The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Boston/New England Chapter has inducted six broadcasting professionals into its 2016 Silver Circle.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Boston/New England Chapter has inducted six broadcasting professionals into its 2016 Silver Circle.
The Silver Circle Induction is a special recognition by the NATAS Boston/New England Chapter to honor television professionals who have made significant contributions to their community, advancing excellence in the television industry, and helping individuals advance their careers in the field of television. Silver Circle inductees must have 25 or more years of professional service in a technical, performing, creative, or administrative role in television.
Honorees are from all over New England, and cover all disciplines, from news anchors to technicians, from managers to producers.
The event was held on November 30 at the Seaport Hotel in Boston.
The 2016 Silver Circle Honorees are:
Bill Green
WCSH-Portland, ME / Producer & Host
Bill Green is a lifelong Mainer. Born in Bangor (1953) he was educated in Bangor schools (Bangor High 1971) and the University of Maine (1976). As a freshman at UMaine, he worked as a cameraman at WLBZ 2 on Eddie Driscoll's "My Backyard" and "Dialing for Dollars" shows.
Bill recalls, "The first night I worked, March 17, 1972, I was asked to stay late and run camera for the news. As they played the opening music, and the camera light came on, I remember thinking, I'm going to do this until I'm 65."
Bill debuted as a sportscaster on WLBZ 2 in 1975. He moved to Portland in 1981 where he anchored weekend sports statewide on WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2. During this period, Bill began to flourish as a feature reporter and developed an expertise in recreation and the outdoors.
In 1993, Bill came off the anchor desk to produce feature stories and documentaries, including 10 documentaries on Maine and the environment under the banner "Color Me Green," in addition to his weekly features, "Green Outdoors" and "My Hometown."
In 2000, Bill Green launched an original series, "Bill Green's Maine." This program airs Saturdays at 7:00pm and has become the most-watched show in its time period. Among his many interesting life experiences which include climbing Katahdin three times, parachuting and SCUBA diving, Bill was a bone marrow donor to a young girl who lives Michigan. He is also a Registered MaineGuide. Bill and his wife Pam reside in Cumberland. They have two children, Sam and Emily.
Stella Gould
WCVB-Boston, MA / Producer, Chronicle
Stella Gould, award-winning field producer for WCVB's acclaimed nightly newsmagazine Chronicle, was inducted into The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Boston/New England Chapter Silver Circle on Wednesday, November 30th.
For more than thirty years, Gould has been instrumental to the success of Chronicle since she joined the program in 1983 shortly after its debut. Gould has traveled countless "Main Streets & Back Roads" in New England as well as to Europe and the Caribbean capturing the stories local viewers have come to count on from Chronicle.
Gould, along with her fellow New England television pioneers, were honored for their lasting contributions to the industry at the gala celebration that was held at the Seaport Boston Hotel's Lighthouse Ballroom. Fellow 2016 inductees include: Bill Green, Haig Papasian, Kevin Lemanowicz, Linda Polach, and Gene Valicenti.
"Stella has been the heart and soul of Chronicle, and a driving force behind the show's continuous innovation and success, for more than thirty years. I can't think of a better choice than Stella for inclusion in the prestigious Silver Circle," said Bill Fine, WCVB President and General Manager. "All of us at WCVB are so proud of Stella and salute this outstanding accomplishment."
Stella Gould is a field producer for WCVB's beloved, long-running nightly newsmagazine Chronicle. Gould has been honored with several Emmy nominations and two awards for her remarkable work producing programs on topics including public art and photography.
In addition, Gould has produced numerous special programs for WCVB. In 2003, she received a primetime Emmy nomination for POPS! Goes the Fourth and a local Emmy for a special on the Boston Pops 125th anniversary. Beginning in 1988 she produced WCVB's annual Salute to Symphony concert fundraiser and Holiday at POPS! and POPS! Goes the Fourth in association with A&E Network from 1990-2002. From 2006 – 2011, Gould produced the live Martin Luther King Day concert "Raising the Roof" featuring the Boston Children’s Chorus. She is also a supervising producer for WCVB's annual "Holiday Lights" telecast, airing live from the Boston Common.
Chronicle, the nation's longest running local news magazine, has been a recipient of multiple Emmy Awards, National Headliner Awards, duPont-Columbia University Awards, and Gracie Awards, among other distinguished honors. It airs at 7:30 p.m. on WCVB and has been capturing captivating stories regarding lifestyle, culture, and the New England experience since January 25, 1982.
Prior to her tenure at WCVB, Gould was an elementary music specialist in the Waltham Public Schools. Gould is a graduate of the College of Fine Arts at Boston University and received her master's degree from Simmons College.
Kevin Lemanowicz
FOX 25-Boston, MA / Chief Meteorologist
Kevin Lemanowicz was the first chief meteorologist for FOX25 News at 10 p.m. in 1996, and has guided viewers through all the twists and turns of New England weather for two decades.
Kevin loves the challenge of forecasting the changeable New England weather. A native New Englander, he has had the opportunity to see what a powerful impact weather has on the lives of New England residents.
Kevin's expertise helps bring in-depth forecasting and informed reporting to viewers across the region. It is common to see him on the air for hours without breaks just to keep the viewers in formed and safe during severe weather situations.
Kevin is active in the community, visiting with and speaking via Skype with area schools. He also shares his meteorology and science expertise with a variety of groups throughout the region, including the Weston Observatory, Boston College, and the Southern New England Weather Conference. Kevin enjoys interacting with followers on social media, including Twitter and Facebook.
Tracking severe and disruptive weather is his passion and Kevin has worked in a variety of meteorological capacities prior to FOX 25. Kevin was chief meteorologist at WTIC in Hartford, Conn. He has also worked at the New England Weather Service in Hartford, providing forecasts for private industry and radio stations. Prior to that, Kevin was a staff meteorologist at Fleetweather, Inc., where he tracked storms for radio stations in major markets like New York City and Philadelphia, schools, private industry, and the Weather Channel. Kevin began his career as a meteorologist at WVIT-TV in Hartford, Conn. While there, he also did consulting work with Northeast Utilities.
Kevin is a recognized Certified Broadcast Meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society and has been nominated 14 times for an Emmy for New England's Best Meteorologist. He is a strong supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and an active participant in the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes. Kevin graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology and is married with two sons.
Linda Polach
WGBH-Boston, MA / Executive Managing Editor
Linda Polach is the Executive Managing Editor of WGBH News, where she uses her three decades of media experience to help oversee news coverage.
Linda is leading the Foundation’s efforts to design and implement a satellite news studio in the Johnson Building of the Boston Public Library. She also oversees WGBH News.org.
Before coming to WGBH in 2007, Linda worked at WCVB-TV where she produced hours of live coverage of the Boston Marathon, Tall Ships, the terror attacks of 911, and other breaking news. She produced special feature reports that took her from The White House, where she covered President Bill Clinton to Japan, where she reported on the educational differences between that country and the United States. She produced many political debates and interviews with cultural icons like Amdrew Lloyd Weber and David Mamet.
At WGBH News, she has developed partnerships with organizations including the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences and national polling companies. She looks for and finds news everywhere and is a total news junkee.
Linda has been married for over thirty years to former news anchor Jim Boyd and they pride themselves on having raised two fine daughters, Alyssa and Olivia, who continue to think they are smarter than their parents.
Gene Valicenti
WJAR-Providence, RI / Anchor
Now in his 25th year at WJAR, “Rhode Island’s Anchorman” Gene Valicenti continues to co-anchor Southern New England’s top-rated newscast, NBC 10 News at 6.
Gene also hosts the region’s top-rated morning radio news and information show, "The News with Gene Valicenti" weekdays on News/Talk 630 WPRO and 99.7 FM
This year readers of Rhode Island Monthly honored Gene with an unprecedented three Best of Rhode Island awards, including Best Male TV Anchor, Best Talk Show Host, and Best Morning Radio Show.
A four-time Emmy winner, including two awards for anchoring, Gene has been a comforting presence on many of the biggest stories, including the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, several papal visits, and multiple gubernatorial and presidential elections.
Gene reported from New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and later that week was one of the first reporters to gain access to the "Ground Zero" perimeter, having been assigned to report for WJAR, WNBC in New York, and other network affiliates.
Gene's live reporting continued from Washington and Guantanamo, Cuba, and in return visits to the World Trade Center site.
In addition to his multiple Emmy wins and nominations, Gene has also received a host of other industry awards and citations, and co-anchored the NBC 10 newscast that won the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence.
Readers of Rhode Island Monthly have voted Gene "Best Male Anchor" for nine years in a row. Before that, they voted him "Best Reporter" for six years in a row.
In 2016, Gene was named grand marshal of the Gaspee Days Parade, a top honor reserved for Rhode Islanders held in high regard by organizers of an annual celebration of America’s first armed blow for independence.
He has received the prestigious Rhode Island Red Cross Humanitarian Award for his outstanding service to the non-profit community and continues to work with a variety of charities on a host of events. He also serves on the Board of Incorporators for Kent County Hospital.
A 30-year veteran of broadcasting, Gene started as a desk assistant for WPIX in New York City while still in college. Stops at stations in New Jersey and Connecticut followed.
A New Jersey native, Gene holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
He lives in Kent County with his wife and three children.
Haig Papasian
Retired, Hartford, CT
Haig Papasian spent 22 years as the vice president of operations at Connecticut Public Television in Hartford, retiring in 2014.
Haig also spent 15 years as a director at WTIC FOX 61 in Hartford.
Haig is a 1974 graduate of Emmerson College in Boston, Massachusetts where he earned a Bachelor's degree in mass communications and media studies.
Congrats to all!
