Silver Circle VIRTUAL CEREMONY Sunday, August 30, 2020 Silver Circle Presented by
The Suncoast Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The Silver Circle recognizes individuals who have devoted a quarter of a century or more to the television industry, a significant part of which was done in the Suncoast region of the State of Florida, Mobile, Alabama, the State of Louisiana and Puerto Rico television markets.
VIRTUAL CEREMONY Sunday, August 30, 2020 President’s Welcome
On behalf of the Board of Governors and Officers of the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, I would like to welcome you to the 2020 Silver Circle virtual presentation.
We wish we could be in one room this afternoon, as we usually are when we recognize our Silver Circle recipients. But this year has brought an unprecedented set of challenges that have converged like no other moment in our lifetime and have forced us to celebrate together but apart.
Certainly, our honorees are no strangers to unprecedented events. Their journalistic integrity and excellence bringing viewers some of the most notable and extraordinary news stories over the course of 25 years is nothing short of remarkable. Whether covering hurricanes and their devastating aftermath, to senseless shootings that took away the lives of innocent children, to watching helplessly as the twin towers collapsed.
Over the last 25 years, they have also covered news events that have brought communities together. From Pope John Paul II’s visit to Cuba and the first U.S. tour of Pope Francis, to interviews with world leaders, or larger than life athletes representing our country in Olympic games and people from all walks of life sharing their stories.
The Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is proud to celebrate the contributions you have made to our industry over the last 25 years.
This is our 32nd annual Silver Circle presentation, and we are delighted to add six more honorees.
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!
Barbara Alfonso Suncoast Chapter President & Trustee Sr. Director, TeleXitos (Telemundo Station Group) Board of Governors
Chris Cifatte Adrian Mauceri
Alexa Elliott Sheila Oretsky
Richard Engelhardt Rocio Ramirez-Pellicer
Yamila Garayzar Gina Presson
Claudia Keppinger Dennis Scholl
Mia Laurenzo Lenny Smith
Officers Barbara Alfonso President, Trustee
Frances Hernandez 1st Vice President, Trustee
Craig Stevens 2nd Vice President, Trustee
John Mays Trustee
Max Wyler Trustee
Preston Rudie Regional Vice President – Tampa-St. Petersburg
Jeff Schlesser Regional Vice President – Tallahassee
Angel Sepulveda Regional Vice President – Orlando-Daytona Beach
Mari Carmen Serrano Regional Vice President – Puerto Rico
Betsy Behrens Treasurer
Karla MacDonald Executive Director and Secretary Congratulations to our 2020 Silver Circle recipients
Your dedication and enthusiasm are truly inspiring. We wish you many more years of great achievements.
® Silver Circle Television professionals are inducted into the Silver Circle from the Suncoast Chapter’s South Florida television and media constituency in recognition of significant contributions made by these individuals to our industry for 25 years or more. An individual’s entire career need not have been spent in a single market, but they must have made a significant contribution within the Suncoast Region. Recipients receive a rosewood Emmy® embossed plaque and a circled gold and silver lapel pin.
The following 173 distinguished people are South Florida recipients of the Silver Circle from 1989, when the Silver Circle started, to now. The year that each person was honored is noted following their name.
Edward Adams 1993 Jorge H. Carballo 2017 Diana Gonzalez 2004 Mary Ross Agosta 2004 Carl Cassimir 2009 Grant Gravitt, Sr. 1997 Manuel Alvarez 2008 Abel Castillo 2007 Bob Grip 2019 Jack Anderson 1993 Carolyn Cefalo 2008 John Hambrick 1990 Edmund N. Ansin 1994 Jimmy Cefalo 2007 Melissa Harmon 2018 Maria Celeste Arrarás 2013 J David Choate 2017 Joseph Harzinski 2016 Mark A. Baker 2015 Harvey Cohen 1993 Ambrosio Hernandez 2011 Billy Barnes 2005 Carlos Corrales 2009 Connie Hicks 2002 Maria Cristina Barros 2010 Kathleen Corso 2011 Jorge Hildalgo 2012 Bill Bayer 1994 Ana Cuervo 2019 Jack Horkheimer 2007 Jill Beach 1998 Lori Davis 2013 Jeff Huff 2003 Bob Behar 1999 Bert Delgado 2009 Stu Jacobs 2003 Betsy and Bob Behrens 1996 Bert Delgado, Jr. 2010 Jack Kahn 2006 Guillermo Benites 1992 José Diaz-Balart 2010 Paul Kangas 2005 Dick Bergen 2007 Ardyth Diercks 2011 Paul Kaniewski 2003 Irene Berman 1991 Peter G. D’Oench 2010 Joel Kaplan 2019 Larry Berman 1992 George Dooley 1995 Paul Kennedy 2019 Doris Bernhardt 1992 Glen Eklund 2006 Mario Kreutzberger 1993 Howard Bernstein 2018 Jeanne Eklund 2006 Kristi Krueger 2011 Jim Berry 2006 Wayne Fariss 2002 Esteban Lamela 1992 Jerrell W. Birdwell 1994 Allan Farrell 2016 John Lang 2009 Ann Bishop 1989 Jim Farrell 2007 Marilys Llanos 2014 Joaquin Blaya 1996 Luis Fernandez Rocha 2012 Dwight Lauderdale 1998 Dave Boylan 2012 Migdalia Figueroa 2018 Robert Leider 2001 Bill Brazill 1989 Steven P. Flanagan 2000 Richard Lobo 1992 Jim Brosemer 1993 Charlie Folds 1991 Mark Londner 2001 Clifton Brown 2004 Teri Forbush 2015 Mac MacDonald 2004 Don Browne 2000 Frank Forte 2010 Ron Magill 2011 Carmel Cafiero 1997 Dave Game 2001 Diane Magnum 2007 Leticia Callava 2001 Frank Gatto 1991 Spears Mallis 1989 Spero Canton 2010 Michele Gillen 2008 Omar Marchant 1994 Emilio Marrero 2015 Sandra Peebles 2017 Helga Silva 2012 Manuel Martinez 2014 Raul Perez-Liste 2003 Graham Simmons 2001 Bob Mayer 2001 Alan Perris 1995 Bob Soper 1999 Alina Mayo Azze 2007 Lisa Petrillo 2016 Craig Stevens 2014 John Mays 2010 William Press 2004 Gordon A. Stevens 1992 Peter McCoy 2011 Michael Putney 2002 “Cisco” Suarez 2015 Jim McLaughlin 2005 Angela Gonzalez Ramos Al Sunshine 2000 Jack Metzger 1994 Emilio R. Rangel 2013 Mel Taylor 2012 Kelley Mitchell 2016* Ralph Renick 1989 Hank Tester 2005 Fred Mooke 1993 Manolo Reyes 1991 Lois Thome 2017 John Morales 2018 Al Rodrigues 1991 Todd Tongen 2009 Claudio Muns 2005 Eliott Rodriguez 2005 John Turchin 2013 Rafael Murciano 2008 Teresa Rodriguez 2014 Molly Turner 1989 Joan Murray 2018 Omar Romay 2016 Ileana Varela 2008 Paul Nagel, Jr. 1991 Bernie Rosen 1990 Roberto Vizcon 2013 Gary Nelson 2002 Daniel Roujansky 2004 Judy Wallace 1989 Jackie Nespral 2015 Nelly Rubio 2014 Rodney Ward 2002 Don Noe 2001 Bill Ryan 1990 Steve Wasserman 2012 Bryan Norcross 2003 Patricia San Pedro 2007 Bob Weaver 1990 César Ricardo Núñez 2015 Marcelo Sanchez 2009 Mindy Welch 2006 Linda O’Bryon 2000 Ted Scouten 2019 Oscar Welch 1995 Ed O’Dell 2002 Ike Seamans 2000 Kerry Weston 2014 Ari Odzer 2013 Tony Segreto 1995 Michael Williams 2008 Larry Olevitch 2017 Craig Setzer 2017 Bernie Wimmers 1995 Tony Oquendo 2003 Steve Shapiro 2019 Mike Zimmer 2006 Bernadette Pardo 2000 Willard Shepard 2016 Chuck Zink 1990 Nancy Parker 2018 Don Shula 1991
*Awarded Posthumously to Kelley Mitchell in 2016
In 2003, the Board of Governors voted to give a Regional Silver Circle to television professionals who work within the Suncoast Chapter’s assigned geographic territory, but outside of South Florida. When voted, these honors are presented at the annual Suncoast Regional Emmy® Awards presentation. The following nineteen distinguished people are recipients of the Silver Circle. The city of service follows the name of each recipient and the year in which they were honored.
Jose Miguel Agrelot Greg Fox Tommy Muniz San Juan 2006 Orlando – Daytona Beach 2014 San Juan 2004 Jose Cancela Carmen Jovet Tony Pipitone San Juan 2015 San Juan 2011 Orlando – Daytona Beach 2010 Lissette Campos-Perez Brian Lucas Mark Potter Tampa 2013 New Orleans 2008 Miami/worldwide 2012 Paquito Cordero Tony Mojena Carlos Rigau San Juan 2003 San Juan 2017 Miami/worldwide 2013 Mike Deeson Victor J. Montilla Torres Kerry Sanders Tampa – St. Petersburg 2009 San Juan 2017 Miami/worldwide 2011 Peter A. Delis Jacobo Morales Gail Sierens Orlando – Daytona Beach 2010 San Juan 2006 Orlando – Daytona Beach 2014 Danny Treanor Orlando – Daytona Beach 2016 2020 Silver Circle Recipients
Renee Dials WALA-TV, Mobile, Alabama (Retired) Presentation by Danielle Dials Account Executive and daughter, WALA-TV
Nicholas Bourne CBS Interactive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Presentation by Tom Doerr News Director, WINK News, Noticias WINK
Paul Gamache WVEN-TV, Orlando, FL
Presentation by Angel Sepulveda Regional News Director, WVEA, WVEN
Laurie Jennings WPLG-TV & WSVN-TV, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL Presentation by Calvin Hughes News Anchor, WPLG Local 10
Jose Jimenez WPBT-TV, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL Presentation by Gene Talley Senior Vice President of Engineering, South Florida PBS
Julie Montanaro WCTV, Tallahassee, FL Presentation by Carmen Cummings Martin FAMU Assistant Vice President for University Engagement & Alumni Affairs
Renee Dials
Renee Dials grew up in Detroit and majored in journalism at Wayne State University, graduating in 1975. She came to WALA in 1977.
Renee was the first African-American, female TV anchor in Mobile, Alabama. Her 40 years of experience earned her both respect and recognition, both valuable assets in her news gathering and reporting.
She’s worked with some wonderful news people over the years. She has reported on everyone from Hank Aaron to President Obama, and worked with everything from typewriters to smart phones. She’s won awards including two Abby Awards from the Alabama Broadcaster’s Association – one for her investigative report on constables, and another on an alleged school cheating scandal.
Renee tells Fox 10, “What we do affects other people and potentially influences just as I am influenced by people sometimes that I didn’t even know. So we have to be aware of that and it’s a responsibility, but it’s not one that is burdensome. I appreciate the fact that people look up to me and perhaps young people want to follow in my example. So I just try to set a good one.”
Renee has three adult children and seven grandchildren. Renee also has others who love her, because after watching her for decades, they can see her heart.
Renee retired from Fox 10 in 2017.
Nicholas Bourne
Nicholas “Nick” Bourne grew up on the beautiful island of Barbados. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in Mass Communications and Television Production. After graduation, he moved to South Florida where he landed his first TV job as a Production Assistant at WPLG in 1993.
With the goal of becoming a Photojournalist, he shadowed the CH10 photographers on his days off. Soon he put this first demo reel together and landed his first News Photographer job at WBBH in Fort Myers in 1994.
In 1995, WPTV was his next stop. Within six months, Nick was promoted to his first managerial position as Chief Photographer.
In 1998, Nicholas returned to WPLG, where it all began.
In 2003, Nick moved to Dallas/Fort Worth to become the News Operations Manager at KTVT, CBS 11. Four and a half years later, he returned to South Florida as the Assistant News Director at WFOR.
From Southwest Florida to the Treasure Coast, Broward County to Miami Dade, Nick has covered it all. Along the way, he learned, experienced and shared with some of the best journalists in the business. In the last three decades, he has covered some of the most important stories to impact South Florida such as: The Crash of Value Jet; the 911 attacks; the death of Fidel Castro; the historic visit to Cuba by two Popes and a United States President. He also coordinated and managed coverage of numerous hurricanes, local and national gubernatorial and presidential debates, two Super Bowls and three NBA championships.
Nicholas is a four-time Emmy® Award nominee and two-time Emmy® Award winner.
He is currently the Senior Coordinating Producer/Senior Director at CBS Sports HQ in Fort Lauderdale, which is the National headquarters of the CBS Sports Digital division. There he leads a team of 60 responsible for covering national and international sports from the NFL to World Cup Soccer.
Nicholas, his wife and three children, reside in Lake Worth.
Paul Gamache
Paul Gamache was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to Florida to pursue a degree in Communications, Radio/TV, graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
Right after college, he landed a job with the local CBS affiliate, WCPX (now WKMG), where he worked as a production technician until 1986. That year he was hired as part-time news producer/writer/anchor, for WONQ, the first Spanish language radio station licensed to the city of Orlando.
In 2001 he became co-anchor for the first Spanish language television newscast in the market, Noticias 26, which was launched by the local Univision affiliate. Paul has continued to anchor both highly rated newscasts coming up on 20 years this next April – and for the past four years has also been producing and anhoring the late show. His passion for the craft, extensive knowledge of his native language, outstanding writing skills, simultaneous interpretation abilities, and ad-libbing skills have proven invaluable in his career, earning him the respect not only from the community he serves on a daily basis but also from his peers.
Paul has been recognized by local awards such as Premio Paoli and the International Association of Poets and Writers award – Pluma de Oro, amongst others. He won his first Emmy® award in 2018 in the Informational/Instructional category and has been nominated in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2019.
Paul Gamache is a truly high caliber news professional and mentor for many young Latino journalists and interns that have had the privilege of working in the same newsroom with him.
There is no doubt that when you speak of excellence and credibility in Spanish language news in the Central Florida market, there is one name that stands out: Paul Gamache – Senior News Anchor for Noticias Univision Orlando.
Laurie Jennings
Laurie Jennings is a six-time Emmy® award-winning TV news reporter and anchor who has made her mark on South Florida. For 15 years, Laurie led WPLG’s highly rated weeknight newscasts — reporting live from major world events including the 1st U.S. Tour of Pope Francis, the passing of Nelson Mandela in South Africa and the earthquake in Haiti. Laurie has been deeply involved in the South Florida community since 1998 through United Way, Voices for Children, Holtz Children’s Hospital and Chapman Partnership for the Homeless. After giving birth to extremely premature twins in 2006, Laurie became a spokesperson for the March of Dimes. Laurie graduated from Cornell University with high honors in government. She earned her master’s from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Laurie’s TV news career started in 1990 in Youngstown, Ohio, at WKBN (CBS) and then in Cleveland at WJW (CBS) — earning her first regional Emmy® awards reporting from Mexico and Armenia. By 1997, Laurie was Boston’s morning anchor at WHDH (NBC) and reported live from Northern Ireland. That reporting led her to the evening anchor desk in Miami. Five years leading WSVN (FOX) launched Laurie to the network level and MSNBC in 2003. She hosted 2-4 hours of breaking news daily, served as substitute anchor on “CNBC with Brian Williams” and “The Lester Holt Show”, and presented the news on “Weekend Today”. WPLG drew her back in 2004 to become their main anchor.
“Miami New Times” voted Laurie “Best TV News Anchor” 2012. “Florida Monthly Magazine” voted her “Best TV Anchor” 2010. “Broward/Palm Beach New Times” voted Laurie “Best TV News Anchor” 2008. Laurie received Voices for Children’s “Most Valuable Protector” Award and United Way’s “Starfish Award”. Laurie was just named a March of Dimes “2019 Woman of Distinction”. Laurie and her husband are busy raising their 14-year-old twin boys, Luke and Jake. Laurie has launched her own media business “Laurie Jennings LIVE” as she continues to be a face and voice representing the best of South Florida.
Jose Jimenez
Jose Jimenez loves technology and is highly skilled at troubleshooting everything from broken equipment to malfunctioning edit systems. He began his career in broadcast engineering after completing his training as an Electronic Engineer at the Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas in Bogota Colombia. Prior to moving to the United States he worked at the National Institute of Radio and TV in Bogota.
In 1989 he joined the staff at WPBT2 in Miami as a Maintenance Engineer and later he was promoted to Supervisor of Technical Maintenance.
Jose implemented the transition from bulky tape to tape editing machines to the first computerized editing systems hardware that required constant attention. He continues to provide technical (and moral) support to the station’s editors and is currently building brand new 4k edit systems, using an entirely software-based workflow. His technical skills and expertise support all of the station’s local productions, including Star Gazer, CheckPlease! South Florida, Your South Florida, KidVision, and Changing Seas. In addition, Jose helped implement the station’s transition from SD to HD broadcasts, which involved building a new master control from scratch and updating the station’s transmitter.
All these industry changes have come with their own technical challenges and growing pains, and Jose has been right there in the trenches, making it his mission to troubleshoot any issues as they arise — not an easy feat when faced with the constant pressures of broadcast deadlines!
Jose also provides technical support for WPBT2’s studio productions, including the long-running, daily national news program Nightly Business Report.
Jose takes pride in his work and is considered the go-to-guy at the station to troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise. Without his know-how and hard work behind the scenes, many of the station’s programs may not have made it on air. We can’t think of anyone more deserving for this award honoring 25+ years of dedicated service in the Suncoast Region’s broadcasting industry.
Julie Montanaro
Julie Montanaro has one of the most recognizable smiles in Tallahassee.
Julie is an award-winning journalist who anchors WCTV’s Eyewitness News at 5 and Eyewitness News at 6 each weeknight.
She’s been anchoring and reporting at WCTV for 30 years and has covered everything from contentious elections to high-profile trials to devastating hurricanes.
Julie recently served on the board of Florida’s Associated Press and has won numerous AP Awards, including the distinguished “Individual Achievement Award” three times.
Julie is the driving force behind PBJ PLZ – a WCTV drive with Leon County Schools and Second Harvest that collects tons of peanut butter and jelly for hungry kids. The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation recognized her with its Service to America Award for it in 2018.
Julie serves on the United Way of the Big Bend’s board of directors and chaired its 2016 community campaign. She is a longtime volunteer with the Christmas Connection and helps many other charities with fundraising and events throughout the year.
Julie graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
She enjoys music, writing, traveling and spending time in the great outdoors. Most of all, Julie enjoys spending time with her two favorite people, her husband Zack and daughter Natalie. Silver Circle Each year the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences accepts nominations for the prestigious Silver Circle.
If you would like to submit your recommendation for future Silver Circle recipients, please go to suncoastchapter.org and fill out the nomination form.
Nominations are considered by the Suncoast Chapter’s Board of Governors. They evaluate the nominee’s contributions and then vote for inductees by secret ballot. The Board must vote unanimously to induct a nominee into the Silver Circle. No more than six individuals are inducted into the Silver Circle in any given year. The selection process is kept confidential.
Silver Circle Nomination Form
® Credits
Suncoast Chapter President Barbara Alfonso
Suncoast Chapter Executive Director & Staff Karla MacDonald Deviyani Panchal Christine Blake
Producers Victor Fernandez John Mays
Editors Victor Fernandez Matt Conover
Suncoast Chapter Design Director Stacey Panson
Animation Cynthia Beauclair Little Big Bang Studios
suncoastchapter.org