10 Facts About Herbert Schmertz

Herbert Schmertz was a vice president of public affairs for the Mobil Corporation whose advocacy for sponsoring programs on PBS significantly influenced the relationship between PBS and major corporations.

Herbert Schmertz received a Bachelor of Arts from Union College in 1952 and a Bachelor of Laws from Columbia University in 1955.

For two years, from 1955 to 1957, he worked for the United States Army's intelligence efforts in Washington, DC Herbert Schmertz further received a Doctor of Law degree from Union in 1977.

Herbert Schmertz was first employed by Mobil as "manager of the corporate labor relations department" in 1966.

Herbert Schmertz first joined the Mobil company board after his promotion in 1969 and was elected to the Mobile Oil company board in 1976.

Herbert Schmertz supported the idea, as it would allow Mobil to buy 39 hours of television on PBS for a far cheaper price than it would otherwise cost.

In 1983, former president Ronald Reagan nominated Herbert Schmertz to be on the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy for a term lasting until 1985.

In 1986, Herbert Schmertz authored Goodbye to the Low Profile: The Art of Creative Confrontation, a meditation on his experiences with the news media while working for Mobil Oil.

Herbert Schmertz was hired as a volunteer for Edward Kennedy's 1980 presidential campaign and later worked with Bob Dole's 1988 presidential campaign.

Herbert Schmertz died on January 17,2018, in West Palm Beach, Florida.