NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES

San Francisco / Northern California Chapter

Governors' Award​

Governors’ Award

The Governors’ Award is the highest honor that may be bestowed by a local chapter.

The award recognizes achievements by individuals, organizations, or companies that do not fall within the structure of the Chapter’s regular Area Awards.

Historically, the Governors’ Award has been reserved for truly outstanding and unique accomplishments or for achievements of significant duration and lasting impact. Recipients of this award receive an Emmy® Statuette. The Board of Governors may choose to present one award, multiple awards, or no award in any given year.

The award may be presented to an individual, company, or organization for outstanding achievement in the arts, sciences, or management of television. Such achievement may be cumulative in nature or so extraordinary and universally significant as to transcend the scope of accomplishments recognized through the Chapter’s regular award categories.

Members of the Board of Governors may nominate individuals, companies, or organizations they believe merit this highest honor of the Chapter. Nominations must be submitted in writing and received in sufficient time to be considered at a Board of Governors meeting held at least one month prior to the presentation of the award. A favorable vote of five-sixths (5/6) of the ballots cast is required for the award to be presented.

Governors’ Award Recipients

Tom Vacar

2024
Reporter
KTVU FOX 2
watch

Pamela Young

2024
Journalist, Producer/Host
KHON 2

Gary Gerould

2022
Sportscaster
Sacramento Kings

Wayne Freedman

2021
Reporter
KGO ABC 7
watch

Elliott Troshinsky

2020
President/General Manager
KCRA 3 / KQCA My58 watch

San Francisco State University

2019
Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA)

Victor Lee

2018
Reporter
KGO ABC 7
former KRON 4

Joyce Mitchell

2017
Executive Producer
4U Productions

Stan Atkinson

2016
Former Anchor/Reporter Host

Dr. Herbert Zettl

2016
Professor Emeritus
San Francisco State University

David Louie

2015
Reporter
KGO ABC 7

Rita Williams

2014
Reporter
KTVU Channel 2

Don Sanchez

2013
Anchor/Reporter
KGO ABC 7

Fred LaCosse

2012
Anchor/Host/
Reporter/Producer
LaCosse Productions

Linda Giannecchini

2011
Director/Administration
KQED 9
Franklin Mieuli Associates

Wendy Tokuda

2010
Anchor/Reporter
KPIX 5/KRON 4

Cheryl Jennings

2009
Anchor/Reporter
KGO ABC 7

Barbara Rodgers

2004
Anchor/Reporter
KPIX 5

Rico Chacon

2003
Reporter/South Bay Bureau Chief
KGO ABC 7

Luis Echegoyen

2001
Anchor/Reporter
KDTV Univision 14

Terry Lowry

2000
Anchor/Host
KGO 7, KRON 4, KTVU 2, KICU 36, La Cosse Productions

Fred Zehnder

2000
News Director
KTVU Channel 2

Dave McElhatton

1999
Anchor
KPIX 5

Nancy Besst

1998
Romper Room’s
“Miss Nancy”
Founding member of our NATAS Chapter

Belva Davis

1996
Anchor/Reporter
KQED 9, KRON 4, KPIX 5

Bill Moore

1996
Photographer
KTVU Channel 2

Shirley Temple Black

1992
Actress/Singer

Russ Coughlan

1991
General Manager/
Anchor/Columnist
KGO ABC 7

Lee Mendelson

1990
Producer

Charles Schulz

1990
Creator/Cartoonist
Peanuts TV specials

Dr. Ray Dolby

1989
Dolby Sound
Ampex video tape recorder

Terrence O'Flaherty

1988
Television Columnist
San Francisco Chronicle

Richard R. Rector

1988
Power/Rector Productions

Charles P. Ginsburg

1986
Father of videotape recording
Ampex

Jack Armstrong

1981
TV Guide
NATAS administrator

Don Harris

1979
NBC News correspondent

Robert Brown

1979
NBC News cameraman

Philo T. Farnsworth

1978
Father of Television

The Broadcast Industry Community Service Project

1977

Dr. Benjamin Draper

1975
San Francisco State University
former Producer of Science in Action
KRON 4

Louis S. Simon

1975
former Vice President/General Manager
KPIX 5

Ames Research Center

1974
Jupiter Remote Telecast

Jonathan Rice

1973
Director of Programming
KQED 9

Harold P. See

1972
President
Chronicle Broadcasting Company
KRON 4