Board of Governors

Executive Committee

Board Members 2026 - 2027

Board Members 2025 - 2026

Ex Officio

office

Executive Committee

Jennifer Jones

Chapter President

Jennifer Jones is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She started her career at ABC 15 News (KNXV) in Phoenix and began working at CBS 5 News (KPHO) in 2003. During her time there, she served as the Managing Editor for the Local News Share, a video share between the local CBS (KPHO), FOX (KSAZ), and ABC (KNXV) affiliates. She is currently a Senior Content Coordinator for Arizona's Family (CBS 5 KPHO and 3TV KTVK) and divides her time between special projects and segment producing for The News @ 3p.

Jones began her NATAS career as a college student, holding posts as Vice-President and President. In a professional capacity, she has served on the Board of Governors for the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter since 2001. She was treasurer from 2002 to 2006, from 2012 to 2018, and again from 2022 to 2024. She also served as Treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Emmy® Foundation from 2019 to 2025. From 2006 to 2012, she held the office of President and is honored to serve once again. Jones has completed the Phoenix Citizens Police Academy, the FBI Citizens Academy, and is a certified Fire Journalist with the Phoenix Fire Department.

Kelton Wells

First Vice President
& Awards Chair
Utah

Kelton Wells is an experienced television journalist, having worked as a producer and executive producer in Salt Lake City for more than a decade.

He currently oversees production of all public affairs programming at PBS Utah including Utah Insight, The Hinckley Report, and The Governor’s Monthly News Conference. In 2022, Wells helped launch the new talk-show, Roots, Race & Culture, focused on the perspectives and shared experiences of Utah’s Black and POC communities.

Previously, Wells spent the better part of a decade at KSTU Fox 13 in Salt Lake City, most recently as executive producer. In addition to overseeing the station's flagship News at Nine and coverage of the 2018 midterm and 2020 general elections, he received regional Emmy® nominations for the special reports "Targeting Faith" and "COVID-19: The Turning Point".

Wells recently completed a fellowship with the Public Media Diversity Leaders Initiative through the Riley Institute at Furman University. Fellows were selected from public media organizations around the country. Participants engaged in curriculum and experiential learning tools that support public media leaders in their efforts to apply diversity, equity, and inclusion principles within their organizations.

As a life-long Utahn, Wells draws upon his experiences growing up in coal country and the high desert of eastern Utah to influence his belief that everyone has a story worth sharing. He believes in the power that comes through listening to others and learning from those with vastly different backgrounds than your own. It was that natural curiosity that led him to pursue a career in news and broadcasting.Wells graduated Summa Cum Laude from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. As a student, he received two awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for his reporting on Aggie TV News.

When not coordinating productions, conducting interviews, researching, or editing video, Wells enjoys a night at the theater, exploring new restaurants, cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with friends and loved ones. He is also a musician, singing with the Utah Chamber Artists and the Utah Symphony Chorus in his spare time.

Windsor Smith

Second Vice President & Events Chair

Windsor Smith is currently the Programs and Events Specialist at NASCLA, where she focuses on marketing, public relations, and event planning. Before joining NASCLA, she worked as the 5 p.m. News Producer at ABC15 Arizona, where she earned four regional Emmy® awards: Best Evening Newscast (2022 and 2024), Live News Producer (2023), and Breaking News Coverage (2024). She also received a Rocky Mountain Student Production Award (Best College Newscast, 2016), an Edward R. Murrow Award, and a Broadcast Education Award.

During her time at ABC15, Windsor mentored students at the Walter Cronkite School and contributed to community initiatives such as "The Second Chance Bike Drive" and the "ABC15 Water Drive."

Born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, Windsor attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, earning an undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism, a master’s degree in Communication, and a certificate in Special Events Management.

Todd Martin

Secretary

Todd is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and has worked at KTVK in Phoenix for over 30 years. He was hired right out of college as a videotape editor for KTVK in 1993. He then went on to staff the station's Flagstaff Bureau as a photographer from 1994 to 1998. In 1998 he returned to Phoenix as a general assignment photographer/editor and regularly flew in the station’s helicopter.

In the early 2000’s, he transitioned into the Special Projects unit, and now mainly focuses on the “On Your Side” unit. “On Your Side” has recovered over $1 million for viewers during the time Todd has been involved.

Over the years Todd has covered stories such as the Investigation into the Oklahoma City bombing, Rodeo-Chediski fire, Hurricane Katrina, World Series and multiple Super Bowls. He also worked on a cooking and lifestyle show called “Everyday Entertaining”.

Todd has expanded his skills to include being a Certified Fire Journalist from the Phoenix Fire Department, and received his Type-2 Wildland Firefighting certificate through the Prescott Fire Department. He is an FAA certified drone pilot for KTVK/KPHO and also engineers and edits podcasts. He has continued to acquire new skills throughout his career.

His main passion is inspiring and mentoring upcoming journalists. He guest lectures at schools throughout the Valley and at ASU.

Todd has over a dozen regional Emmy® nominations and 6 regional Emmy® wins. In 2023 he was inducted into the Rocky Mountain Southwest Silver Circle Society.

In his free time he loves to hike and has completed over 20 triathlons. He is married to his wife Michelle, who is a middle school principal.

William Pitts

Treasurer

William Pitts has been a journalist for 25 years, beginning at age 15 in rural Arizona. He is a multiple Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy®, Associated Press, Headliner and Gracie-award-winning reporter and multi-skilled journalist for 12News. He previously reported at KEPR, the CBS affiliate in Pasco, WA and KREM, the CBS station in Spokane, WA.

He got his start in journalism at age 15 when he was hired as a teen reporter for the Apache County Observer. Within a few months, he was promoted to Senior Staff Reporter and supervised a staff of 15. He graduated from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he was recognized with the Hearst National Journalism Championship for Radio Reporting in 2005.

He recently celebrated 12 years at 12News. He is also an FAA licensed drone pilot and Chief Drone Pilot for 12News. After entering the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the last 12 years, Will is excited for the opportunity to bring new ideas to the board.

BOARD MEMBERS 2026-2027

Michelle Carpenter

Education Chair

Michelle Bauer Carpenter is the Executive Director of the School of Communication at Northern Arizona University, a professor, award-winning filmmaker, and Creative Media and Film educator. She is deeply passionate about people, storytelling, creative practice, and education — and is dedicated to building inclusive, supportive learning environments.

Over the past 30 years, Carpenter has built a career that bridges leadership, film, design, and higher education. She has collaborated with grassroots organizations and major institutions, including INDEX: Design to Improve Life, the Getty Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Roosevelt Institute, and Human Rights Watch International. She previously served on the Heartland Chapter of the NATAS Board of Governors as Chair of the Education Outreach Committee.

As a filmmaker, Carpenter has produced, directed, and edited award-winning documentary films that have been screened at national and international festivals, art venues, and she is a four-time regional Emmy® Award winner. Her latest work, Dr. Eddie Henderson: Uncommon Genius (released for Black History Month) celebrates the life and legacy of the renowned jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player. The film is currently airing nationally on PBS and screening at film festivals across the country.

Ryan Laughlin

New Mexico

Ryan Laughlin has worked a decade in television news and is currently an investigative reporter at KOB 4 in Albuquerque. Originally from Minnesota, he began his reporting career in the Fargo–Moorhead market after graduating cum laude from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire with a degree in journalism.

His first major assignment after moving to New Mexico was leading coverage of the state’s first documented terrorist compound, where extremists were training their children to carry out school shootings—reporting that earned national and international attention. His investigations have exposed systemic failures that allowed a child sex offender to access public schools, leading to policy changes; revealed how university police departments used a legal loophole to avoid wearing body-worn cameras; and uncovered how out-of-state investment firms were exploiting mobile home park residents.

A six-time regional Emmy® Award recipient, Ryan’s recent award-winning work includes Continuing Coverage for his in-depth reporting on the Alec Baldwin involuntary manslaughter trial. As a first-time member of the Board of Governors, Ryan is committed to being an advocate and resource for journalists across New Mexico, supporting their professional growth, strengthening their connection to the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys exploring the outdoors, snowboarding, hiking, and taking advantage of the Southwest’s wide-open spaces. He is an ice hockey goalie and continues to find ways to hit the ice whenever he can.

Gina Santiago

Gold & Silver Circle Vice Chair

Gina Santiago, Regional Commercial Production Manager for Tegna, joined the KPNX 12News team in December 2019. She started as a Marketing Producer and quickly moved into the Commercial Production Manager role, eventually advancing to the Tegna Corporation. Prior to joining Tegna and KPNX 12News, Gina worked for three decades with KTVW Univision Arizona. Her most recent role there was managing commercial and promotion production. Throughout the years at KTVW, she wore several hats, including directing and technical directing live and live-to-tape shows, producing/coordinating promos, news and commercial spots, reporting for Nat sound news packages, and editing and producing news and special station programs. During this time, Gina also worked as an evening freelance ‘graphics stat producer-operator’ for local live sports, including the Phoenix Suns, Mercury, Arizona Rattlers, and Phoenix Coyotes, for nearly 10 years.

Santiago got her career jumpstart in broadcasting while working as a teacher’s assistant and internship coordinator in the television program at South Mountain High School. She not only assisted with the TV classroom production but also coordinated students for their Univision internships while floor directing alongside them on a live two-hour show, which turned into a full-time producer position.

Santiago is originally from the Peach State, Atlanta, Georgia. Gina started her career in the television industry right out of high school. Since then, she has raised her five children and graduated from the University of Phoenix with a BS degree in Business Management. Some of her career highlights include producing a live and live-on-tape Spanish morning show for 20 years, winning a Telly Award for producing a Spanish morning show, receiving several regional Emmy® nominations for news stories she’s covered, and earning seven regional Emmy® Awards in her career. In 2019, she was inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle Society in the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter.

Santiago has been serving on the NATAS Board of Governors since 2014. Gina is passionate about the planet and animal welfare. She loves Latin music and dancing, yoga, volunteering, and traveling anywhere, anytime. A fun fact about Gina: she enjoys doing ghost tours in each city or town she visits for the “colorful” historical background they provide. She has yet to see a ghost.

Heidi Goitia

Heidi is currently the co-host of ABC15's lifestyle show, Sonoran Living. Prior to this role, she spent ten years at KTVK/KPHO anchoring the morning news for CBS5 and Good Morning Arizona, where she earned two RMSW Emmy® Awards for her work as an anchor and reporter.

After graduating from Northern Arizona University with a dual degree in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations, Heidi began her on-air career as the evening anchor of KNAZ, a small station in her hometown of Flagstaff, AZ. After taking time off to spend time with her three young children, she returned to television, this time in Phoenix as an associate producer for Good Morning Arizona. She quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a booking producer, then a feature reporter for GMAZ. From there, she moved into the role of traffic anchor for CBS 5 This Morning and shortly thereafter became the show's co-anchor.

Heidi is passionate about supporting journalists and the important work they do in the community. She serves as a mentor to young reporters and storytellers, helping them hone their craft and achieve their career goals.

An Arizona native, Heidi feels lucky to be enjoying a successful career in her home state and is honored to have the opportunity to continue serving members of the Rocky Mountain NATAS chapter.

Sue Breding

Sue Breding has been a proud and dedicated Chapter board member for many years. As a Silver Circle Society inductee, she leads the annual Gold & Silver Ceremony Dinner event efforts honoring new inductees from the Rocky Mountain/Southwest region. The Gold & Silver Circle Society recognizes individuals who demonstrate both excellence in journalism and a strong commitment to community service—values Sue is passionate about celebrating in a meaningful and lasting way.

A multiple Emmy® Award–winning journalist, Sue spent nearly 20 years as a news reporter at AZ Family in Phoenix and several years at KCAL-9 in Los Angeles. While in Southern California, she also served as The Weather Channel’s on-air live news reporter during major weather events across the region, further underscoring her trusted role in high-stakes storytelling.

Today, Sue serves as Communications Director for the City of Glendale, where she leads an award-winning team recognized as the 2024 Communications Team of the Year by the Phoenix PR Society. As an executive leader for the city, she also oversees Glendale’s video team and continues to produce and host work that has earned multiple recent Emmy® nominations and wins.

Her honors include six national Telly® Awards for storytelling excellence, three regional Emmy® Awards, recognition as an Outstanding Woman in Business by the Phoenix Business Journal, and the 2025 national Award of Excellence for Media Relations & Best Team from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In 2023, she was also named National Communicator of the Year by 3CMA, representing city and county communications professionals nationwide.

Sue’s commitment to community service is equally strong. She is a recipient of the Arizona Governor’s Council Award for Outstanding Service to the Community, is a Silver Circle NATAS/RMSW Chapter inductee and was thrilled to have served this past year as Conference Chair for the Arizona Women Leading Government 2025 Conference, which empowers hundreds of emerging female leaders from across the state over the course of a two-day event.

Warren Trent

Warren Trent is an award-winning journalist with more than four decades of television broadcasting experience. He recently transitioned from broadcast journalism to assume the role of Public Information Manager for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

In addition to his role as manager, Warren also hosts an internal broadcast program with AZDPS Director Jeffery Glover, where he and the Colonel discuss timely issues of importance to both the sworn and professional staff. Warren also produces the AZDPS ‘Seven Points Podcast.’

Philadelphia, PA, is where Warren was born and raised. His journalism career began at 6ABC, consistently one of the most dominant and successful local television stations in the country. His duties at "Action News" included special projects production, magazine show production, bureau chief, assignment editor, sports producer, video editor, and other important roles.

In addition, Warren is a former Assistant News Director at WJTV, the Nexstar-owned station in Jackson, Mississippi. Warren is no stranger to the Phoenix television market, having previously worked at Arizona's Family as a consumer/investigative producer, where the unit helped recover well over $1,000,000 for consumers. Warren also previously reported for the Varsity Zone Sports show and was an assignment editor.

Throughout the years, Warren has received numerous journalism awards. In 2022, he was part of Arizona's Family Investigative Unit, which captured a 2022 Edward R. Murrow Regional Award. Warren has earned multiple regional Emmy® nominations and, in 2022, received a Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy®.

In 2023, Warren and his WJTV news team captured a first-place award from the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters. That same year, Warren received a first-place Salute to Excellence award from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for a Black History Month broadcast special. Warren is also a 2023 graduate of NABJ Leadership Academy.

Warren enjoys mentoring and being connected to the community. He is excited to volunteer his time as a Board of Governor member for the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of NATAS. He is also a past president of the Arizona Association of Black Journalists.

In addition to his NATAS and NABJ memberships, he is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOPA) Lodge 32, and a long-time member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

In his downtime, sometimes just for fun, Warren occasionally juggles.

Mike Harris

Mike Harris is a six-time regional Emmy® Award winning photojournalist and member of the Silver Circle.

After graduating from Northern Arizona University, he began his career with an internship at Conus in the Washington D.C. bureau in 1993. Once the internship ended, he stayed in DC and worked the Assignment Desk at WTTG. During that time, Mike also ran studio camera for McLaughlin and Equal Time, both on CNBC.

Mike left the D.C. area to do video production work in Sedona, AZ and then in Flagstaff.

Mike began shooting video full time in 1995 when he went to work at KGET in Bakersfield and then moved up the road to Fresno.

In 1997, Mike returned home to Arizona when he joined the photography staff at KTVK in Phoenix. Eight years later, Mike went across the street to KPHO where he spent another eight years.

Mike left the news business to spend more time with his young son in 2013. He worked for the ADOT Video team before moving to the City of Glendale where he has been a MMJ since late 2017.

In his free time, Mike enjoys hiking and spending time with his friends and family.

BOARD MEMBERS 2024-2025

Bob Adlhoch

National Awards Chair

Bob has been part of the sports television community in the Valley since 1990. After graduating with honors from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University with a BA in broadcast journalism, he worked for 5 years as a freelance graphics operator and producer. After 6 years at Cox Communications, the Phoenix Suns hired Bob in 2001 as their TV producer / director. He was later promoted to Executive Producer, overseeing content for, producing and directing Suns game broadcasts on Fox Sports Arizona, Bally Sports Arizona and now, Arizona’s Family Sports. He’s also taken a selfie at center court of every NBA arena.

On the home front – Bob married the first girl he ever kissed (5th grade game of spin the bottle), although he took the scenic route. Kellie (ASU ’94) works in global merchant services at American Express and is always the life of the party. Daughter MacKinley (ASU Cronkite class of 2020) lives in New York City. Son Jackson is a sophomore at ASU Cronkite, majoring in Sports Journalism.

Bob serves as the National Awards Chair of NATAS, as well as a volunteer advisor to both his high school alma mater, Seton Catholic Prep, and St. Vincent de Paul of Phoenix. He is the recipient of multiple Emmy Awards for producing, directing and writing and was selected to the 2009 class of the Phoenix Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 and the 2017 class of the NATAS Silver Circle Society.

Board Members 2025-2026

Donna Rossi

Awards Vice Chair

Donna Rossi is a reporter’s reporter. After spending four years as a Phoenix police officer, she decided to change careers and become a journalist in 1987. After attending ASU and working as an intern at KOOL-TV in Phoenix, she moved to Flagstaff in 1989 where she became the assignment editor, reporter and news anchor for KNAZ-TV NBC 2. While working full-time at KNAZ, Rossi also graduated cum laude from Northern Arizona University with a degree in broadcast journalism. In 1992, Rossi moved to Tucson, where she worked as the weekend anchor and weekday reporter for KOLD-TV CBS 13, for two years.

Rossi joined KPHO-TV CBS 5 in 1994, and covered many of the highest profile stories in the state. She covered the 1999 sleepwalking murder trial of Scott Falater, the 2004 trial of Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas O’Brien for a fatal hit and run accident and the two Jodi Arias murder trials. She also spent two straight weeks in northeastern Arizona during the summer of 2011 covering the Wallow Fire, the largest wildfire in Arizona history. She was also instrumental in bringing to the forefront the issue of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in law enforcement with a series of first-hand accounts from officers who trusted her to tell their stories. That series was helpful in getting a new state law on the books to better protect law officers with PTSD.

A past president of the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter, Rossi is a member of IFP/Phoenix, a non-profit organization of local film and documentary makers. She has won more than a dozen Arizona Associated Press awards and earned five Rocky Mountain Emmy^® Awards. In 2015, Rossi was inducted into the Silver Circle.

After 29-years in broadcast journalism she retired in February 2018. Later that year, she was inducted into the Arizona Broadcaster’s Association Hall of Fame. Rossi currently works as Director of Communications for Phoenix Police Department. She is also an adjunct faculty member of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.

Before becoming a police officer, Rossi was an employee of Eastern Onion singing telegram service. One evening in January 1980, a customer asked that a “Gorilla-gram” be sent to someone attending a Phoenix Suns game at the Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum. She was not working that night, so her co-worker, Henry Rojas, went instead. Rojas’ appearance at the game, especially when he danced to music during a timeout, caused quite a sensation. Rojas was invited back to subsequent Suns’ games and eventually became “The Gorilla.” We will never know what would have happened had Donna Rossi been working at Eastern Onion that night in January 1980, but her broadcast colleagues and TV news viewers throughout Arizona are grateful for her career path.

Doug Mummert

Doug Mummert is a “baby-boomer” born in Hollywood, California. He attended Phoenix College, Grand Canyon University and Arizona State University. Following serving in the U.S. military, he joined the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, where he retired as a Chief, in 2015. He was a founding member of the department’s All Hazards Incident Management Team, an original member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) Team for Arizona. Mummert also served on the FEMA USAR National Incident Support Team as a Public Information Officer (PIO) and has also served as a PIO for his department. He was the long-time host and producer of Phoenix Fire’s weekly radio program, Valley Watch, which airs on several Arizona radio stations in cooperation with Bonneville Broadcasting, on KTAR AM & FM, as well as KPKX FM. He is a Public Safety & Media/PR advocate & consultant. Mummert’s odyssey into production took off in the early 90’s when he appeared in episodes of On Scene Emergency Response, in the film, No Code of Conduct and in a documentary on the 100th Running of The Indianapolis 500 produced by ServusTV. He also served as a technical advisor on the program America’s Most Wanted and as a public safety coordinator on film sets. Around this same time, he started a production communications business in his “spare time.” Some of his clients included General Motors, The US Army, Kraft Foods, Nike and many other well-known TV and film production companies. In 1994, he moved into the realm of producing, writing, directing, shooting, and editing. This all began with creating safety and training videos for the Phoenix Fire Department. In 1997, he took over the job as managing director of the Phoenix Fire Television Network and has since produced, written, shot, and edited many training and public service productions. With the help of many, he created the program, Phoenix FireWorks in 1998, which would ultimately fill a void in educating and informing the public about topical Fire Department related issues. Thanks to an excellent collaborating production team, the program has garnered critical acclaim and has received or been nominated for many awards, including the WorldFest Film Festival, NATOA Government Programming Awards, Telly Awards and Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards. Doug has contributed to, or been featured on many radio programs & podcasts, as well as many magazine/newspaper articles and columns and serves as an analyst & contributor for LiveNOW from FOX.

In 2001 he was proud to be elected to the Board of Governors for the Rocky Mountain/Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

He is a past or present member of the Arizona Production Association, International Television Association (ITVA), National Information Officers Association (NIOA), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

Doug is the President & Chairman of the Phoenix Fire Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Phoenix Fire Department and serves on the board of directors for Arizona Search Dogs. When he is not working, you can find him spending time with family & friends, traveling and supporting many other charitable/community causes.

Isaac Easley

Isaac Ike Easley is an Arizona native who loves storytelling. A graduate of the Walter Cronkite school of journalism he started his career as a content producer at MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas. There he created media for big marquees on the strip and was a food photographer and videographer. While in Vegas he started his production company Take It Easley Productions. 13 years later his company has produced videos for many non profits and corporations including The Super Bowl, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics Arizona and Lululemon just to name a few.

In 2014 Isaac came back to Arizona and he became a content producer for the Phoenix Suns and Mercury for 6 years. At the same time he became an adjunct professor at the Walter Cronkite school of journalism where he taught sports videography for 6 years as well.

He later became a tv host for a hiking show on Arizona PBS called “Trail Mix’d”. Ike won a Rocky Mountain Emmy^® Award for best TV Host and also won a regional Emmy ^® Award for video production during his time at the Phoenix Suns. Isaac has also won multiple Telly and Anthem awards.

Jennifer Doan

Jennifer Doan’s career spans more than two decades in television broadcasting and public relations.

While attending the University of Oklahoma, Jennifer worked at KOKH in Oklahoma City as a Production Assistant. After graduation, Jennifer was awarded an RTNDF News Management Internship at KPHO. Jennifer stayed in Phoenix after the internship, taking a job at KSAZ, joining the weekday Fox 10 Morning Show team, booking and producing segments that connected with audiences across the Valley.

Jennifer’s live television career is amplified with sports broadcast production experience working on major events for MLB Network, the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Coyotes, Arizona State University sports, and others. Jennifer has also produced games for the IFL Bay Area Panthers and the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds. Her recent ventures into film include roles as a co-producer on Daddy Daughter Trip and as Production Coordinator for Condition of Return, two features shot in Arizona.

After 26 years in local news, Jennifer transitioned to public service, taking on the role as Marketing and Communications Manager at the City of Peoria.

Jennifer is deeply committed to her community, serving on the Phoenix Sister Cities Commission, the board of VNSA (which supports Arizona charities through used book sales), and the board of Reach Out Alumni Assistance Network, which helps Up With People alumni facing hardships (Jennifer traveled with the organization in 1998). She also serves as a Fiesta Bowl Foundation Ambassador.

For the past thirteen years, Jennifer has served on the Board of Governors for the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences - Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter, where she is the outgoing secretary and has previously held the role of Second Vice President and Chairperson/Producer for the regional Emmy^® Awards gala.

Kacie Talamante

Kacie is a 17-time regional Emmy^® Award Winner, including multiple awards for Best Producer in the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter and Best Newscast. Kacie also received an Edward R. Murrow Award, the National Headliner Award, and a National Emmy^® Nomination.

Kacie has spent the last 24 years dedicated to journalist in Arizona, working in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma. She feels now more than ever local journalists are needed to hold the powerful accountable and make sure all voices are heard.

Kacie has a strong passion for the truth and loves helping tell people’s stories in compelling ways. She has more than two decades of experiences and is constantly learning new skills in the industry.

Micah Johnson

In 1987, Micah Johnson became the youngest male anchor at CNN Headline News. He was the “voice” for much of the network, including LARRY KING LIVE. Moving to Washington, DC, he anchored for NBC, winning a gold medal at the Radio/TV Festival of New York for his anchoring of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Micah has been news director in several markets, vice president of news for a major broadcasting group, and president of an international Washington DC news service. He’s worked with the late Robin Leach producing red-carpet specials at the Billboard Music Awards, Country Music Awards, and several TV pilots.

He’s the founder of MediaStars, a television talent and editorial representation firm. The Agency prides itself on signing only a select group of clients to maintain personal attention. The firm is also a pioneer in social media and digital representation.

Micah previously served on the Board of Governors for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NATAS and is a member of ATAS. He’s previously been a member of the White House Correspondents’ Association and is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.

Ricky Vazquez

Social Media Chair
Tucson

Ricky is a television and media professional with over two decades of experience, having begun his career in 2004. Most recently, he served as Managing Editor at KVOA-TV in Tucson, where his newsroom earned three Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best News Series, Best Newscast, and Overall News Excellence, along with an Associated Press award for Best Continuing Coverage.

Ricky currently works in internal communications for Brightstar Lottery, producing and directing large-scale virtual and hybrid events for employees around the world. His work focuses on applying broadcast-quality storytelling and production standards to internal communications at scale.

Earlier in his career, Ricky was part of the team that launched what is believed to be one of the first weekly streaming television shows, produced for New England Championship Wrestling in 2004, years before platforms like YouTube existed. The project was an early, outside-the-box experiment in digital distribution that anticipated today’s streaming-first media environment. His background also includes television production for the Boston Red Sox, live entertainment as a professional wrestling ring announcer, and production roles on major motion pictures.

With experience spanning local news, sports, entertainment, and corporate media, Ricky is passionate about mentorship, media literacy, and supporting the next generation of journalists through strong storytelling, shooting, and editing fundamentals.

Theresa Johnson

Events Vice Chair
National Board of Directors - Treasurer

Theresa Johnson is the Managing Partner, Director of Operations for Hire Story. She has spent much of her career developing employment and job seeker-related content for media outlets across the country. Mrs. Johnson currently oversees the production and delivery of dynamic recruitment video content designed to help organizations across the country strengthen their employment brand and more effectively attract the right candidates. She is focused on all aspects of employment marketing execution, from brand strategy and recruitment video to copywriting and design.

She sits on the Executive and Finance Committee as Treasurer of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In addition to serving NATAS in the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter and Nationally, Johnson sits on the Board of the AZDroneFest.

Mrs. Johnson is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Mass Communications at Arizona State University. She earned her MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Ex Officio

Amy Alvarez

Utah

Amy Alvarez is the News Director for Telemundo Utah, who has worked for 20 years in multiple cities in the State of Texas. Amy moved to Salt Lake City, UT during the summer of 2024 and her role, she oversees the news department and the news operations for Telemundo Utah.

Previously, she was the Executive Producer for Telemundo San Antonio (KVDA) from 2019. As Executive Producer, she oversaw daily news operations, as well as managing special coverage and led Telemundo San Antonio to multiple breaking news.

From 2004-2018 Amy served several roles including producer for Telemundo Dallas (KXTX) and Telemundo Houston (KTMD). Overseeing production, editorial content, and strategic planning, including the Olympics, electoral coverage and special shows.

During her time in San Antonio, she was a board member for the Lone Star Chapter for 2 years. Amy has been recognized with multiple awards including regional Emmy® award.

Driven by a desire to inspire and empower others to reach their full potential through education and mentorship, Amy adopts a collaborative approach to team building while fostering a supportive and cohesive environment where team members feel valued and motivated to work together towards common goals. Amy grew up in Caracas, Venezuela where she later graduated from the University of Santa Maria with a degree in Social Communication and Journalism in 2004. Upon graduation, Amy relocated to Dallas, Texas in 2004. Amy is happiest with her husband Chris raising their three children Ignacio, Andrés and Emma. Amy also enjoys painting, the outdoors and spend time with family.

Bob Adlhoch

National Awards Chair

Jay Yang, Ph.D

Jay Yang is an award-winning creative professional with extensive experience in sports media and digital content creation. He has collaborated with top sports teams, creating Emmy Award–winning and Webby Award–nominated content.

Jay is a Telly Award winner and a major contributor to the prestigious Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Governors' Award, the highest honor in the region. Known for his innovative approach to video production and his ability to bring fresh perspectives to digital content, Jay has made significant contributions to the industry.

His passion for blending creativity with technology has earned him recognition as a thought leader in the field, and he continues to mentor aspiring professionals while advocating for diversity and inclusivity in digital media.

John Craft

Gold & Silver Circle Chair

Dr. John Craft is Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University, having taught mass communications and broadcasting at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication for nearly 50 years, including a 12-year stint as Director of Graduate Studies, and was the senior faculty member of the School.

Prior to arriving in Arizona, Craft was a video quality engineer, camera operator, producer, and the Director of Staging and Lighting at station WOUB-TV in Athens, Ohio, the Director of Educational Television and Audio Visual Services for the Hancock County Schools in West Virginia, and the Director of Instructional Television at Ohio University. While at Arizona State University, he served as a media consultant for many corporations and school districts, including employment as Director of Video Services for Samaritan Health Services, corporate video consultant for Allied Signal and for Leisure World among others, and was a cable consultant for Tower Communications and for Times-Mirror Cable. He also has served as an educational media consultant for school districts in Arizona, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia.

In addition, he has produced EMMY® nominated television documentaries that have been shown on public television stations across the country, and has had his television programs distributed internationally, as well as having been broadcast on “The History Channel.” He is also the author of several media studies and broadcast textbooks as well as having articles published in Broadcasting and Billboard magazines. He has often been called on by many national and international broadcast and print media publications for his views on mass communication issues and has been a public speaker for the Arizona Humanities Council as well as for many other civic organizations.

Craft is a past trustee of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, has served as president of the regional chapter, and a current ex-officio member of the board, and the Gold and Silver Circle chair of the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He has served as president of the Phoenix Chapter of the International Television Association, treasurer of the Phoenix Cable Television Forum, and is a member of the board of the House of Broadcasting.

In 2008 he was awarded the “Excellence in Broadcast Education Award” from the Arizona Broadcasters Association. In 2022 he was awarded the “Governor’s Award” for his exemplary service to the Academy and to the broadcast community — the prestigious EMMY® award given each year by the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Craft is a member of the NATAS Silver Circle and was inducted into the Gold Circle in 2012.

John is married to Adela (Lelis) Craft, who is a university professor of management and the Director of Education for the Phoenix based DAS Foundation. He is the father of Dr. Lauren Craft of Fallbrook, California and Jennifer Hurst-Craft of Chandler, Arizona as well as step- daughters Ana Lucia Monet of Montreux, Switzerland and Alejandra Fernandez of Madrid, Spain. His granddaughters include Abigail Hurst and Carlotta Fernandez.

Juan Juarez

Juan Juarez has worked as a news reporter since 2015. He has worked at CNN, NBC News, Univision, and Telemundo. Most recently, Juan worked as a news reporter with Telemundo Arizona/ NBCUniversal. Juan is a three-time regional Emmy® recipient. He has always loved being involved in media and television.

Juan's love for the communication field started when he was a young high school student at South Mountain High School in Phoenix and was part of the Radio and Television Magnet Program, reporting for Jaguar News, the student-run weekly newscast. He has been fortunate to have had the experience of meeting and working with amazing professionals throughout his career. He interned at CNN in Washington DC, then jumped over to the Big Apple in New York City working for the NBC NEWS national news desk as an NBC/ NAHJ fellow in 2014. His experiences also took him to work in Las Vegas, Nevada, reporting for Univision, covering important events such as the tragic October 1 shooting at the Mandalay Bay in 2017.

Juan is excited to be part of the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors. As a bilingual and Spanish native speaker, Juan believes he will bring a lot of positive things to the board and help with important aspects of the organization's role and involvement within the community.

Joseph Ortiz

Joseph Ortiz has a Bachelors degree in Broadcasting with an emphasis in Video Production and a minor in English from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Ortiz has served on the Board of Governors for the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences continuously for nearly 35 consecutive years as both a voting member and an Ex Oficio member. He serves as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing for the Tolleson Union High School District handling media relations, social media, crisis communication, public relations and marketing. He interacts with television media in the Phoenix Metropolitan area on a weekly basis, writing press releases, pitching news stories, and responding to media requests. He has served as the Public Information Officer for the Phoenix Union High School District, the City of Tempe, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and currently as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing for the Tolleson Union High School District.

Ortiz has previously served on the Educational Access Governing Board for the City of Phoenix Education Channel, now known as Know 99. While at the City of Tempe, Ortiz oversaw the public information office, the graphic arts department and Channel 11, the city’s public affairs channel. He has also served as a panel leader and judge for Emmy® nominations, in both English and Spanish, throughout his entire time on the NATAS Board.

For many years, he coordinated the NATAS Scholarships for ASU broadcasting students. He currently serves on the board’s Student Awards Committee. Ortiz has been a presenter at the Rocky Mountain Emmy® Awards Gala and is on the 12 Who Care Committee for KPNX. Nationally, Ortiz has served on the Board of Directors of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) in Rockville, MD. and is an alum of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 under 40. In addition, Ortiz is a member of the Silver Circle, having been inducted in 2024.

Ortiz has been a mentor to countless numbers of broadcasting students and he has experience as a producer, videographer, scriptwriter, and editor.

Malachy Wienges

National Chair Emeritus

Malachy Wienges is currently the Chairman Emeritus of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Wienges served NATAS as its Chairman from 2011-2014 and as National Vice Chairman from 2008-2011 (two terms), and as its National Treasurer from 1990 to 1994 and from 2006 to 2008. In addition, he was the National Trustee of the New York Chapter from 1988 to 1993, and was an Alternate Trustee of the New York Chapter from 1985 to 1988. He also served as the National Trustee of the Rocky Mountain Chapter from 2002 to 2006. In addition, Wienges was a member of the National Awards Committee from 1992 to 2006.

Wienges spent an illustrious 31 years at the CBS Television Network. He began as a management trainee and rose to the position of Vice President, Sales/Marketing and Technical Systems. From 1975 to 1985, he was Producer of The CBS Thanksgiving Day Parades for which he was nominated for two Emmys. Mal also received three National Emmys, including one for technical achievement for the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, a second National Emmy® in 1992 for the NFL on CBS, and in 2021 a Daytime Emmy for” Girls Voices Now” as Executive Producer. In 2015 he received a Sabre Award for his 2014 production of the 2014 Daytime Emmy Awards telecast. In 2020 Mal received a OTT.X Impact Award for his production of “Not Quite Here, Not Quite There.”

Wienges is credited with originating the concept of remote production for daytime dramas (soap operas) when he took The Guiding Light to the Bahamas in 1976. Since then, Mal has participated in more than 152 location productions. Wienges was also nominated for three Daytime Emmys.

Wienges is an honors graduate from C.W. Post College with a B.S. in atomic and nuclear physics. He obtained a Masters of Science degree in engineering management from Long Island University. In addition, he is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Wienges has received national recognition including being listed in Outstanding Young Men of America, Who’s Who in Management and in the 2001 millennium edition of Who’s Who in Entertainment. Wienges has served as a Director on the Arizona Film Commission and was Chairman of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce from 2008-2011.

Wienges is currently President of Sedona Broadcasting and resides with his wife, Noreen, in Sedona, Arizona.

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Jessica O'Toole

Executive Director

Jessica O'Toole came on board in Spring of 2022. She is the point person for all committees, the event, membership and awards questions.

Jessica brings with her 15 years of experience in the news industry. She graduated with a BA in Film, Video & Television from Western Michigan University in 2007. Getting her first job out of College in her hometown of Kalamazoo, MI as an Editor at WWMT Newschannel 3. She worked her way up to Weekend Assignment Desk Editor then Producer before moving to Phoenix.

In Phoenix, she worked as a Content Creator at FOX 10 Phoenix in charge of booking guests, writing, editing & overall putting on a three hour show every Saturday and a two hour show every Sunday. In 2017, Jessica joined KPNX 12 News in Phoenix as a Producer for Today in AZ but quickly shifted into a Planning Producer role. As a Planning Producer she worked on short & long-term projects and was in charge of turning 'ideas' into reality.

She has a first-hand understanding of what many NATAS members do at work every day and just what it takes to create award winning content.

Jessica is also a mom of two boys, life long yogi and enjoys traveling & outdoor activities. NATAS members can reach her at jotoole@emmyonline.tv or 602-345-1532.

Betsy Hauge

Administrator

Betsy joined the team in February of 2024 as an administrator. Betsy is the best point of contact regarding the annual Student Production Awards.

Betsy spent over 15 years in the insurance industry handling auto and property claims with a major carrier including complex and high value claims. After having twins, Betsy shifted gears to become a stay at home mom for her three awesome kids. During that time, she also ran a website and newsletter reaching several thousand subscribers. The site focused on local activities, destinations, and information for families with children. Additionally, Betsy regularly volunteers at a local youth theater as well as her childrens’ schools.

Betsy is very excited to be joining the team! She can be reached by email at rmswadmin@emmyonline.tv.