NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES
San Francisco / Northern California Chapter
About Us
Our Chapter
Since its founding in 1949, our Chapter has played a vital role in recognizing excellence in television and media throughout the region. From the earliest days of broadcast television in the Bay Area to today's evolving media landscape, the Chapter has remained dedicated to honoring outstanding achievement through the Emmy® Awards while supporting the professionals who create, inform, educate, and entertain.
With a rich history spanning more than seven decades, we continue to celebrate the legacy of our industry, preserve its history, and foster a strong community of media professionals across our diverse geographic region.
Our Region
The San Francisco / Northern California Chapter proudly serves television and media professionals throughout the following communities and markets:
- San Francisco / Oakland / San Jose
- Sacramento / Stockton / Modesto
- Fresno / Visalia
- Honolulu
- Reno
- Monterey / Salinas
- Chico / Redding
- Eureka
- U.S. Territory of Guam
Connect With Us
Steve Shlisky
Executive Director
office@emmysf.tv
510-646-1951
Board of Governors
Chapter officers include the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. Officers are elected by the Board of Governors.
Governors are elected by the Chapter’s Professional and Life members. One half of the Board is elected each year to serve staggered two-year terms. Governors may serve up to two consecutive full terms, after which a minimum one-year sabbatical is required.
The Board meets monthly, typically on the second Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., virtually via Zoom. Meetings are open to all members.
For information about the next Board meeting, contact: office@emmysf.tv.
Officers
President
Santa Clara County
Office of the Sheriff
Vice President
ARC Law Group
Secretary
Photographer
Treasurer
Media Cool
Past President
KCRA 3
Executive Director
NATAS
Governors
Technology
CSUMB
Education
Keepsake Studios
Education
NMG Network
Gala
KRXI-2 News 4
Awards
ABC Owned Television Stations
Gala
KOLO
Awards
KNTV NBC Bay Area
Finance
Freelance
Education
Reel True Stories
Gala
KNTV NBC Bay Area
Committee Chairs
Executive Committee Chair
NATAS
Awards Committee Chair
KHON 2
Education Committee Chair
NMG Network
Finance Committee Chair
Gala Subcommittee Chair
KRXI-2 News 4
Marketing/Membership Committee Chair
KMPH
Technology Committee Chair
CSUMB
Past Presidents
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, San Francisco/Northern California Chapter
Chartered October 6, 1961
Randy Forsman
2020-2022
Steve Shlisky
2016-2020
Keith Sanders
2012-2016
Javier Valencia
2009-2012
Lynn R. Friedman
2006-2009
David Mills
2002-2006
Cynthia Zeiden
1998-2002
Ronald Louie
1996-1998
Darryl R. Compton
1996
Linda Giannecchini
1992-1996
John Odell
1989-1992
James Lautz
1986-1989
Stanley G. Burford
1981-1986
Dave McLean
1980-1981
Jack A. Armstrong
1977-1980
Galen Daily
1976-1977
Joseph M. Russin
1976
Robert W. O'Connor Jr.
1974-1976
Richard R. Rector
1971-1974
A. Richard Robertson
1969-1971
Rolfe Peterson
1967-1969
Russ Coughlan
1966-1967
David M. Sacks
1965-1966
Louis S. Simon
1964-1965
John Butler
1963-1964
Seymour Horowitz
1962-1963
William Hollenbeck
1961-1962
Northern California Academy of Television
Chartered 1953
Florence Dieves Fowler
1957-1958
James R. Eakin
1956-1957
Leo Diner
1955-1956
William Winter
1954-1955
Lee Giroux
1953-1954
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at San Francisco
Chartered November 30, 1949
Howard McGill
1952-1953
Harold P. See
1951-1952
Philip G. Lasky
1950-1951
David M. Crandell
1949-1950
President
Santa Clara County
Sheriff's Office
Brooks Jarosz
Brooks Jarosz is the Senior Communications Officer for the Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff, where he leads the Media Relations Unit, serves as chief spokesperson, and oversees communication strategy, crisis response, and public engagement for one of California’s largest law enforcement agencies.
With nearly 20 years of experience across journalism, broadcast news, and digital media, Jarosz brings a newsroomtrained approach to simplifying complex issues, providing clarity during critical incidents, and strengthening community trust. He previously served as an investigative reporter at KTVU FOX 2 in the Bay Area, following earlier reporting roles with WSYX ABC6 in Columbus, Ohio, and WSAZ in Charleston, West Virginia.
Jarosz currently serves as President of the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of NATAS. He is a fivetime Emmy® recipient and an Edward R. Murrow Award winner, and has been honored with the Governors’ Service Medallion for his leadership and contributions to the chapter.
In addition to his communications work, Jarosz teaches media relations and social media courses for law enforcement executive leaders, equipping them with practical tools for navigating today’s evolving media landscape.
He is a graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and a Toledo, Ohio native.
Vice President
ARC Law Group
Mark Pearson
Mark A. Pearson is a founding partner at ARC Law Group (arclg.com), a San Francisco based law firm focused on counseling Creative, Talented and Entrepreneurial clients. His primary practice areas involve forming business entities, counseling on trademark & copyright issues, and drafting contracts. His list of clients includes musicians, actors, film & television producers, live entertainment companies, video game developers, online content providers and artists. Mark has negotiated deals with Disney, HBO, LucasFilm (Skywalker Sound), the Golden State Warriors and MTV Networks.
Along with his practice, Mark also serves as the Legal Chair on the Board of Governors for the San Francisco/Nor-Cal Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and as an Advisor Board Member for California Lawyers for the Arts Music Business Seminar.
Mark received his B.A. from Arizona State University (1997), and his J.D. and Intellectual Property Law Certificate from Golden Gate University School of Law (2005) in San Francisco. He is a member of the Intellectual Property Law Section for both the ABA and California Bar Association.
Before becoming a member of the Bar, Mark was an award-winning television journalist. He covered a variety of national and local stories for several network affiliates, including a two-year stint on the Iditarod Trail in Alaska for ABC.
An accomplished author and public speaker and is often asked to speak or is interviewed for his views on copyright, trademark and the entertainment industry. Mark is also a contributor to the Business, Entertainment, Sports & Technology (B.E.S.T.) Law Blog and Podcast (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/business-entertainment-sports/id513764391?mt=2).
Mark can be contacted at mark@arclg.com. You can find ARC Law Group at arclg.com.
Secretary
Susan A. Bradley Photography
Susan Bradley
Susan A. Bradley is an independent photographer specializing in Dance, Performance, and Event Photography and is beginning to apply her skills as a freelance videographer also. She began photographing both the Gold & Silver Circle and Emmy® Galas for the Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in October 2017 as a “Rover.” She also photographs the Chapter’s mixers.
Susan enjoys working with beginning photographers/videographers in part because she sees them as both a source of inspiration and a challenge to give back to the community that nurtured her.
Currently she is participating in the NATAS Mentor/Mentee Program as Mentee under Governors Steve Shlisky and Michael Moya and is a newly elected governor serving on the Chapter’s Board. Susan continues her courses in Photography and Media Communications at a local Community College.
In her spare time, she cares for a cat colony in West Oakland, enjoys family and friends, and working on personal photography and video projects.
Treasurer
Media Cool
Alison Gibson
Alison Gibson currently serves as the Treasurer for the San Francisco/Northern California chapter of NATAS. Her expertise in budget and production management comes with many years of experience in the Bay Area and abroad. She is the owner of MediaCool and Timeline Productions, two strategic communications companies she founded in 1991 to serve broadcasters, corporations and the legal community. She was chair of the Education Committee for 10 years, and has been honored with the Governors’ Service Medallion.
Past President
KCRA 3
Randy Forsman
Randy Forsman is a nine-time Emmy® Award-winning director at KCRA in Sacramento, California. His career began in 1997 when at the urging of his high school video production teacher Robert Garcia, he took an internship at KCOY in Santa Maria, California. Throughout the years he has been the director of newscasts at KSBW in Salinas, California as well as WPTZ in Plattsburgh, New York before eventually being hired by KCRA where he has been directing since 2007.
His many directing credits include a 2010 live California Gubernatorial debate between Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown, a 2016 live California Senate debate from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, as well as numerous other live specials from town halls to community telethons. In addition, he directed the live webcasts of the 47th and 48th Annual Northern California Area Emmy® Awards.
Since 2015, Randy has served the board as governor, secretary, and is currently a national trustee of the San Francisco / Northern California chapter of NATAS. In 2018 he was awarded The Governors’ Service Medallion for his efforts.
Aside from directing, Randy and his wife travel the country to compete in facial hair competitions to raise money for various local charities. In addition to winning numerous bearding trophies since 2017, they document their experiences on their YouTube channel “The Fursmans.”
Executive Director
NATAS San Francisco /
Northern California
Steve Shlisky
Steve Shlisky is a 39-year veteran of the Bay Area television production community (KTVU, KICU, and KNTV). A major portion of that time has been spent producing, writing, and editing local programming, ranging from short-form PSAs, promotions, and commercial spots to longer-form news features, sales presentations, and full-length entertainment and documentary programs.
Among his many honors, Steve has received 14 local Emmy® Awards, 13 Telly Awards, and 6 RTNDA Awards. He has also received these local Chapter Awards: The Governors’ Service Medallion in 2013, the Silver Circle in 2014, and the Governors Citation in 2021.
Since 1999, Steve has lectured at San Francisco State University (in their BECA program) and Laney College, where he has co-chaired the Media Communication department since 2011. Past subjects have included: Documentary Production, Beginning Video Production, Audio Aesthetics with Pro Tools, Advanced Editing, Work Experience, and Media Literacy. Steve has written the textbook “Documentary Culture” as part of California’s Open Educational Resources Initiative, which provides free and low-cost learning materials for Community Colleges.
Steve has served as a National NATAS Trustee, the local San Francisco Chapter president, Chapter Treasurer, the chair of the Education Committee, and the chair of the Activities & Program Committee. He is currently the Acting Executive Director of the Chapter, now retitled the SFNC Chapter of NATAS, Inc.
CSU Monterey Bay
Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter is a seasoned media professional with over 25 years of broadcast television experience and a proven track record in the industry. He began his career at KCBA FOX35 in 1987 as a Production Assistant at just 16 years old. Over the next 15 years, he advanced through various roles in news and commercial production for FOX and NBC, ultimately becoming a Creative Services and Operations Manager at KSBW NBC8. During his tenure, Chris produced thousands of commercials and marketing campaigns while mentoring numerous broadcast professionals.
Chris, an Emmy®-winning producer, has achieved notable success in the film industry. He produced a short film showcased at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010, and another of his short films has been accepted to the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. He recently earned an Emmy® for Best Short Sports Documentary, further cementing his reputation as a skilled storyteller.
Chris’s expertise spans custom content creation, editing, production management, and videography. Through his company, Honest Engine Films, he continues to produce compelling documentary and narrative films for television distribution.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Chris is a Senior Adjunct Professor in the Cinematic Arts & Technology department at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB). With over 20 years of experience in higher education, he has developed and taught courses such as Practical Application, Compositing, Art of Producing, and Advanced Broadcasting. His dedication to higher education and mentorship has empowered countless young adults and alumni to excel as ethical and hardworking media creators.
Chris has also contributed to industry development through leadership roles, including as Chair of the Management Relations – Membership sub-committee from 2020 to the present. His combined experience in broadcasting, filmmaking, and education highlights his unique ability to bridge industry and academia, making him a respected figure in both fields.
In his free time, you’ll find Chris working on doc and narrative films for television distribution through his company: honestenginefilms.com.
KQED / Bridge Media Company
Priya Clemens
The veteran journalist and Bay Area resident has more than 15 years of television news experience working for a variety of national and local outlets, including CBS News, NBC News and KTVU.
Clemens’ extensive broadcast journalism background had her crisscrossing the country covering some of the most important stories of the early part of the millennium. As a national correspondent for CBS News (2008-2012), she reported for the CBS Evening News and The Early Show, anchored the CBS Weekend Early Show news desk and filled in as host of the Saturday and Sunday CBS Evening News. At CBS, she covered pivotal moments such as the financial meltdown of 2008, and interviewed such notable figures as Donald Trump, Warren Buffett and Kobe Bryant.
As a general assignment reporter covering breaking news for Bay Area Fox affiliate KTVU (2005-2008), she covered a multitude of stories, including a major San Francisco Bay oil spill and the murder trial of journalist Chauncey Bailey. At NBC News (2002-2004), Clemens served as a producer and news associate for NBC Weekend Nightly News, Dateline, Nightly News with Tom Brokaw and News with Brian Williams. She also spent extensive time as an embedded campaign reporter for NBC/MSNBC covering Vice President Dick Cheney’s bid for re-election and Dick Gephardt’s campaign for the Democratic nomination for President. Clemens has also been a journalist at KOIN in Portland, Oregon; WVTM in Birmingham, Alabama; KKFX in Santa Barbara, California; and the Orange County News Channel.
More recently, Clemens served as Director of Public Affairs for the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, where she managed communications and media for the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Ferry and Golden Gate Transit bus system.
Clemens was born in Chennai, India, and grew up in Virginia, California, Brussels and London. She earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Westmont College and her master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California, where she graduated with honors.
Education
NMG Network
Gerard Elmore
Gerard is an Emmy® award winning writer/editor/producer/director who has a range of experience varying from television production, film, music videos and TV commercials. His TV commercials have won multiple local Peles (ADDYs) & a national Gold ADDY award. Gerard is the Lead Producer at NMG Network (nmgnetwork.com), a former lecturer at the Academy for Creative Media, Manoa and West Oahu. He also serves as the Executive Director for the 'Ohina Short Film Showcase, ohina.org, that is designed to help local filmmakers promote and screen their films in Hawaiʻi. Currently, his NMG produced short film, RED HOUSE, was winner of the EMERGING ARTIST award at the Tao Shortz Film Festival, the NMG original film, Ka Huaka'i, that he shot & directed continues to screen at film festivals around the world and he has worked to develop and produce HI-WAY (Hawai'i Way), htyweb.org, a unique, innovative show for kids during these unprecedented times.
KRNV 4
John Linn
In the short time I have been in news I’ve been blessed with a rich career filled with opportunity both personally and professionally.
I grew up in a family of journalists so, of course, never planned on being one myself. Several years ago, after about a decade in youth services and juvenile justice, I realized that the press is where I belonged despite my best attempts to avoid it.
Over the past several years as my responsibilities have increased at my station, I have done my best to mentor and encourage those who have come after me. I believe our highest calling as we advance is to serve and give back. That is why I am applying to be a member of the NATAS SF/NorCal Board of Governors. I hope to serve not just my station or the people in my market, but the industry as a whole. I believe due to my short time in the industry, and being in a middle market, I will bring a different perspective to the Board than many others would. Participating in the Mentor Match video and judging over the past year has been a good beginning, though I feel I can offer (and owe) more to the industry that has been such a large part of my life and has given so much to my family and me.
KGO ABC 7
Paula Marcheschi
As a Bay Area native, Paula Marcheschi grew up watching ABC7. In 1991, she went to work at her family’s favorite station, starting out as an intern in KGO-TV’s Programming Department. Paula has always had a passion for journalism and once she learned how to edit video, she was hooked on the TV business! After gathering experience in nearly every department from News to Marketing and even Accounting, Paula currently serves as the Director of Creative Services for ABC7 KGO-TV and the ABC Owned Television Stations. No stranger to hard work, Paula happily tackles any project that comes her way — promos to long-form premium content, graphic packages to set design. For her efforts, she’s won 9 regional Emmy® awards. In her (minimal) spare time, Paula also supports the Bay Area arts scene and local sports — go, Dubs! Paula is entering her third term as a NATAS Governor, has served as Vice-Chair of the Awards Committee, and the Emmy® Gala Chair. Paula still loves to edit.
KOLO 8
Terri Russell
Terri Russell is unique in that she is a native Nevadan from Reno who attended local schools through high school, ultimately graduating from Reno High School. She then attended Arizona State University, where she earned a degree in broadcasting.
Returning to her roots, Terri began her broadcasting career as an associate director for KTVN in Reno. Given an opportunity to advance by then news director Ed Pearce, Terri steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a producer, general assignment reporter, medical reporter, and fill in anchor.
In 1989, Terri moved to Las Vegas, where she produced and reported a medical segment that aired seven days a week for KVBC. In 1995, she moved into a writing position at KPTV in Portland, Oregon, and a year later became an anchor and reporter at KTCI in Vancouver, Washington.
In 1997, Terri moved back home to be closer to family and was hired as a medical reporter by KOLO News Channel 8. She is currently a general assignment reporter with KOLO, appearing Monday through Friday on the 5:00, 6:30, and 11:00 newscasts.
Terri has received numerous awards and accolades, including an Emmy® Award for a series of reports on organ transplantation titled “The Silent Heroes.”
She has also received multiple Emmy® nominations, most recently for her half hour program “Extreme Makeover Mustang Edition,” which examined a unique wild horse adoption program pairing trainers with four year old mustangs.
The 2009 program also received an Associated Press Award, as well as recognition from the Radio and Television News Directors Association.
In 2006, Terri received an Edward R. Murrow Award for an investigative series titled “Are You Covered?”
She has twice been awarded a Kaiser Family Foundation mini fellowship in health reporting.
Terri has served as vice president on the Board of Trustees for the San Francisco Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, and in 2005 she received a special commendation for her work with the Academy at the Emmy® Awards.
In 2013, she was recognized by the NorCal RTNDA for two programs she produced, wrote, edited, and narrated. Best Public Affairs Program: “Run, Retreat, Resist,” and Best Long Form Program: “The Other Side of the Fence.”
“Run, Retreat, Resist” was also nominated for an Emmy® by the San Francisco NATAS Chapter in 2013.
When not working, Terri enjoys riding her two horses in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, cooking, traveling, and caring for two cats and her bloodhound, Wyatt.
NBC Bay Area KNTV
Kris Sanchez
I am proud to say that I just celebrated my 25th anniversary as a working journalist. I’ve spent the last 18 years working for KNTV, NBC Bay Area as a reporter and anchor, mostly for our early morning newscast, “Today In The Bay.”
I also report for Telemundo Area de la Bahia, delivering reports in Spanish, and produce relevant and accurate news content for our social media platforms. Previously, I anchored and reported at KGPE in Fresno, KVIA in El Paso, Texas, and KJCT in Grand Junction, Colorado. I also worked as a correspondent at Channel One News, which delivered current events newscasts into 8 million middle and high schools across the country.
I am a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism and have bachelor’s degrees in journalism and in Spanish Language. I grew up in Colorado, where I was born, Venezuela and Texas.
I live in the South Bay with my husband, a fellow journalist, and our two California-born daughters.
It is a tremendous responsibility and a gift to deliver the stories of our communities and to provide reliable information to help people make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Finance
Iron Pine Media
Lexi Sisk
Lexi Sisk from Fresno, CA. Studied Business and graduated from UCLA. With over 6 years of experience working in Television. I enjoy donating my time and using my skills and experience to give back to the television community. Currently an active judge on the Telly Awards Judging Council, I am also a current member of the Television Academy. I have been with Valley PBS for over a year working as technical crew for live pledge shows and raffle drawings in the studio. Spring of 2019 I started a full service production company with my Husband, Iron Pine Media LLC serving the central valley.
Reel Time Stories
Beth Tribolet
I am an award-winning network investigative TV news producer and media consultant who develops non-fiction narratives into books, episodic television programs, feature films and documentaries.
Throughout my career, I have focused on stories that advance justice for the underserved and that hold powerful individuals, government and corporations accountable. At ABC News, I managed the Law & Justice Unit, a team of lawyers and producers that reported on major legal cases and exposed injustices in the legal system, government and corporations.
I would be honored to serve as a NATAS Governor. I would see it as an opportunity to protect journalists and to safeguard our critical role as the Fourth Estate.
As a media consultant, I have guided clients through the thickets of media in ways that are designed to influence public policy debate, challenge accepted norms, and build positive perceptions. My clients include a US Congressman, a commonwealth attorney, a mayoral candidate, lawyers and non-profits. Since 2010, I have advanced my clients’ interests by means that include on-camera interviews, placement in print and on broadcast news, as well as book and television contracts.
I have won two national Emmy® Awards and a Sundance New Producers Fellowship. I was part of a team that won DuPont and Emmy® awards for a weeklong series on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for Nightline. I have a B.A. in history from Harvard-Radcliffe College, and an M.F.A. in film producing from Columbia University.
KNTV NBC Bay Area
Kevin Wing
It may be fate that San Francisco Bay Area native Kevin Wing grew up to become a multi-Emmy® Award-winning television journalist. By the time he was 10 years old, Kevin knew he wanted to be a TV reporter and anchor one day. At that young age, he was already glued to watching the evening news with his mother after she would come home from work. So it was that, on the day she kept him home from school to nurse a bad cold, it ended up being a big day for breaking news in the Bay Area: newspaper heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped that day. Fremont’s native son watched the story unfold on the local newscasts with wall-to-wall coverage while being inspired by the likes of legendary KGO-TV anchor Fred Van Amburg (whose family was friends with the Wing family before Kevin was born). Kevin didn’t realize it at the time, but that day would turn out to be a serious glimpse at his future. Now, for 40 years, Kevin remains a part of the Bay Area television community, working in Bay Area and Northern California TV news in a variety of on-air and behind-the-scenes roles, as a reporter, special projects producer, field producer, writer, assignment editor, producer, assignment manager and anchor. Since 2009, he has been with KNTV NBC Bay Area in San Jose, and since 2024, he has also been teaching broadcast and print journalism across town at his alma mater, San Jose State University. Kevin is also faculty advisor for SJSU’s award-winning legacy student newscast, “Update News”, the same broadcast he cut his teeth on as a student years ago. TV viewers from coast to coast are also familiar with Kevin’s work. From 2006 to 2017, he was a San Francisco-based ABC News producer and correspondent, sharing Bay Area and California stories with viewers across the country on “Good Morning America”, “World News Tonight”, “20/20” and “Nightline”. Kevin was still attending SJSU when he began his television career in June 1986, as a summer news intern and writer at KICU-TV in San Jose. The following year, he joined Fox affiliate KTVU in Oakland as weekend assignment editor. In 1988, he accepted his first full-time TV job when he moved to San Diego to join CBS affiliate KFMB-TV there as an assignment editor. The following year, he returned to Northern California to become a news anchor and reporter at NBC affiliate KIEM-TV in Eureka. While there, he anchored the Sunday evening newscasts and the weekday morning cut-in reports during NBC’s “Today” show, heading outside afterwards to report for the station’s weeknight newscasts. After two months on the air, Kevin became the No. 1-rated news anchor on the North Coast. At the time, he was the only Asian American male news anchor on the air in California. Eventually, he returned to the Bay Area, and to KTVU, with the debut of the station’s then-new morning newscast, “Mornings On 2”, in late 1990. Beginning as the broadcast’s original assignment editor, a role he held for a decade, Kevin soon expanded his responsibilities to include feature and news reporting for the morning show and for the station’s legacy “The 10 o’clock News”, the No. 1 prime-time newscast in the country. It was a dream come true for him, only made possible by KTVU’s legendary news director, Fred Zehnder. During an era when KTVU and KNTV in San Jose were not considered direct competitors, Kevin also worked as a freelance news reporter at the South Bay station, from 1994 to 1998. Kevin remained with KTVU until 2000, when he joined ABC O&O KGO-TV in San Francisco as its South Bay Bureau assignment manager based in San Jose. Remaining with the station for four years, he was also a news writer and producer at KRON-TV in San Francisco. He has also served in media relations and communications roles to broaden his horizons, first as a spokesperson for BART and then as a spokesperson for the VTA BART Silicon Valley Extension project to San Jose and the South Bay. In 2023-24, he was Director of Media Relations and News for Saint Mary’s College of California, in Moraga. Before returning to SJSU to teach, a glimpse at an academic teaching career arrived when he was appointed faculty advisor in 2017 at his first collegiate alma mater, Ohlone College in Fremont, where Kevin taught print journalism for three years to students on “The Monitor”, the college’s weekly newspaper, the very same publication where, as a student decades before, he served as editor-in-chief. In 2024 and 2025, Kevin was special projects producer for CBS affiliate KOVR in Sacramento, working on consumer investigative stories, and producing investigative series for CBS News California Investigates, the stories of which aired not only on KOVR but on KPIX in San Francisco and KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. On the Board of Governors of the San Francisco/Northern California Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Kevin has served in numerous roles during the last 20 years. In 2007, he began writing the long-running “Gold & Silver Circle Profiles” series for the “Off Camera” newsletter, full-length profiles of the Chapter’s distinguished inductees. He has interviewed more than 125 inductees thus far. He has also served on the Gold & Silver Circle subcommittee and the Emmy Gala committee, and was chair of the Archive/Museum Committee from 2020 to 2026. From 2010 to 2012, he served as Chapter secretary before assuming four two-year terms as San Francisco vice president from 2012 to 2016 and again from 2020 to 2024. For a decade, from 2014 to 2023, Kevin co-hosted the Emmy® Red Carpet Show during the Chapter’s annual Emmy® Awards Gala in San Francisco. Throughout his career, Kevin has received numerous honors for his work, including two regional Emmy® awards for best breaking news story and best daytime newscast at KTVU in Oakland. He has been nominated for an Emmy® six times, including in 2018 and 2020 for his work at KNTV and in 2025 and 2026 for his work at KOVR. He has also earned honors from the Radio Television Digital News Association, Associated Press Television Radio Association, San Francisco Peninsula Press Club, Joey Awards, Communicator Awards, Telly Awards and the San Francisco Bay Area Publicity Club. In 2026, Kevin received the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association for continuing coverage of an investigative series he produced at KOVR for CBS News California Investigates. In 2013, recognizing Kevin for his more than 25 years of contributions to the Bay Area and Northern California television industry, the Chapter inducted him into the distinguished Silver Circle, joining fellow inductees that include his friends and mentors, Zehnder and Van Amburg. Earlier that year, the Chapter honored Kevin with the Governors’ Service Medallion for his service and dedication to the Chapter community. Born in Oakland and raised in Fremont, Kevin graduated from Ohlone College and San Jose State University. He is a seventh-generation Californian. His family arrived in the Golden State in 1854, post-Gold Rush era, four years after California became a state. He was also inspired to aim for a television career by his parents. His mother was a fashion model in the late 1950s and early 1960s. During the same period, his father appeared in movies and on television and was featured in Bay Area TV commercials of that era. Kevin’s interests include anything to do with the outdoors, along with running, cycling, working out at the gym and staying fit. He enjoys traveling, photography, writing and spending time with family and friends and volunteering at his church. He is also writing a series of children’s books. Kevin has been involved in the community for many years. In his hometown of Fremont, for instance, he was handpicked to emcee the city’s annual and popular Fourth of July Parade, an event he was proudly part of for 20 years between 1999 and 2019. He is often invited into Fremont classrooms to speak to budding journalism students about careers in journalism and television news.
Awards
KHON 2
Pamela Young
Pamela Young is currently a special projects producer/reporter at KHON 2. Her journalism career started at KPIX and KQED in San Francisco after earning a Bachelor and Master's degrees at SF State. She is a 12 time Emmy® winner and Peabody recipient. She is the producer and host of “Mixed Plate”, Hawaii’s longest-running news feature series. She currently holds the position of NATAS Awards Chair and is an inductee into the Gold Circle for 50+ years in the broadcast industry.
Marketing
KMPH FOX 26
Jim Jakobs
Jim Jakobs is currently the News Director for KMPH-Television in Fresno. He began his career in 1995 at KCRA-Television in Sacramento, and did stints at KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco, KOVR-TV in Sacramento, KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City and back to California where he worked for 7 years at KFSN-TV in Fresno.
He’s passionate about promoting young professionals during the early stages of their careers and wants to help grow the Fresno influence through the local NATAS chapter.
History
San Francisco / Northern California Chapter
In 1948 the television industry in the Bay Area was born as people joined together to further the advancement of television as a profession.
That same year the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was organized in Los Angeles, and the first Emmy® Awards were held at the Hollywood Athletic Club on January 25, 1949. The Los Angeles Board of Governors voted unanimously to give chapter status to San Francisco on November 30, 1949. The first President was David M. Crandell of KGO.
On March 24, 1950 the new Chapter’s first Emmy® Awards were held in the Gold Ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel; and Phil Lasky of KPIX, who had been selected the second President, received the Emmy® for Station Achievement. Actor Charles Ruggles was the emcee that night and Ben Alexander the announcer. Entertainment included Mindy Carson, Ella Mae Morse, Hogie Carmichael and the Tai Sing Dancers from Club Shanghai.
The second phase of this organization’s existence happened when the 4th Annual Emmy® Awards rolled around. By this time the Chapter had formed its own organization called the Northern California Academy of Television, and created its own statue.
Then in 1956 talks began between New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco about the formation of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Seattle and Washington/Baltimore ultimately joined the fold and the new organization was born in 1957, but without San Francisco. After the 1957 awards, the Northern California Academy of Television folded.
On May 22, 1961, a group of about 25 representatives of the local television scene met with Harry Ackerman, NATAS President and Gail Patrick Jackson, President of the Los Angeles Chapter in the Royal Suite of the Sheraton Palace Hotel to discuss the possible formation of a San Francisco Chapter of NATAS. The group was very positive, and decided to appoint an interim committee to set up the bylaws and procedures for this new Chapter. That committee consisted of Ken Langley, California TB and Health Association; Nancy Besst of KGO; Martha Conger, J. Walter Thompson; Ben Draper, “Science in Action;” Don Arlett, KTVU; and Herb Rickles of TV Guide. Florence Fowler, Vista Productions and Jack Armstrong of TV Guide sat in as honorary members.
On July 28 at the Peacock Court of the Mark Hopkins Hotel, 200 members of the local TV industry were joined by a Hollywood contingent to determine interest and support. At a third meeting held on August 29th at the Press and Union League Club, headquarters for the new Chapter, an election committee was formed to nominate a Board of Governors. The following individuals were elected officers: Bill Hollenbeck, President; Ken Langley, 1st Vice-President and Trustee; Jim Baker, 2nd Vice-President; Martha Conger, Secretary and Nancy Besst, Treasurer.
The third phase of our history happened when the National Trustees officially voted in the new Chapter on October 6, 1961.
The first Emmy® Awards of the San Francisco Chapter were held on March 22, 1972 at the Peacock Court of the Hotel Mark Hopkins and honored programming broadcast in 1971. There was no Best News Award that first year.
This Chapter devotes itself to preserving the history of television in Northern California, Hawaii and Reno, Nevada. Let us look forward to the future!
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was founded in 1955. It is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News, Sports, Daytime, Public Service and Technology.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering, and Business & Financial Reporting. Regional Emmy® Awards are given in 19 regions across the United States. NATAS also presents the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Global Media Awards™ which recognizes excellence in the world-wide intersection of digital entertainment and technology. Emmy® Awards given out for primetime programming are presented by our sister organization, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional Student Television Awards for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public.
Emmy® Copyright and Trademark
Emmy® Name and Emmy® Statuette Policies
The Emmy® name and the Emmy® statuette are the trademarked property of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“NATAS”) and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“ATAS”). Additionally, the Emmy® name, logo and statuette are licensed to the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“International Academy”) for International Emmys®.
- Emmy® honorees or those congratulating them may at any time refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that the honoree has received an Emmy® award and may for one (1) year after an award is made, use a replica of the statuette in advertising and publicity which appears in print, by broadcast or over the Internet.
- During each year Emmy® nominees or those congratulating them may refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that the nominee has been nominated and, provided that such nominees are clearly identified as such, may during the period from the announcement of nominations until the following awards presentation use a replica of the statuette subject to the requirements set forth below.
- Broadcasters, cable services and Internet sites may use the Emmy® name and statuette in connection with promotional announcements for programs or broadcasters (or the like) which in fact have been awarded an Emmy® as long as it is done within one (1) year after the awarded has been awarded and not thereafter.
- Subject to obtaining specific authorization from the chief operating officer of the appropriate Academy (i.e. the NATAS for Daytime Emmy®, Sports, News & Documentary, and Technology & Engineering Emmy® presentations and other regional Emmy® presentations and ATAS for Prime Time Emmy® and Los Angeles Area Emmy® presentations), sponsors of Emmy® Awards presentation may use a copy of the Emmy® statuette and the Emmy® name in advertising provided that (i) the advertising occurs at or near the time of the presentation of the Awards show and (ii) advertising makes specific reference to such sponsorship of the show. No other commercial use of the Emmy® name or statuette is permitted.
- In the case of DVDs, videos and electronic productions, Emmy® honorees and/or producers of Emmy®-honored programs may reference the fact of their receiving an Emmy®; however the statuette may not be used unless it is capable of being removed from all copies or transmissions within one year after the award is granted.
- Whenever the statuette is used it should appear facing left and must be accompanied by ® at its base (denoting trademark protection). The word “Emmy” is also trademarked and whenever possible its use should appear as follows: “Emmy®”. Any deviation from these instructions must be pre-approved. A copyright notice for the statuette is no longer mandatory, but when used should read “©ATAS/NATAS”.
The Academies have adopted the following rules concerning use of clips from their respective Emmy® awards presentations:
- Use of Excerpts from Emmy® Award Presentations in News Programming and Similar Programming:
Audio and audiovisual excerpts from Emmy® Award presentations may be used in news broadcasts (Including Internet transmissions) about these events which occur within two (2) days from the time the presentations are initially presented, except that excerpts may be used in week-end-type news shows during the weekend following the initial presentation. Exceptions to the two (2) day limit must be approved in writing by the chief operating officers of the applicable Academy. In the case of news reports in foreign countries, excerpts may be used during a reasonable period (to be approved by the chief operating officer of the Academy involved) following the presentation or the first broadcast of the event in the foreign territory, if later. In addition to uses described above, and, subject to clearance as outlined below, the policies governing use of excerpts for other news purposes are as follows:
- Excerpts may be used in current news stories which relate to a recipient of an award, e.g. a current news story regarding a recipient (such as a death or marriage);
- Excerpts may be used in retrospectives and similar programs and documentaries dealing with the career or history of recipients;
- Excerpts may be used in another awards show.
- Use of Excerpts in Entertainment and Other Programming:
Excerpts of the presentation of an award may be used in a promotional announcement for a period of one (1) year following the granting of the award, provided that the primary purpose of the promotional announcement is to congratulate the program or individual so honored:
- Excerpts of Emmy® Award presentations may be used in DVDs, videos and Internet uses of both pre-existing productions and of new productions provided that the primary purpose of the use is to honor the awardee (e.g. a DVD containing a year’s series of a show that received an Emmy®). Additionally, with authorization from the appropriate Academy, excerpts may be shown at non-broadcast public events (e.g. a dinner) provided the primary purpose of use of the excerpt is to honor the individual or program honoree who/that is the subject of the excerpt.
- Excerpts may be made available to individual and program Emmy® honorees for personal and Internet use. In the case of Internet use, excerpts may be furnished digitally, or when possible, from a hosted site whereby the excerpt may be embedded. In any case, the digital excerpts shall be non-broadcast and not capable of redistribution or download. Internet license is limited to one hosted source, embedding can be enabled, but all other forms of redistribution including downloading are not allowed.
- In all cases, the user of the excerpt must assume (and will be deemed to have assumed) all clearance obligations, i.e. clearance of individuals (other than uses in current news shows), union clearances and music clearances.
- Use of Excerpts in Commercials.Except as provided above for promotional announcements, excerpts from an Emmy® awards presentation may not be used in commercial advertising.
Although the Academies will permit certain uses of the Emmy® name and statuette in other contexts, the unrestricted use of the same violates both the value and stature of the Emmy® and may serve to dilute the marks. Therefore the following uses, although permitted under some circumstances, always require prior express written authorization from the chief operating officer of the Academy from which authorization is sought:
- Use of Emmy® Statuette or Certificate as a Prop in a Production. If authorized, the Emmy® statuette or a replica of a nomination certificate may be used as a prop in a production provided that (i) the use is in no way derogatory to the Emmy®, (ii) the use is incidental to the primary story of the production, and (iii) the script and other detail regarding the use has been submitted as a precondition to the Academy’s consideration of its authorization.
- Use of Emmy® Replicas; Re-Creations of Emmy® Awards Presentations. Requests for use of replicas of the Emmy® and requests to recreate or simulate an Emmy® Awards presentation must be submitted to the Academy from whom authorization is sought; each request will be considered by the chief operating officer (in consultation with counsel); in cases where authorization is denied, the applicant may request re-consideration by the Executive Committee of the Academy from which authorization is sought.
- Use of Emmy® Name or Statuette in Published Works, Websites, and the Like.
- If approved, the Emmy® name and/or statuette may be used in connection with printed works, websites and the like, provided that the work is of an educational or informational nature and the reference to the Emmy® name or statuette is non-derogatory and is reasonably related to the purpose of the work.
- With prior approval, Emmy® honorees may from time to time use pictures of themselves receiving the Emmy® statuette or otherwise holding the Emmy® statuette in personal resumes and the like. Pictures of Emmy® winners receiving their Emmy® statuettes or otherwise holding the Emmy® statuette may also be used in printed materials and websites and the like featuring biographical material about such honorees, provided that the use is reasonably related to the biographical material.
- With prior approval, the Emmy® name, logo and/or statuette may be used on DVDs or similar productions that include programs that have received a program category Emmy® award, indicating that the program has been so honored. Except in unusual cases, as determined by the appropriate Academy, approval for such uses for programs for which individual achievements (but not program category awards) were given will not be allowed.
- Uses on Stationery, Business Cards, and the like: Nothing shall preclude an individual or entity from stating the fact that such individual or entity is an Emmy® honoree on their/its stationery or business card, provided that neither the Emmy® logo nor the statuette is used in connection with such factual statement, it being understood that any such use of the logo or the statuette is specifically prohibited.
- Use of Emmy® Name or Statuette in Merchandising Prohibited: The Emmy® name and/or statuette may not be used on commercial products or in connection with any merchandising items except with prior approval of the Boards of the Academies. This restriction does not apply to branded merchandising given away at an event with an Academy’s approval, e.g. an Emmy® name or logo on a give-away gift.
These provisions apply to NATAS; readers should contact each of the other Academies to determine their applicable rules as to sponsor identification and Emmy® show activities
- Consistent with the Trademark policy prohibiting use of the Emmy® name and logo for advertising and merchandising, the following applies to corporate sponsorship partners of NATAS:
- Sponsorship partners may, clearly, identify themselves as associated with NATAS; however they may not use the Emmy® name and logo on their products or in advertising material unless specified in the sponsorship contract with NATAS. NATAS’ marketing department or chief operating officer must approve all graphics.
- Sponsorship partners that get tickets for a show/dinner may use them for employees and clients, but may not offer to re-sell them. Use of tickets for contests must be specifically approved by NATAS.
- The same rule applies to broadcasters of the shows or their affiliates.
Foundation
The TV ACADEMY FUND, INC. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), established to administer scholarships, grants, fellowships, research and programs that will advance the art and science of the television industry.
Tax-deductible donations may be sent to:
4523 Pleasant Valley Court North
Oakland, CA 94611-4221
(510) 646-1951
The Television, Radio and Newspaper Museum of Northern California’s archives will continue to grow through contributions from local television and radio stations, commercial and non-commercial broadcast and cable networks, producers, publishers, reporters, photographers and individuals interested in preserving our broadcast and newspaper history.
Media Museum of Northern California
The Media Museum is accepting tax-deductible contributions, cash donations and endowments through the TV Academy Fund, Inc., a non-profit, 501(c3).