Voting

2010 Elections for RTDNA Regional Directors

Candidates for RTDNA Regional Director

Voting members of RTDNA in Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 can vote by logging onto the members only section of RTDNA.org and clicking on Surveys and Voting. Contact staceys@rtdna.org with any questions.

Regions 1 and 3
Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Kathy Walker, News Director
KOA Radio, Denver
Incumbent, running unopposed

Candidate Statement
It is my honor and pleasure to run for re-election to the RTDNA/F Board of Directors. Electronic journalism is at a crossroads of evolution and RTDNA/F is a vital part of that process. With training and advocacy, awards and recognition of our best and brightest, RTDNA and RTDNF will continue to foster excellence, encourage the next generation and fight for our rights as electronic journalists who now see and hear our work on-line, on-air and on-demand. What’s the best part of my service to RTDNA? I enjoy recognizing you for your great work during the Edward R. Murrow Awards. The best phone calls I get to make are when I tell YOU about winning a Murrow!

Regions 4 and 5
Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin

Peggy Phillip, News Director
KSHB-TV, Kansas City
Incumbent, running unopposed

Candidate Statement
The world needs great journalism, now more than ever.� Our goal is to responsibly serve communities with important investigations, comprehensive examination of local issues and vigilant weather coverage. Are you a journalist? Ask yourself these questions:

When was the last time you practiced your craft? When was the last time you were proud of what you produced? When was the last time you aggressively pursued the truth?
We must ask tough questions and hold the powerful accountable.
We must not be afraid of change or of learning new skills.
We must expose wrong-doing and give voice to those who are not heard.

I would like to work with you to figure out the new local news business model while upholding our standards.

Region 6
Oklahoma, Texas

Kevin Benz, News Director
News 8 Austin, Austin, Texas
Incumbent, running unopposed

Candidate Statement
I appreciate your support over the last few years as your regional director of what is now RTDNA. The last year has been a difficult one for the association, and the next year brings more challenges as we work to redefine the association and reinvigorate our convention. Our biggest challenge lies in making the association more relevant to you. I am committed to doing that. Over the last 2 years I have served as the Ethics and FOI Committee chair, served on the strategic planning committee, worked to plan the convention educational sessions, and tried to serve as your voice, the voice of the everyday journalist on the board. I urge you to get involved in our association. The times we work in are too challenging and our mission too important to stay on the sidelines. Thanks again for your support.

Regions 8 and 9
Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia

Randy Bell, News Director
WMSI-FM, WQJQ-FM, WJDX-AM, Jackson, MS

Candidate Statement
Randy joined the RTDNA board in 2005 and has served on the FOI Committee, the Radio Task Force and the Programs Committee. Prior to his election, he served as RTDNA state coordinator for Mississippi.

Randy has worked to bolster RTDNA membership, contacting those whose membership has lapsed or is up for renewal encouraging them to stay with the association. As a one-person news department for the Clear Channel radio group in Jackson, Randy has been honored with more than a dozen national Edward R. Murrow awards.

Region 10
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

Andrew Vrees, News Director
WCVB-TV, Boston

Candidate Statement
Andrew Vrees is the News Director at WCVB-TV /thebostonchannel.com, the Hearst Television station and web site in Boston. During the summer of 2009, the station aired nearly 24 hours of continuous coverage of the death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy followed by three days of extensive local programming. Prior to leading the WCVB-TV news department, Andrew was news director at WMUR-TV in New Hampshire where he oversaw all aspects of the news department including the National Murrow winning nightly newscast, coverage of the NH Primary, Presidential Debates, news specials and the stations nightly magazine program. Andrew held senior news management positions at the Hearst station in Albuquerque, NM and the Disney-ABC station in Toledo, OH. Andrew began his career as an anchor/reporter in Oklahoma and Alaska. He graduated from the University of Southern California with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. Andrew is a native of the NH seacoast, is married with two children. Andrew has served on the RTDNA board of directors since 2008. As our industry changes, he looks forward to helping the organization evolve to meet the needs of its members.