Author: Steven Fortriede
Born: 1/24/1946
Bio: Steven Carl Fortriede lives in Huntertown, Indiana with his wife Donna.  He has two children, Tania and Kevin and two grandchildren, Sara and Connor.  He retired as Associate Director of the Allen County Public Library after more than 40 years of service.  He enjoys fishing, golf, woodworking, and spending time with the grandchildren.  

He graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and from Western Michigan University as a Master of Library Science.

He has written many articles and short stories and two books, **Johnny Appleseed: The Man behind the Myth** and **Moving your Library:  Getting the books from here to there** published by the American Library Association.

For many years Steven Fortriede has been an activist in the effort to ensure that all Americans have free access to means of mass communication with which to express their right to freedom of speech.  He founded one community radio and five community television channels and has served on the boards of the Alliance for Community Media, Ameerican Community Television, and other pro-speech organizations.  He has produced several hundred video programs for which have been presented on broadcast and cable channels around the world.

His awards include the Buske Leadership Award, Roxie L. Cole Leadership Award, and Executive Director's Award.  On his retirement fromt the Public Library, he was named a **Distinguished Hoosier** by the Governor of Indiana.