Biography of Executive Director Art Schreiber

Art Schreiber's professional career has taken him from an Ohio farm, where he grew up, to many of the world’s capitols. He spent most of his professional life in TV and radio news. Art was a reporter, anchor man, news director, national correspondent, bureau chief and Vice President and General Manager of eight radio stations: Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York City, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Albuquerque, before he pursued other interests. As a reporter, Art covered many of the most eventful stories in our nation's history. He traveled with John F. Kennedy during his quest for the Presidency. He also covered President Kennedy’s funeral. Art was at the scene of every major civil rights riot in America during the sixties. As a reporter, he traveled throughout the South with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was with Dr. King on his famous Selma to Montgomery march. He also reported on James Meredith’s march across Mississippi . Art made many trips with the White House press corps covering President Lyndon B. Johnson. But Art’s most famous assignment was covering the Beatles on their first cross-country tour of America . He was one of five correspondents to travel with the Beatles and he spent many nights playing Monopoly with John Lennon and George Harrison.

Art has served on the faculties of Muskingum College in Ohio , the University of Southern California and has lectured at the University of Oklahoma . In 1993 he retired from broadcasting to run, unsuccessfully, for mayor of Albuquerque . In 1995 and ’96 Art directed the New Mexico Commission for the Blind. He retired at the end of 1996 and he now operates Schreiber Enterprises, a consulting company, and has devoted his life to helping those who are blind or those who are losing their sight. In addition to serving on several non-profit boards, Art is President of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico . Governor Bill Richardson appointed Art to head the New Mexico Commission for the Blind, Art also serves as chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Council for the Blind of New Mexico . Governor Richardson has also appointed Art to the Workforce Investment Board. He still is involved in broadcasting. He is currently hosting the Blind Art program KKJY AM in Albuquerque . The program is devoted to issues concerning seniors and persons with disabilities.

In 1972, Art was one of the founders of Commuter Computer in Los Angeles . He later became its CEO. It is the nation’s largest ride-sharing organization and was one of the first partnerships in the nation between the public and private sectors.

Art came to Albuquerque in 1981 to manage the KOB radio stations. Less than a year later he was totally blind due to torn and detached retinas. Seven months and sixteen eye surgeries later Art returned to KOB. In addition to resuming his duties as manager Art underwent many months of training to learn to function as a blind person. He maintains his joining the National Federation of the Blind turned his life around.

Art is the recipient of many honors and awards, including the Dupont Award presented by the Columbia School of Journalism; Broadcaster of the Year Award, presented by the New Mexico Broadcasters Association; the American Lung Association’s Humanitarian Gold Medallion Award; the President’s Award from the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico and the Federation’s Student Division “Role Model” Award; and the Albuquerque, New Mexico Senior Hall of Fame.