a rival school. And so, it’s a quiet household when we play each other.

Leigh Horner
Fantastic. And first impressions of the Central Pennsylvania area?

Max Duke
It’s gorgeous. I love actually driving up here and getting to see the landscape and the mountains.

It’s not something I actually grew up in the northeast, in the New York area, and lived a large part of my life in Florida. But being able to come back up here and just see the farmlands and the fields and the city and just the mix of landscape is, it’s just, it’s gorgeous.

Leigh Horner
Yeah. As someone who has been almost 15 years here, it is a lovely, lovely place.

Leigh Horner
All right. Thanks for letting us get to know you a little better today. We’re excited to have you here, and we look forward to introducing you to the many supporters, communities and partners who make Pennon what it is. Welcome, Max.

Max Duke
Thank you very much. Excited to get started.