Sandy Breland to receive 2025 John F. Hogan Award
Sandy Breland, Gray Media's executive vice president and chief operating officer, will receive the 2025 John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.
Named for the founder and first president of RTDNA, the John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual's contributions to journalism and freedom of the press. Breland will be honored at RTDNA25 in New Orleans.
“Sandy Breland’s career is a testament to the power and impact of local journalism. From her early days in the newsroom to her leadership of one of the largest media companies in the country, she has consistently championed integrity, public service and community connection,” said RTDNA Chair Sheryl Worsley. “Her unwavering dedication to journalism and freedom of the press makes her a deserving recipient of the John F. Hogan Award, and we are proud to honor her at RTDNA25.”
A longtime advocate for local journalism, Breland has dedicated nearly 40 years to the news industry. She currently oversees operations in Gray’s 113 markets across the country. Before becoming COO in 2023, she served as senior managing vice president of local media. She joined the company following its acquisition of Raycom Media, where she was a group vice president after serving as General Manager of various Raycom television stations.
Breland began her career in local newsrooms, where she held several leadership roles and earned some of the industry’s highest honors. While serving as news director at WWL-TV in New Orleans, she led the station’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina, which earned a Peabody Award and national Edward R. Murrow Award. As a regional vice president, she was recognized with a Suncoast Emmy for organizing the nationally broadcast “Louisiana Rising” benefit concert in response to widespread flooding.
A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans with a degree in journalism, Breland serves on the board of the Carole Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism. She is a past recipient of the RTDNA Foundation’s First Amendment Award and the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Award for public service. She has also held leadership roles on the Fox Affiliate Board of Governors and the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters.