On Tuesday, March 14, 2017 the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame announced the 2017 slate of inductees. This year six broadcasters will be inducted along with four broadcasting “Pioneers” and a Community Service Award honoree.
The following is the list of the honorees:
Christopher Geisen – A popular co-host of the #1 rated “Kerrigan & Christopher Morning Show” on WTUE ratio from (1988 to 1999). First introduced to broadcasting in 1973 in Erlanger, Kentucky, he has continues working in radio, as well as devoting volunteer time to charity events including: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, breast cancer awareness, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and animal well-being shelters.
Joe Smith – Smith is the long-time host of “Clubhouse 22” on WKEF-TV from 1970-1979 and Vice President of Production from 1980 to 1986. An award winning
journalist and a consummate professional whose career has spanned five decades, Joe is presently working on-air in Portland, Oregon.
John King – With 30 years of radio broadcasting experience, King served as Regional President, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Operational Manager, Program Director and on Air Talent at various Stations in Dayton and around the country. King and Terry Dorsey hosted the popular “King & Dorsey Show” on WING radio in the 1980’s. Presently, he is the Senior Vice President/Market Manager at Alpha Media USA in Dayton, Ohio.
Natasha Williams – Presently, Anchor/Reporter at WKEF Television, Natasha has a long history in the broadcasting industry dating back to 1990 in Jackson, TN,
where she began her career. Along with her extensive career in broadcasting, her commitment to the community is equally as dedicated. Williams enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists, as well as volunteering countless hours annually to lend her voice to local not-for-profit organizations. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Eta Omega chapter.
Jeff Stevens – Jeff currently serves as Senior VP of Programming for iHeartMedia/Dayton, Program Director at WMMX and Morning show co-host of the “Jeff, Gina and Dave Show.” He is also the host of the Time Warp Café weekdays at Noon and host of the 80’s Show, which is broadcast on over 40 iHeartRadio stations across the country. Jeff is also the UD Arena voice of the University of Dayton Flyers since 2000.
James (Jim) Otte – Jim is the reporter/producer of the WHIO I-Team at WHIO-TV and the host of “WHIO Reports,” a weekly public affairs program. His tenure with the station dates back to 1988. He began his broadcasting career on Ohio Public Radio in 1982. Jim is known for his investigative work covering the Ohio Statehouse, government and politics. At WHIO-TV, he began the “Wastebusters” segment covering government waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayers’ dollars in Dayton.
PIONEERS
Dick Bieser – Dick began his broadcasting career in 1952, in his hometown of Centralia, IL. He rose to the position of News Director and managed the small-town station for nearly two years before getting back into news. He joined the WHIO-TV News Department as daytime assignment editor before he became News Director. He worked as a contributing reporter on-air and anchored the newscasts Saturday evenings. Dick worked at WHIO-TV from 1965 to 1993.
Ed Hamlyn – Hamlyn was the former News Director at WDTN Television. He was born in Hamilton, OH in 1917. After serving our country during WWII, Ed began his broadcasting career with stops in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Texas, before landing in Dayton. He knew the importance of giving back to community and served on numerous boards and community committees including: the Montgomery County Historical Society, Aviation Trail board and The League of Woman Voters.
Joe Rockhold – Rockhold hosted one of the first live entertainment television shows in the Dayton area on WHIO-TV. He created the popular character “Uncle Orrie,” entertaining thousands of Miami Valley young people, making him a beloved figure with children and their parents. In addition to his work as “Uncle Orrie,” Joe Rockhold hosted various public affairs programs on WHIO.
Jack Jacobson – A man of many characters, and a regular on the “Uncle Orrie Show,” Jacobson created many popular characters, including “Nosey the Clown.” Both Jacobson and Joe Rockhold made television history at a time in the early 1950’s when television was just coming of age.
Bi-annually, the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame selects a person(s) who has been a friend of the media, as well as, a dedicated and innovative leader in the community. This year’s Community Service award will be given to Judge Alice O. McCollum. Judge McCollum is the first woman to serve on the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division, having been first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2008. Prior to sitting on the bench in the Probate Division, she was the first and only woman elected to the Dayton Municipal Court bench. Judge McCollum served the Dayton Municipal Court for 24 years. Judge McCollum has served on many community boards including; Sinclair Community College Legal Assisting Advisory Board; Dayton Children’s Hopsital, the Victoria Theatre Association and the United Theological Seminary. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Tau Lambda Omega Chapter.
These ten inductees will be honored at ceremony at the Marriott at the University of Dayton on Thursday, September 21, 2017. Additional information on tickets sales will be announced shortly.
