Rob Germain is the CEO at Victoria, B.C.-based CHEK Media – the only employee-owned TV station in North America.

Germain was News Director at CHEK in 2009 when the station was threatened with closure. He helped lead a takeover bid by employees, the union and community-minded investors.

Under employee ownership for 15 years, CHEK has become a model of success, in stark contrast to many corporately owned, legacy media organizations. CHEK has doubled in staff and has transformed into a multi-media company with its own CHEK+ streaming service and podcast network.

CHEK Media has been recognized with numerous journalism and industry awards and Germain himself received a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Radio Television Digital News Association.  Germain is also a director and past president of the BC Association of Broadcasters.