NATAS Holds 22nd Annual 'Gold & Silver Circle' Induction Luncheon Honoring Television Veterans Saturday, October 4, 2008 - 11am Hilton Hotel San Francisco Financial District

NATAS Holds 22nd Annual 'Gold & Silver Circle' Induction Luncheon Honoring Television Veterans Saturday, October 4, 2008 - 11am Hilton Hotel San Francisco Financial District

Luis Echegoyen and Jack Hanson honored for half-century of work

Craig Franklin, John Iander, John Kessler, Jim Stimson, Jan Wahl recognized for 25 years service

Dennis Richmond emcees

http://www.emmysf.tv

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In a time when media is morphing into realms unimaginable even five years ago, professionalism and journalistic integrity is ever more important. On Saturday, October 4 in San Francisco, those timeless traits will be honored when seven TV veterans representing more than 225 years of experience are honored by NATAS (The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) San Francisco / Northern California Chapter (http://www.emmysf.tv/) for significant contributions to the local television industry.

On that day, iconic journalists Luis Echegoyen (KDTV Univsion 14) and Jack Hanson (Comcast Newsmakers) will be inducted into the NATAS Gold Circle -- honoring individuals who have served 50 or more years (at least half of those years in the San Francisco/Northern California Area). Also honored this year will be new Silver Circle members -- honoring those with 25 or more years in the business -- Craig Franklin (KPIX CBS-5), John Iander, (KOVR CBS-13), John Kessler (KPIX CBS-5) Jim Stimson (KCRA- NBC 3) and Jan Wahl (KRON-4). Emcee for the event is legendary Bay Area anchorman Dennis Richmond, recently retired from KTVU FOX-2. The Induction Luncheon will be held at the Hilton Hotel -- San Francisco Financial District (750 Kearny Street, between Washington & Clay), on Saturday, October 4 beginning with a no host reception at 11am and followed by the awards luncheon, complete with video tributes. Proceeds will go to the NATAS Scholarship Fund which helps identify the next generation of TV journalists. Tickets are $65 per person for NATAS Members & Guests -- $70 after September 26. Non-members tickets are $70 per person -- $75 after September 26.

"This is our Olympics and both Luis and Jack have gone for and nabbed the gold," said Lynn Friedman, President of the local NATAS Board. "During a time when our industry continues to adapt to a changing technological media landscape, we honor these two men who went out got, produced and delivered news the old fashioned way -- they reported it."

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) is the premier and most recognized non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of excellence in television. The Academy awards the EMMY(R), the most prestigious, peer-judged honor in television for outstanding creative achievement. Its International Council gives EMMYs(R) for foreign television.

NATAS (The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) was formed in 1957. The Academy now serves all the television markets in the United States through its 20 chapters. The San Francisco/Northern California Chapter joined October 6, 1961. Now one of the largest chapters, it represents California markets from Visalia to the Oregon border, Hawaii, and Reno, Nevada.

Media Contacts:
David Perry & Associates, Inc. / David Perry (415) 693-0583/
news@davidperry.com
NATAS / Darryl Compton: (650) 341-7786 / emmysf@comcast.net

Source: National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

CONTACT: David Perry of David Perry & Associates, Inc. +1-415-693-0583,
news@davidperry.com, for NATAS; or Darryl Compton of NATAS, +1-650-341-7786,
emmysf@comcast.net

Web site: http://www.emmysf.tv/

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