2014 WV Broadcasting HoF Inductees

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2014 WV Broadcasting HoF Inductees

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014
WV Broadcasting Hall of Fame announces 2014 inductees

Huntington, WV — Ten broadcasting professionals will join the 175 members of the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame on Nov. 15, 2014, at the Museum of Radio and Technology in Huntington. This year’s group represents all facets of radio, television and broadcast journalism and they have served the viewers and listeners in the region and other areas of the country for decades, said Tom Resler, Hall of Fame committee chairman.

Following are this year’s inductees:
Dick Callaway: Before becoming St. Albans mayor, Dick Callaway had various roles in radio and television. He was owner and operator of radio stations in Madison and Charleston. He has been a news director and reporter for Charleston and Beckley radio stations. Callaway has served as announcer, sales manager, and engineer technician. More recently, he was producer and host in Charleston for several programs on the West Virginia Library Television Network.

Jack Canfield: Canfield’s first time behind a microphone was at WKYR, Keyser, as a teenage disc jockey. Canfield studied journalism at Potomac State College and West Virginia University. While at WVU, he was assistant news director of WCLG Radio, Morgantown. He became news editor and reporter for WCHS-TV, Charleston. Later, he was spokesman and speechwriter for Gov. Hulett C. Smith. He served in similar roles for governors Jay Rockefeller and Bob Wise. He has also worked at WSAZ-TV in Charleston. In 2001, he founded Jack Canfield, LLC, a marketing and advertising firm.

Jack Deakin: Deakin began his broadcast career as a producer/director for WOWK-TV, Huntington, in 1977. He has been with WSAZ in Huntington and Charleston for the past 35 years. He has served as public affairs producer, executive producer of the local edition of PM Magazine, production manager, local sales manager, Charleston station manager, and director of new media, which led to his current position as internet and research manager.

Lloyd Scott Garten: During his radio career, which began in 1949 on WHTN AM, Huntington, Garten was a disc jockey, announcer, and program director. In February, 1955, he joined WSAZ Radio and TV, where he hosted Top Five, Night Watch, and Top Ten Dance Party. Garten later worked at other radio stations in Huntington, Fort Myers, FL, and Charleston as on-air personality and program director. The Huntington native was known for his voice and knowledge of music in a 35-year broadcasting career. His signature sign-off was “I would rather be a little late and still be L.G., than be the late L.G.”

Randy Kerbawy: This year, Kerbawy received the John E. McKinney Excellence in Technology Award from the West Virginia Broadcasters Association. He began his broadcasting career as an overnight announcer on WJLS Radio, Beckley. He then became an engineer at a radio station in Pineville, WSWP-TV, Beckley, and WOAY-TV, Oak Hill. Kerbawy worked for WTNJ Radio, Beckley until he joined West Virginia Radio Corporation at WJLS AM-FM, Beckley in 2013.

Michael Kidd: The long-time general manager and owner of WRON AM-FM in Ronceverte-Lewisburg, along with sister Radio Greenbrier stations WRLB and WSLW. Kidd has held positions in radio as an announcer, sports play-by-play, and sales executive.

Paul Krakowski: Krakowski became the first professor of broadcast journalism at West Virginia University around 1950. He sent students to WAJR Radio, Morgantown, helping prepare local newscasts, and teaching such beginners as Nick Basso, Bos Johnson, and Greg Van Camp how to do radio news. When Basso moved to WSAZ-TV in Huntington to set up the first television newsroom in the state, he hired Krawowksi to teach recent journalism graduates from WVU how to write for radio and TV. Krakowski later returned to teaching broadcast journalism at Duquesne University.

Fritz Leichner: Fritz led WSAZ Television local program productions as producer/director and production manager. For more than 40 years, he oversaw the changing television production technology at WSAZ. Leichner was the leading edge of production for local programs, such as Coffee Time, children’s programming, the long-running Saturday Night Jamboree, live coverage of Marshall University basketball at home and away, the opening day of the West Virginia legislature, and gubernatorial inaugurations.

Lacy Neff: The air personality and program director of WVAQ-FM, Morgantown, started at the station as the nighttime DJ in 1987. He has won two Marconi Awards, presented by the National Association of Broadcasters, for best on-air personality and has led West Virginia Radio Corporation to receive three Marconi Awards. Neff was named best on-air personality by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association every year from 2003 through 2007.

Dan Shoemaker: While a teacher and coach at Huntington East High School, Shoemaker began serving as a color analyst for Marshall University football and basketball games on local TV stations. While doing color commentary, he became interested in the business side of televised sports events. He formed Creative Productions in Huntington and later worked for Creative Sports Marketing in Charlotte. Shoemaker became ESPN vice president of college development in 1994. In the past year, he has retired from full-time duties with ESPN and moved to Charleston, SC.

The ten people — Garten and Krakowski posthumously — will be honored during the induction ceremony, which is a by-invitation-only event at the Museum of Radio and Technology, 1640 Florence, Ave., Huntington, from 5-7 p.m., Nov. 15. A portion of the museum was renovated to house the Hall of Fame with support from the Foundation for the Tri-State Community and the Cabell County Commission. Founded in 1991, the museum features hundreds of radio and TV exhibits and maintains a library of broadcasting history. The museum is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.

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For more information, contact Tom Resler, (304) 389-5585 or email tresler01@gmail.com.
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