When General Manager Paul Lodato took the helm of Southwest Florida’s Christian Television Network station (formerly WRXY-TV) in 2005, he was the youngest general manager in the history of the CTN family of television stations, founded in 1979.
Under Paul’s leadership, the fledgling station that began broadcasting from a barn situated in the middle of a, 80-acre cow pasture has become a full-power television station in a state-of-the-art building that offers a production studio, full-service production services, on-location capabilities, and offices. Today CTN Southwest Florida reaches a potential two million people living in the six counties that border Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Paul is best known to his viewing audience as producer and host of the weekly programs “Contending for the Faith” and “Good News on Entertainment,” which air on CTN Direct TV, Dish Network, and Glory Star Satellite channel. In 2008 Gulfshore Business Magazine named him one of its “40 Under 40” business individuals who have distinguished themselves in their communities. Paul founded the Southwest Florida Film and Television Academy to provide media training for up-and-coming media professionals, and remains well established in the Southwest Florida business community. He also founded the Florida Pastors Network in 2018 connecting thousands of Florida pastors who share biblical world view to engage the culture.
In addition to being an accomplished preacher, singer, and songwriter, Paul serves with his wife, Ivette, in Light of the Word Ministries, the organization they founded together to equip the body of Christ to rightly divide the word of truth and to seek and save the lost.
Paul Lodato is recognized throughout Southwest Florida as a leader, communicator, and a man of faith who refuses to compromise the Word of God while being salt and light in today’s culture.