Silver Circle Honorees
2024
Silver Circle Honoree
Nancy Amons
Nancy got the broadcasting bug at about age 12, listening to an AM transistor radio under her pillow until well past curfew. She became a late-night rock DJ at a Worcester, Massachusetts at college radio station at 16, then pursued a broadcast degree first at UMass Amherst then at the University of Southern California. She got hooked on journalism at USC and graduated Magna Cum Laude. After a brief stint as a producer in Tampa, Nancy moved to Savannah, GA and spent eight years learning the ropes of beat reporting and investigative reporting. In 1988, Nancy found her broadcast “home” at WSMV in Nashville, where she spent the next 32 years. She earned a number of Emmy® awards, a national Edward R. Murrow award, a Mothers Against Driving national award, and her proudest accolade, a national award from Investigative Reporters and Editors for an extensive investigation into then General Sessions Judge Casey Moreland. Nancy’s investigative findings were quoted by prosecutors as Moreland was sent to federal prison for corruption.
Nancy’s investigation into the former Rutherford County Sheriff also sent him to prison. The only evidence prosecutors entered at his sentencing hearing was the sheriff’s raw interview with Nancy. He lied, but she had all the documents. Nancy stood up to bullies. Her one-on one interview with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made world headlines, as he stumbled to avoid her persistent questions.
One coworker once compared Nancy’s relentless reporting to a bulldog who would not let go of your pants leg.
While Nancy made a career exposing corruption, she delighted in fighting for ordinary people - restoring lost medical benefits or cutting through government red tape.
After 40 plus years in broadcasting, Nancy retired in 2020 and enjoys dancing, crafting, the outdoors, and time with family.
Silver Circle Honoree
Larry Audas
Larry Audas served as President and General Manager of WFMY, the TEGNA CBS affiliate in Greensboro, NC from 2011 to 2024. TEGNA appointed Audas as President and GM of WZDX, the TEGNA FOX affiliate in Huntsville, Alabama in 2020.
During his tenure at WFMY News 2, he engaged staff to renovate and revive the historic North Carolina station. Along with larger market rivals, WFMY was recognized with multiple Midsouth Emmy® News Excellence and Best Newscast nominations. The North Carolina Association of Broadcasters honored WFMY in 2018 for Best Breaking News and Outstanding Newscast and Community Involvement in 2021.
WFMY won a Community Service Regional Emmy® in 2014, the Gannett Best Client Solution Award in 2013 and was a Gannett Greater Good finalist in 2012. Audas developed non-traditional news content, securing multi-platform/social audiences and clientele. The Emmy®-winning Read 2 Succeed program reached 100,000+ urban elementary students with a compelling literacy message. WFMY News 2 first launched market-wide interactive coverage featuring dozens of Skype-ready Weather Watchers who appear online, on social and TV with severe weather reports. Aviation Triad connected business and civic interests with WFMY’s sales marketing support of the region’s promising aerospace sector.
Audas was President and GM of TEGNA’s (then Gannett) KTHV (CBS) Little Rock from 2002 until his WFMY appointment. Audas was a 2008 Gannett Manager of the Year finalist. KTHV won a National Edward R. Murrow Award for its documentary on the 1957 desegregation of Little Rock Central High. Previously, Audas served as News Director at WLTX (CBS) in Columbia. The station overhauled its entire news operation and was recognized with a Most Outstanding Newscast Emmy®, a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, and as the SC Broadcasters’ TV Station of the Year (2001 & 2002). Prior to WLTX, Audas was weekday anchor for KTHV, which delivered its first AP Best Newscast, first Emmy®-winning Best Newscast and Live Special Event, as well as a first Regional Murrow Best Newscast.
Before employment with Gannett/TEGNA, Audas worked as an anchor/reporter for KPRC (NBC) in Houston. He reported on everything from hurricanes and earthquakes to Texas politics and pro sports. The Texas AP recognized him with a1989 Best Reporter award. His previous anchor/reporter positions were at KFOR (NBC) in Oklahoma City, and KSWO (ABC) in Lawton, Oklahoma. Audas began his career as an announcer with KQCV radio in Oklahoma City after earning a B.A. in Radio/TV Production at Bob Jones University. He participated in the Gannett Management Program, NAB Management Development Seminar at Northwestern University, Center for Creative Leadership, and other TEGNA training programs.
Audas served on the Greensboro Sports Council, Greensboro Chamber Grow Campaign, NC Broadcasters Association and other community endeavors. He and his wife Joanne have two adult children. Kara is a doctor in Charlotte. Maria is a head basketball coach in South Carolina. The family enjoys their grandchildren, sports, competition, and travel, as well as involvement in church and service opportunities.
Silver Circle Honoree
Tuwanda Coleman
Over the course of her 41-year career at NewsChannel5, you might say Tuwanda Coleman has seen and done a little of it all.
A native of Cadiz, Kentucky, Tuwanda says she knew she wanted to work in television the first time she saw Oprah Winfrey anchor the news on Channel5.
Tuwanda graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1981 with a degree in Broadcasting. Two weeks after graduation, she landed her first job at Channel5 as a studio camera operator.
For ten years Tuwanda perfected her skills working behind the camera. In addition to her camera operator duties, she was given the opportunity to co-produce and produce station projects, including the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and the Children Miracle Network Telethon benefiting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The more opportunities Tuwanda was given to produce, the more she dreamed of becoming a producer full-time. Her dream was realized in 1992 when she was asked to join the staff of "Talk of the Town" as an assistant producer. Just a few months later she was promoted to full-time producer with the show, and in 2003 Tuwanda moved from behind the camera to in front of it becoming a field reporter for "Talk of the Town". In addition to her duties with "Talk of the Town", Tuwanda also hosted the public service show, “The Plus Side of Nashville" and the "Talk of the Town" spin-off show "Taste of the Town" for NewsChannel5+.
Tuwanda has received numerous awards and accolades over the course of her career at NewsChannel5, including two Mid-South Regional Emmy® Award nominations; she was named the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals "Television Media Person of the Year", honored as one of Tennessee State University’s Women of Legend and Merit, received the Nashville Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalist’s Media Excellence Award and more.
Tuwanda is actively involved in the Nashville community lending her support to numerous boards and organizations including the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, the National Association of Black Journalists, Oasis Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Advisory Board, Nashville Film Festival, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Tuwanda retired from NewsChannel5 in January 2024. She now spends her time redecorating and organizing her home, gardening, reading and spending quality time with her husband, Charles, stepdaughter Yolanda and her furry-son Ollie.
Silver Circle Honoree
Rick Gall
Rick Gall has been in broadcast news for more than 35 years. After graduating from Marquette and earning a Masters in broadcast journalism from American University, Rick got his first reporter job at WIFR in Rockford, Illinois, where he met his wife Pam. He spent four years reporting at WNEP in Wilkes-Barre, PA, before heading south to North Carolina where he joined WLOS as a reporter. In 1995 Rick joined WRAL as a bureau reporter covering Fayetteville. He later transitioned to roles behind the scenes including assignment editor, assignment manager, managing editor and assistant news director. In 2005, he became news director and has led a team of 150+ employees through every news and weather event impacting NC. During Gall's 19 years as News Director, WRAL News won 25 regional and national awards for overall excellence, and, in May 2023, the Nielsen ratings showed WRAL was the choice of 65% of news viewers in the market.
Along with numerous awards for his leadership as news director at WRAL, Rick has also been responsible for helping oversee the evolution of broadcast news over the past 25 years at one of the most innovative stations in the country. From the evolution to HD video, including live remotes, in studio and eventually news gathering in the field, to the multi-platform nature and 24/7 cycle of news as it has evolved over the past three decades, Rick has led WRAL through it all, often waiting for the technology to catch up with WRAL's transformative plans. He has overseen the shift in live transmission capability, introduction of drone photography, growing movement toward multimedia journalists, and a myriad of other technological developments that have transformed our industry. Through every change, Rick makes thoughtful and measured decisions, always with an eye on the broader implications and the big picture. Whether he's leading dozens of people through days of hurricane coverage, ushering more inclusive language into newscasts, or making difficult choices about coverage of major issues and events, his calm and wisdom shine through. Rick Gall's impact on the broadcast industry in North Carolina and all its changes over the past 30 years can't be overstated.
Just as Capitol Broadcasting Corporation has always been dedicated to serving the community, Rick has personally led the charge on dozens of efforts. From overseeing an initiative that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for hurricane victims in North Carolina, to managing vaccine hotlines during the pandemic, to initiating a mental health program that connected people struggling to licensed professionals, he is adept at seeing a need and finding a way that WRAL can help. Rick also helps the community on his personal time, volunteering for Special Olympics and being a long-time leader in his church.
Silver Circle Honoree
Cameron Kent
Cameron Kent began his career at WXII-TV in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1979 after graduating from Wake Forest University. He started as a general assignment reporter, then moved to Sports Director, and spent the last 23 years of his career as the main News Anchor.
He was nominated for 14 Emmy® Awards for journalism, including Best News Writer three times, and won an Emmy® for his reporting on the Pentagon after 9/11.
As the Crimestoppers reporter for WXII, he won the Crimestoppers top journalism award for the Southeast Region eleven times, and the top award for crime reporting from Crimestoppers International three times.
He’s a recipient of the North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, honoring individuals who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. He was the emcee or keynote speaker at over 3,000 events, helping dozens of worthwhile organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Samaritan Ministries, and the Boy Scouts.
Cameron was also awarded the “Living Legend” award for outstanding service to the youth in our community.
One of the highlights of his career at WXII was his involvement in organizing the Flights of Honor, escorting over 1,300 World War Two veterans up to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War Two memorial on the National Mall.
In 2018, he was inducted into the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Silver Circle Honoree
Steve Johnson
North Alabama news legend, Steve Johnson, retired from the anchor desk on June 14, 2024, after 47 years at News 19, and it is hard to put his illustrious career into words.
No stranger to the area, Steve grew up in the Rocket City attending Huntsville High School and Auburn University, where he met his wife, Sue. After college, he moved to Anniston, taking a job at the small station WHMA, which was owned by the Anniston Star. After a few years, Huntsville came calling, and former WHNT News Director Dan Cooper offered Steve the job of Sports Director in 1977. While Steve initially turned down the position, he knew after the phone call he made a mistake and called Cooper to accept the very next day. Steve’s first day as Action News 19 Sports Director was May 2, 1977, and he served in that position for more than 22 years. During his tenure as Sports Director, Steve was able to cover “Bo Over the Top” and “The Kick” by Van Tiffin in the 1985 Iron Bowl. However, Steve’s favorite memory was trading a piece of gum for an interview with Dale Earnhardt Sr.
In 1999, Steve transitioned from sports to news. As a general assignment reporter, Steve covered stories that impacted the community, which quickly evolved into him becoming the go-to guy for anything Redstone Arsenal and space. He grew an expertise in space and missile defense reporting, setting a standard in the market. Steve took his coverage of three shuttle launches very seriously, but he remembered to have fun along the way. While doing a live shot for WPIX in New York City for one of the launches, Steve earned the nickname, “The Shuttle Stud,” which followed him for years to come.
In 2010, Steve began filling in on the anchor desk, and in 2013 was promoted to the News 19 Morning Co-Anchor, becoming the long-time face of our morning newscasts. Throughout his time at News 19, Steve was known as a mentor and friend to every colleague that passed through the WHNT newsroom. Former co-anchor Lauren Layton says “I trust him as a journalist, and I trust him as a friend. He is one of those people that if you have a question, he meets you where you are and brings you up with him.” Members of the community and officials across North Alabama also knew what an asset News 19 had in Steve Johnson. One former co-anchor, Emileigh Forrester, easily summed up his legacy saying: “The knowledge he has imparted on our newsroom is priceless and there will never be another Steve Johnson.” In retirement, Steve is spending more time with his beloved wife Sue, sons Wes and Chris, daughter-in-law Renae and two grandsons Luke and Logan. Over his 47 years at WHNT, it’s hard to comprehend the scope of the impact Steve has had on the Tennessee Valley community. His passion for journalism was evident every day he stepped into the newsroom, and his legacy will continue to impact News 19 and the Tennessee Valley.
Silver Circle Honoree
Meryll Rose
Meryll Rose was a familiar face and trusted friend to television viewers for 45 years, most notably as the co-host of Nashville’s top-rated midday show, "Talk of the Town."
After graduating from the University of Tennessee’s College of Communications in 1978, Meryll landed her first job as a reporter and weekend anchor at WRCB in Chattanooga. The next year, she returned home to become the co-host of Nashville's first magazine show, "PM Magazine." She also served as the producer of that show, until the opportunity arose to develop a new entertainment show for syndication. Meryll joined Jim Owens Entertainment as the producer of "This Week in Country Music," which became the popular series "Crook & Chase," which she also produced.
Meryll joined WTVF in 1987 as the Executive Producer of "Talk of the Town." She returned to an on-air role in 1993 as the co-anchor of NewsChannel 5’s Weekend Morning Report for three years, before being named as the co-host of TOTT in 1996. Meryll was committed to making “Talk of the Town” a positive, uplifting, bright spot in the day for viewers, a role that brought her great joy until her retirement in 2023.
Retirement has allowed Meryll to pursue other passions like international travel, playing pickleball, and thrifting vintage clothes for her online resale business. She’s enjoying being more involved in church and neighborhood activities, and cheering for her five grandkids at countless baseball, volleyball and soccer games.