Recognition Event: APTS Honors Larry Unger with 2025 Pillar of Public Service Award
In a significant move for public broadcasting in Maryland, Larry D. Unger, the President and CEO of Maryland Public Television (MPT), has announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2025. Unger's tenure at MPT has been marked by leadership, philanthropy, and a commitment to the growth and development of the organisation.
Based in Owings Mills, Maryland, MPT is a state licensee member of PBS. Under Unger's leadership, the organisation has played a critical role in public safety and demonstrated the power of public television to deliver essential local public services across Maryland.
Unger, who joined MPT in 1997, has nearly three decades' experience in the local financial services community. Before his career at MPT, he served for 11 years as a senior-level executive at Baltimore Bancorp and its main subsidiary, The Bank of Baltimore, where he managed over $600 million in loans, nearly 600 employees, and $1.75 billion in deposits.
During his time at MPT, Unger has held various positions, including vice president of administration and finance, chief financial officer, executive vice president, and chief operating officer, before becoming the president and CEO in July 2011.
Unger's philanthropic support for MPT is evident, as he and his wife became the single largest donors to the organisation, supporting the creation of a new production studio in 2019. This significant commitment has been recognised with the 2025 Pillar of Public Service Award from both Maryland Public Television and America's Public Television Stations (APTS).
The Pillar of Public Service Award recognises extraordinary leaders in public television's three essential public service missions: education, public safety, and community connections. Unger's work at MPT has been recognised for raising the bar of service and innovation.
In addition to his work at MPT, Unger has served as a former trustee and chairman of American Public Television (APT), a former member of the National Educational Telecommunications Association board of directors, and a former board member and co-chair of the Organization of State Broadcasting Executives.
MPT's exceptional education services include Thinkport and the Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education. These initiatives, along with Unger's leadership and philanthropy, have had a notable impact on public broadcasting in Maryland.
As Unger retires, he leaves behind a legacy of service and innovation in public broadcasting. His contributions to Maryland Public Television will undoubtedly continue to resonate in the years to come.
- In recognition of his contributions, Larry D. Unger, the retiring President and CEO of Maryland Public Television (MPT), has been awarded the 2025 Pillar of Public Service Award from both Maryland Public Television and America's Public Television Stations (APTS).
- Unger's philanthropy at MPT is evident, as he and his wife became the single largest donors to the organization, supporting the creation of a new production studio in 2019.
- Before joining MPT in 1997, Unger had nearly three decades of experience in the local financial services community, serving for 11 years as a senior-level executive at Baltimore Bancorp and its subsidiary, The Bank of Baltimore.
- Based on Unger's leadership, MPT has played a critical role in public safety and demonstrated the power of public television to deliver essential local public services across Maryland.
- Under ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) standards, MPT's television broadcasts can now be received over the air by viewers with an IP-enabled television set, allowing for greater reach and access to MPT's content.
