The Steering Committee of the Binghamton Broadcasters Reunion is pleased to announce that the award winner for for 2011 Broadcaster of the Year is
Steve Craig.
Steve has been in broadcasting forever, starting in radio at WENE, and then on to a long career in television. Like many of our award winners, Steve is a good guy, well respected and well liked by people in and out of broadcasting.
During college, Steve worked part-time at radio stations WENE and WMRV in Endicott.
In July of 1976, he took a full-time position as a reporter and anchor at WBNG TV in Binghamton.
During college, Steve worked part-time at radio stations WENE and WMRV in Endicott.
In July of 1976, he took a full-time position as a reporter and anchor at WBNG TV in Binghamton.
In May of 1979, Steve’s career took him to northeastern Pennsylvania, as weekend anchor and reporter for WNEP TV in Scranton/Wilke-Barre.
In 1980, he was named Executive News Producer of the station.
Two years later, Steve joined WEWS, the ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio. During his seven years on staff there, he served as producer, reporter, and anchor.
In 1989, Scripps-Howard, owner of WEWS, offered Steve an opportunity to transfer to its station in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he served as chief legal correspondent.
Steve thereafter became the lead news anchor at WICZ, where he remained until 1998.
Then, the new owners of NewsChannel 34 recruited him to help lead an expanded news team.
That effort continued until June of 2009.
After a short vacation, Steve returned to WICZ, anchoring the 6pm newscast.
As of August 1 2011, Steve decided to venture out, and has accepted a new position as the President and CEO of Commerce Chenango, based in his family's home town of Norwich, New York.
In 1980, he was named Executive News Producer of the station.
Two years later, Steve joined WEWS, the ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio. During his seven years on staff there, he served as producer, reporter, and anchor.
In 1989, Scripps-Howard, owner of WEWS, offered Steve an opportunity to transfer to its station in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he served as chief legal correspondent.
Steve thereafter became the lead news anchor at WICZ, where he remained until 1998.
Then, the new owners of NewsChannel 34 recruited him to help lead an expanded news team.
That effort continued until June of 2009.
After a short vacation, Steve returned to WICZ, anchoring the 6pm newscast.
As of August 1 2011, Steve decided to venture out, and has accepted a new position as the President and CEO of Commerce Chenango, based in his family's home town of Norwich, New York.
Steve and his wife Donna, and two sons, live in Norwich.
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The 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award was given to to Mary Lou Dimmick.
Mary Lou started her professional career as a Junior High and High School Teacher.
spent seven years in the classroom before getting involved as an Account Executive for WINR in 1978.
In 1981 her role at WINR changed to Sales Manager, and later to General Manager.
in 1987 Mary Lou moved over to Beacon Broadcasting's WENE and WMRV as General Manager, then on to WAAL/WKOP as Sales Manager. She later joined Mix1033 (who also acquired WMRV and WENE) and then Clear Channel Binghamton.
Mary Lou has served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome, along with other community organizations and endeavors.
She has been the recipient of the Clear Channel Radio Presidents Club award in 2002, 2003, 2004, and the Day of Caring Volunteer award in 2010.
Mary Lou has been quietly serving the community and local radio stations in a variety of ways for a number of years. She is a survivor, and respected professional.
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In 2009, the Steering Committe created a one-time award, the Dean Of Broadcasting Award.
This is a special accomplishment recognition which was retired after the 2009 Reunion.
We are happy to announce that Bill Parker, wasawarded the Dean of Broadcasting Award at the 2009 Reunion.The Committee has created a special once-only Dean of Broadcasting Award. The award will be presented this year at the Reunion to broadcast veteran Bill Parker.
Bill is and has been a long time radio and TV broadcaster in Binghamton, and he continues to be active today as a spokesman for various businesses, and as an adviser to the Binghamton Broadcaster Hall of Fame at the Bundy Museum.
Bill always has a great story about his TV and Radio Career, and continues to take a huge interest in the state of today's broadcast industry.
Bill is and has been a long time radio and TV broadcaster in Binghamton, and he continues to be active today as a spokesman for various businesses, and as an adviser to the Binghamton Broadcaster Hall of Fame at the Bundy Museum.
Bill always has a great story about his TV and Radio Career, and continues to take a huge interest in the state of today's broadcast industry.
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The 2009 Winner of the Living Legend Award, is Bill Flynn.
The Criteria of the Living Legend Award is someone who is still active in Broadcasting, preferably in the Binghamton Market, and who is involved not only with broadcasting, but with the community in general.
Bill Flynn has been in the market since the early seventies, following radio and on-camera positions in the Scranton/ Wilkes Barre TV Market.
Bill started in Binghamton Radio as a newsman on WENE, and then built and developed a following as not only a radio account executive, but also as the host of weekly Polka Show which has been on the air non-stop since the mid-70's. Bill also does 75 or more remotes and live appearances throughout the year in the Binghamton area.
The Criteria of the Living Legend Award is someone who is still active in Broadcasting, preferably in the Binghamton Market, and who is involved not only with broadcasting, but with the community in general.
Bill Flynn has been in the market since the early seventies, following radio and on-camera positions in the Scranton/ Wilkes Barre TV Market.
Bill started in Binghamton Radio as a newsman on WENE, and then built and developed a following as not only a radio account executive, but also as the host of weekly Polka Show which has been on the air non-stop since the mid-70's. Bill also does 75 or more remotes and live appearances throughout the year in the Binghamton area.
His radio show is syndicated throughout New York and Pennsylvania, and Bill is a TV co-host on the Pennsylvania Polka TV Show which originates on WVIA TV in Scranton.
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The criteria for Broadcaster of the Year is someone who is still involved on a daily basis in Binghamton Broadcasting, someone who has been in Broadcasting for many years in the Binghamton area, and someone who is heavily involved in the community.
In 2009, the Broadcaster of the Year Award went to Glenn Pitcher, of WHWK. Glenn hails originally from Warren Center Pennsylvania, and has been in broadcasting over 25 years. Glenn spent four years working for Frank Penny and company at what is now WLTB, from 1988 to 1992.
In 1996, Glenn joined the full time staff of WHWK, and has part of the morning team there since 2000. His slots at the Hawk have consistently been rated #1.
In the community, Glenn has spent 10 consecutive Thanksgiving holiday weekends camping out on the roof of the Oakdale Mall to raise money for the Volunteers of America Homeless Shelter.
He has also participated in many radio-thons for St. Judes Hospital, and is currently active in the PARP Program, visiting and reading to young people in grammar schools in the Read to Kids Program.
And in addition, Glenn has spent 15 years as a youth basketball official at schools and games throughout the area.
In 2009, the Broadcaster of the Year Award went to Glenn Pitcher, of WHWK. Glenn hails originally from Warren Center Pennsylvania, and has been in broadcasting over 25 years. Glenn spent four years working for Frank Penny and company at what is now WLTB, from 1988 to 1992.
In 1996, Glenn joined the full time staff of WHWK, and has part of the morning team there since 2000. His slots at the Hawk have consistently been rated #1.
In the community, Glenn has spent 10 consecutive Thanksgiving holiday weekends camping out on the roof of the Oakdale Mall to raise money for the Volunteers of America Homeless Shelter.
He has also participated in many radio-thons for St. Judes Hospital, and is currently active in the PARP Program, visiting and reading to young people in grammar schools in the Read to Kids Program.
And in addition, Glenn has spent 15 years as a youth basketball official at schools and games throughout the area.
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The Recipient of the Special Achievement Award in 2009 was Bob Joseph, of WNBF and Citadel Radio.
Bob was chosen unanimously by the committee to acknowledge his outstanding and consistent efforts in news gathering and reporting in the Binghamton area.
Additionally, while covering the Civic Association shootings in April, Bob became the primary source of frequent and factual information regarding the tragedy, both on the local and national level.
Bob was honored at the Binghamton Broadcasters Reunion Get-together, on Saturday September 26th at the Binghamton Regency.
Bob was chosen unanimously by the committee to acknowledge his outstanding and consistent efforts in news gathering and reporting in the Binghamton area.
Additionally, while covering the Civic Association shootings in April, Bob became the primary source of frequent and factual information regarding the tragedy, both on the local and national level.
Bob was honored at the Binghamton Broadcasters Reunion Get-together, on Saturday September 26th at the Binghamton Regency.
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The Steering Committee, along with nominations from numerous broadcasters,was proud to honor the late Ron Shoemaker at the 2009 Reunion.
Ron was a Broadcast Engineer with Channel 12 for 42 years. After his retirement from Channel 12, Ron joined the engineering staff at Channel 40.
As his friends, associates and co-workers will attest to, Ron enjoyed his career, friends, and family. In addition to his broadcast duties, Ron was the resident engineer at the Broome County Arena, and he enjoyed playing music with many community bands.
Ron was a Broadcast Engineer with Channel 12 for 42 years. After his retirement from Channel 12, Ron joined the engineering staff at Channel 40.
As his friends, associates and co-workers will attest to, Ron enjoyed his career, friends, and family. In addition to his broadcast duties, Ron was the resident engineer at the Broome County Arena, and he enjoyed playing music with many community bands.
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2007 Award Winners
Broadcaster of the Year: Roger Neel WNBF
Living Legend: Gino Riccardelli WICZ TV
Special Achievement Award: Greg Catlin and Candace Chapman
Outstanding Broadcaster: Rita French WENE
2005 Award Winners
Broadcaster of the Year: Louie G Star 105
Living Legend: Bernard Fionte Channel 12 and 34, WKOP and WNBF Radio
Special Achievement Award: John Carter and Chris O'Connor WMXW, WLTB
Memorial Award: Ray Dee Diorio WENE, WHWK, WMXW
2011 Reunion Winners
