People: Robin Mercer named development officer at PBS Reno

PBS Reno has hired Robin Mercer for the role of development officer.

Mercer started with PBS Reno on Nov. 14. Mercer brings extensive fundraising experience to PBS Reno, after having worked at Capitol Hill fundraising for a major political party.

She earned her master’s degree in developmental psychology from the University of York in England, before working for U.S. Senator John Ensign of Nevada, who recruited Mercer to the Silver State in 1998.

Mercer also worked as a consultant to the Nevada Mining Association, Nevada Trucking Association, and the Discovery Museum, along with the campaigns of Governor Jim Gibbons, Secretary of State Ross Miller, and Brian Sandoval when he ran for Nevada Attorney General.

In 2010 and 2014, Mercer led the PBS Reno Aged to Perfection fundraiser, the station’s biggest and most important fundraiser of the year.

As PBS Reno development officer, Mercer will handle the station’s major giving program and will work to bring PBS Reno the crucial funding it needs to provide educational outreach in local classrooms through its Curiosity Classroom workshops, along with producing award-earning local productions including Wild Nevada and ARTEFFECTS.