Award Categories
Categories for the 2008 Vanguard Awards are listed below. Click on an award to view more information and see the list of past recipients.
- The Distinguished Vanguard Awards for Leadership, the most prestigious of NCTA’s national awards, recognizes the best and the brightest in the cable and telecommunications industry leadership.
- The Vanguard Award for Young Leadership was created to recognize those individuals who have emerged early in their careers as innovators and leaders, demonstrating the potential to continue making significant contributions to the cable and telecommunications industries.
- The Vanguard Vanguard Award for Programmers was created to recognize the innovation, leadership and individual achievement of NCTA’s programmer members.
- The Vanguard Award for Associates & Affiliates recognizes the indispensable contributions of our industry’s equipment manufacturers and service suppliers. NCTA affiliate members are equally instrumental in providing invaluable guidance and service as lawyers, brokers, bankers and consultants to the industry.
- The Vanguard Award for Science & Technology was created to honor individuals who have been active and imaginative forces in the design, development and introduction of technologies and engineering techniques that benefit the industry.
- The Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management recognizes a cable manager from the corporate, regional or system level who has made a significant contribution, through his or her company, to the cable industry.
- The Vanguard Award for Government & Community Relations recognizes an individual who has significantly enhanced the status of the cable industry as a community leader, a state advocate or a national contributor.
- The Vanguard Award for Marketing honors an individual who has been instrumental in developing a unique marketing approach that conveys convincingly the attributes and the appeal of services that flow over cable’s broadband networks.
View the Vanguard Awards Rules & Regulations
Questions?
To obtain further information about the 2008 Vanguard Awards, contact NCTA’s Department of Industry Affairs at (202) 222-2430 or e-mail us at
vanguardawards@ncta.com.
Distinguished Vanguard Awards for Leadership
The Distinguished Vanguard Awards, the most prestigious of NCTA’s national awards, recognizes the best and the brightest in the cable and telecommunications industry leadership. The awards were created to honor Larry Boggs, who pioneered the development of the cable industry, and Idell Kaitz, whose representation of the industry produced a significant impact on policy-makers.
Each year, two awards are presented to one man and to one woman whose leadership and foresight have placed the cable industry in the vanguard of American business. The individuals recognized by these awards symbolize the highest level of excellence reached by leaders of our industry.
Nominees for the Distinguished Vanguard Award should meet the following criteria:
- Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities and development of cable television on the national level
- Be employed by a member of the NCTA
Past Recipients
| Man |
|
Woman |
|
| 2008 |
Matthew C. Blank |
2008 |
Anne Sweeney |
| 2007 |
Brian Roberts |
2007 |
Amy C. Tykeson |
| 2006 |
Glen A. Britt |
2006 |
Judy McGrath |
| 2005 |
Decker Anstrom |
2005 |
Abbe Raven |
| 2004 |
Michael Willner |
2004 |
Sheila Mahony |
| 2003 |
Nickolas Davatzes |
2003 |
Debra L. Lee |
| 2002 |
Charles F. Dolan |
2002 |
Christie Hefner |
| 2001 |
Gerald M. Levin |
2001 |
Kim D. Kelly |
| 2000 |
John J. Rigas |
2000 |
Maggie Wilderotter |
| 1999 |
Leo J. Hindery, Jr. |
1999 |
Judith A. McHale |
| 1998 |
Julian A. Brodsky |
1998 |
Ruth Warren |
| 1997 |
Joseph J. Collins |
1997 |
Ann Carlsen |
| 1996 |
James O. Robbins |
1996 |
Char Beales |
| 1995 |
Alan Gerry |
1995 |
Bobbi L. Kamil, Ph.D. |
| 1994 |
Richard D. Roberts |
1994 |
Sharan Wilson |
| 1993 |
Ralph J. Roberts |
1993 |
Ann L. Burr |
| 1992 |
R.E. “Ted” Turner |
1992 |
Pat Thompson |
| 1991 |
Robert Miron |
1991 |
Ruth L. Otte |
| 1990 |
John W. Goddard |
1990 |
Geraldine B. Laybourne |
| 1989 |
Brian P. Lamb |
1989 |
Gayle L. Greer |
| 1988 |
Trygve E. Myhren |
1988 |
Lucille E. Larkin |
| 1987 |
Daniel Aaron |
1987 |
Beverly A. Harms |
| 1986 |
William B. Strange, Jr. |
1986 |
No Award |
| 1985 |
John V. Saeman |
1985 |
Susan C. Greene |
| 1984 |
Douglas H. Dittrick |
1984 |
Sally M. Davison |
| 1983 |
John C. Malone, Ph.D. |
1983 |
Kathryn Hilton Creech |
| 1982 |
Ralph M. Baruch |
1982 |
Carolyn S. Chambers |
| 1981 |
William J. Bresnan |
1981 |
June E. Travis |
| 1980 |
Robert M. Rosencrans |
1980 |
Gail Sermersheim |
| 1979 |
Burt I. Harris |
1979 |
Kay Koplovitz |
| 1978 |
Edward M. Allen |
1978 |
Anna Marie Hutchinson |
| 1977 |
Sam Haddock |
1977 |
No Award |
| 1976 |
Alfred R. Stern |
1976 |
Beverly Land |
| 1975 |
Amos B. Hostetter, Jr. |
1975 |
Beverly Murphy |
| 1974 |
Frank Thompson |
1974 |
Polly Dunn |
| 1973 |
E. Stratford Smith |
1973 |
Yolanda Barco |
| 1972 |
John Gwin |
| 1971 |
Milton J. Shapp |
| 1970 |
Irving B. Kahn |
| 1969 |
Martin Malarkey |
| 1968 |
Fred Stevenson |
| 1967 |
George Barco |
| 1966 |
Benjamin J. Conroy, Jr. |
| 1965 |
Bill Daniels |
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The Vanguard Award for Young Leadership
The energy, vitality and creativity of young people in the cable industry has contributed enormously to its advancement. This award was created to recognize those individuals who have emerged early in their careers as innovators and leaders, demonstrating the potential to continue making significant contributions to the cable and telecommunications industries.
The Vanguard Award for Young Leadership honors the memory of Jerry Greene, who was a founder of Harriscope Cable Corp. and chief financial officer of its successor companies, Warner Cable and Cyprus Communications. Before he was 30, Greene was a vice president and board member of TelePrompter Corporation.
Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Young Leadership should meet the following criteria:
- Be 40 years of age or younger
- Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities
- Make significant contributions to the growth and development of cable television on the national level
- Be employed by a member of the NCTA
Past Recipients
| 2008 |
Bret Perkins |
| 2007 |
Alicin Reidy-Williamson |
| 2006 |
Kathryn Falk |
| 2005 |
Steve Miron |
| 2004 |
Dallas Clement |
| 2003 |
Lynne Elander |
| 2002 |
Edward Carroll & Ellen M. East |
| 2001 |
Sean R.H. Bratches & Tracy Lawrence |
| 2000 |
William F. Goodwyn |
| 1999 |
Megan Stevens-Hookey |
| 1998 |
Lela Cocoros & Eason Jordan |
| 1997 |
Bradley J. Siegel |
| 1996 |
Kate McEnroe |
| 1995 |
Shellie Rosser & Susan Swain |
| 1994 |
Scott Sassa |
| 1993 |
Scott P. Kurnit |
| 1992 |
Tim Robertson |
| 1991 |
Brian L. Roberts |
| 1990 |
Kevin H. Rorke |
| 1989 |
Terence F. McGuirk |
| 1988 |
Timothy P. Neher |
| 1987 |
C. Ronald Dorchester |
| 1986 |
Marc B. Nathanson |
| 1985 |
James S. Cownie |
| 1984 |
John D. Evans |
| 1983 |
James O. Heyworth |
| 1982 |
Kay Koplovitz |
| 1981 |
Frank M. Drendel |
| 1980 |
Brian Lamb |
| 1979 |
Richard W. Loftus |
| 1978 |
David Wicks |
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The Vanguard Award for Programmers
Cable is a renowned in the world of entertainment thanks to the break-through contributions by programmers. These individuals, both by themselves and through their networks, have taken television programming to the critically acclaimed stature it enjoys today and the profound impact it has had on not only in our own industry, but in the arts, our culture, and society at large.
This award was created to recognize the innovation, leadership and individual achievement of NCTA’s programmer members.
Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Programmers should meet the following criteria:
- Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities
- Make significant contributions to the continuing growth and development of cable television programming on the national level
- Be employed by an NCTA Programmer member
Past Recipients
| 2008 |
Kenneth W. Lowe |
| 2007 |
Philip Kent |
| 2006 |
Henry Schleiff |
| 2005 |
George Bodenheimer & Johnathan Rodgers |
| 2004 |
Susan Swain & Rob Kennedy |
| 2003 |
Chris Albrecht |
| 2002 |
Herb Scannell |
| 2001 |
Jeffrey L. Bewkes |
| 2000 |
Betty Cohen |
| 1999 |
Matthew C. Blank |
| 1998 |
Daniel E. Davids> |
| 1997 |
John O. Wynne |
| 1996 |
Steven M. Bornstein |
| 1995 |
Lee Masters |
| 1994 |
Nickolas Davatzes |
| 1993 |
Thomas E. Freston |
| 1992 |
Winston H. Cox |
| 1991 |
John S. Hendricks |
| 1990 |
R. E. “Ted” Turner |
| 1989 |
Dr. Hal Morse |
| 1988 |
Michael J. Fuchs |
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The Vanguard Award for Associates & Affiliates
This Vanguard award recognizes the indispensable contributions of our industry’s equipment manufacturers and service suppliers. Cable continues to delight customers in today’s highly competitive marketplace because of innovative product design and services provided by associate members.
NCTA affiliate members are equally instrumental in providing invaluable guidance and service as lawyers, brokers, bankers and consultants to the industry.
Today, the contributions of both of these segments are even more important as the industry shapes the evolution of new media.
Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Associates and Affiliates should meet the following criteria:
- Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities
- Make significant contributions to the growth and development of cable television on the national level
- Be employed by an NCTA Associate or Affiliate member
Past Recipients
| 2008 |
Michael Pohl |
| 2007 |
Cathy Wilson |
| 2006 |
Paul Glist |
| 2005 |
Leslie Ellis |
| 2004 |
Rouzbeh Yassini |
| 2003 |
John D. Clark, Jr. |
| 2002 |
William G. McGorry |
| 2001 |
Norval D. Reece |
| 2000 |
Paul S. Maxwell |
| 1999 |
James F. McDonald |
| 1998 |
Edward Breen |
| 1997 |
John W. Waller, III |
| 1996 |
William H. Lambert |
| 1995 |
Brian Deevy |
| 1994 |
Richard Perry |
| 1993 |
Gordon E. Halverson |
| 1992 |
Phillip J. Hogue |
| 1991 |
Hal M. Krisbergh |
| 1990 |
John Egan |
| 1989 |
Maggie Wilderotter |
| 1988 |
Abe H. Sonnenschein |
| 1987 |
Robert J. Mathews |
| 1986 |
Robert J. Wussler |
| 1985 |
John H. Levergood |
| 1984 |
Frank M. Drendel |
| 1983 |
Andrew F. Inglis |
| 1982 |
John J. Sie |
| 1981 |
Robert E. “Ted” Turner |
| 1980 |
Sidney Topol |
| 1979 |
Gerald W. Levin |
| 1978 |
Bruce Merrill |
| 1977 |
Richard L. Jackson |
| 1976 |
Ray V. Schneider |
| 1973 |
NCTA Associate Members |
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The Vanguard Award for Science & Technology
The diversity and development of the cable industry depend on its technology. The men and women who pursue and achieve breakthrough engineering accomplishments provide the pathways for our collective progress.
This Vanguard Award was created to honor individuals who have been active and imaginative forces in the design, development and introduction of technologies and engineering techniques that benefit the industry. Their pursuits and accomplishments provide a primary source of cable’s growth and development as the industry forges ahead in the deployment of breakthrough technologies. One award is presented each year.
Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Science and Technology should meet the following criteria:
- Be an individual involved in technical developments and/or system operations
- Make significant contributions to the continuing technical advancement of the industry through manufacturing, design, application and implementation
- Be employed by a member of the NCTA
Past Recipients
| 2008 |
Paul G. Allen |
| 2007 |
Chris Bowick |
| 2006 |
Mike LaJoie |
2005 |
Wilt Hildenbrand |
| 2004 |
Robert Zitter |
| 2003 |
Mark Coblitz |
| 2002 |
David M. Fellows |
| 2001 |
Michael T. Hayashi |
| 2000 |
Tony G. Werner |
| 1999 |
Dr. Richard R. Green |
| 1998 |
William Schleyer |
| 1997 |
Brian James |
| 1996 |
James O. Farmer |
| 1995 |
William W. Riker |
| 1994 |
Vito Brugliera |
| 1993 |
Thomas G. Elliot |
| 1992 |
Nick Hamilton-Piercy |
| 1991 |
Dan Pike |
| 1990 |
Ted E. Hartson |
| 1989 |
David M. Pangrac |
| 1988 |
David J. Large |
| 1987 |
Walter S. Ciciora, Ph.D. |
| 1986 |
Joseph E. Van Loan |
| 1985 |
Abe Sonnenschein |
| 1984 |
Robert A. Luff |
Past Recipients of the Vanguard Award for Development
| 1983 |
Victor F. Tarbutton |
| 1982 |
Robert V.C. Dickinson |
| 1981 |
Sydney Fluck, Jr. |
| 1980 |
Harold Rosen, Ph.D. |
| 1979 |
Michael Jeffers |
| 1978 |
Robert Tenten |
| 1977 |
Alex B. Best |
| 1976 |
Archer S. Taylor |
| 1975 |
Henry Diambra |
| 1974 |
Thomas Straus |
| 1973 |
Kenneth Simons |
Past Recipients of the Vanguard Award for Operations
| 1983 |
James Chiddix |
| 1982 |
James J. Fischer |
| 1981 |
Nicholas E. Worth |
| 1980 |
Kenneth S. Gunter |
| 1979 |
Frank J. Bias |
| 1978 |
Robert Bilodeau |
| 1977 |
James W. Stilwell |
| 1976 |
Richard C. Hickman |
| 1975 |
Israel Switzer |
| 1974 |
Hubert J. Schlafly |
| 1973 |
Donald Levenson |
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The Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management
This Vanguard Award was created to recognize individuals who successfully manage and develop cable operations in today’s competitive marketplace.
The cable industry demands from its managers a unique blend of technological understanding, fiscal responsibility, marketing savvy, public and media relations acumen, and leadership expertise in human resources and personnel management. It’s because of the tireless efforts of cable’s managers, who work under intense competition in today’s dynamic telecommunications environment, that this award conveys such significance.
The Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management recognizes a cable manager from the corporate, regional or system level who has made a significant contribution, through his or her company, to the cable industry.
Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management should meet the following criteria:
- Significantly contribute to the cable industry’s national agenda through the successful management of his/her own company’s accomplishments
- Provide leadership in the development of concepts and practices that lead to the advancement of the cable television industry
- Be employed by an NCTA System Operator member
Past Recipients
| 2008 |
Steven Brookstein |
| 2007 |
John Bickham |
| 2006 |
Eric P. Brown |
| 2005 |
Steve Rizley & Barry Rosenblum |
| 2004 |
Ann Montgomery |
| 2003 |
Gary T. McCollum |
| 2002 |
John N. Rigsby |
| 2001 |
Stephen B. Burke |
| 2000 |
Leo Brennan & James P. Cottingham |
| 1999 |
Mary L. Cotter |
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The Vanguard Award for Government & Community Relations
The Vanguard Award for Government and Community Relations recognizes that cable’s success depends on the ability to promote a positive public image and to advocate public policy positions at the national, state and/or local government levels.
This award reflects the combined legacies of the Vanguard Award for State/Regional Association Leadership* and the Vanguard Award for Public Relations*. The award recognizes an individual who has significantly enhanced the status of the cable industry as a community leader, a state advocate or a national contributor.
Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Government and Community Relations should meet the following criteria:
- Significantly contribute to the cable industry’s national agenda through effectiveness in community and/or government relations at the national, state or local level
- Provide leadership in the development of concepts that to significant advancement in positive public awareness of cable television
- Be employed by a member of the NCTA
Past Recipients
| 2008 |
Carol A. Melton |
| 2007 |
Libby O'Connell |
| 2006 |
Alexander Netchvolodoff |
| 2005 |
David Cohen |
| 2004 |
Jennifer Mooney |
| 2003 |
Richard H. Beahrs |
| 2002 |
Joseph W. Waz, Jr. |
| 2001 |
William K. Geppert |
| 2000 |
Bertram W. Carp |
| 1999 |
Stephen R. Effros |
* Past Recipients of the Vanguard Award for State/Regional Association Leadership
| 1998 |
Dennis H. Mangers |
| 1997 |
Steven E. Wilkerson |
| 1996 |
Carol Caruso (Ohio) |
| 1995 |
W.D. Arnold (Texas) |
| 1994 |
Charles Hembree |
| 1993 |
Emmett White (Illinois) |
| 1992 |
John R. Liskey (Michigan) |
| 1991 |
Dean A. Deyo (Tennessee) |
| 1990 |
Trey Smith (California) |
| 1989 |
Paul W. Freas (New Jersey) |
| 1988 |
Florida Cable Television Association |
| 1987 |
Anthony W. Accamando, Jr. (Pennsylvania) |
| 1986 |
John F. Gault (New York) |
| 1985 |
T. W. “Skip” Meadows (Alabama) |
| 1984 |
George F. Gardner (Pennsylvania) |
| 1983 |
Orlando E. “Brill” Brillante (Florida) |
| 1982 |
Carl W. Gainer (West Virginia) |
| 1981 |
William J. Ryan (Florida) |
| 1980 |
Spencer Kaitz (California) |
| 1979 |
Wayne Lee (Alabama) |
| 1978 |
Frank Scarpa (New Jersey) |
| 1977 |
Thomas Gilchrist (Florida) |
| 1976 |
Robert D. Towe (Montana) |
| 1975 |
Jay Wagner (Ohio) |
| 1974 |
Robert J. Tarlton (Pennsylvania) |
| 1973 |
Joseph Gans (Pennsylvania) |
| 1972 |
William Kenny (New England) |
| 1971 |
Michael B. Arnold (New York) |
| 1970 |
Holland Meacham/ Don Royse (Mid- America) |
| 1969 |
No Award |
| 1968 |
John Mankin, Sr. (Texas) |
| 1967 |
Walter Kaitz (California) |
* Past Recipients of the Vanguard Award for Public Relations
| 1998 |
Beverly Greenberg |
| 1997 |
Chuck Ellis |
| 1996 |
Lynn Yaeger |
| 1995 |
David C. Andersen |
| 1994 |
McAdory Lipscomb, Jr. |
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The Vanguard Award for Marketing
As competition intensifies and technologies grow more complex, successfully communicating values associated with cable products and services is more critical than ever.
This Vanguard Award honors an individual who has been instrumental in developing a unique marketing approach that conveys convincingly the attributes and the appeal of services that flow over cable’s broadband networks. To be considered, the individual may be associated with a national marketing effort, or with marketing approaches that are local in scope but have national applicability.
Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Marketing should meet the following criteria:
- Provide leadership in the development of marketing concepts that lead to significant television and increased subscribership
- Contribute through industry-sponsored events and/or promote by other means marketing concepts that benefit the industry
- Be employed by a member of the NCTA
Past Recipients
| 2008 |
Sam Howe |
| 2007 |
Patricia Gottesman |
| 2006 |
Dave Watson |
| 2005 |
Lori McFarling |
| 2004 |
Joseph Rooney |
| 2003 |
Kevin J. Leddy |
| 2002 |
Len Fogge |
| 2001 |
Pamela Euler Halling |
| 2000 |
Douglas V. Holloway |
| 1999 |
Whitney Goit II |
| 1998 |
Curtis Symonds |
| 1997 |
Joshua Sapan |
| 1996 |
Chris Moseley |
| 1995 |
Char Beales |
| 1994 |
Mark Greenberg |
| 1993 |
Julia W. Sprunt |
| 1992 |
Gordon R. Herring |
| 1991 |
Matthew C. Blank |
| 1990 |
D. Lowell Hussey |
| 1989 |
Ajit M. Dalvi |
| 1988 |
John K. Billock |
| 1987 |
Doug Wenger |
| 1986 |
Charles C. Townsend III |
| 1985 |
Jerry Maglio |
| 1984 |
Winston H. “Tony” Cox |
