UPPER MIDWEST EMMY®
HONORS SHOW
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 7PM
How to Watch
The televised 2025 Gold & Silver Circle Honors Show will air at 7pm, October 18th on the Upper Midwest Emmy® YouTube channel, The Emmys® app, and watch.TheEmmys.tv website.
The Emmys® App, is a dedicated platform powered by Vimeo.
All programming is available at watch.TheEmmys.tv and via The Emmys® apps for iOS, tvOS, Android, FireTV, Roku and more.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences-Upper Midwest Chapter recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to television well above and beyond that required by their job. That contribution can be in service to the industry, to NATAS, to the community, or to people training for a career in the field.
The Gold & Silver Circle is not an award; it’s a society of honor. It is recognition of eligible individuals who have made a significant contribution to television well above and beyond that required by their job. That contribution can be in service to the industry, to NATAS, to the community, or to people training for a career in the field. Nominees answer to the highest standards of integrity and honor in all aspects of their personal and professional lives.
Nominations are accepted from the performing, creative, technical or administrative roles within the industry or in peripheral areas directly related to television such as commercial production, journalism or education. Neither nominators nor nominees need to be members of NATAS.
The Gold & Silver Award Committee reviews all nominees past and present to make a recommendation to the NATAS-Upper Midwest Board of Governors. This year, our Board of Governor’s voted and approved the following honorees.
The Gold Circle Honor
recognizes people with
50+ years in the industry
The Silver Circle Honor
recognizes people with
25+ years in the industry
2025 GOLD CIRCLE HONOREES
50 YEARS
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
New York, NY
Terry O'Reilly
Terry O’Reilly’s illustrious career in broadcasting and media leadership is marked by innovation, excellence, and a commitment to storytelling. As Chair of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), he has played a pivotal role in recognizing and nurturing talent within the television industry. His tenure has been characterized by efforts to adapt the Academy to the evolving media landscape, ensuring that the Emmy® Awards continue to represent the pinnacle of excellence in television.
O’Reilly’s earlier career includes significant contributions to various media organizations. At Twin Cities PBS, he oversaw content strategy and production, leading to national recognition and awards. His work at The Weather Channel and Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. demonstrated his ability to innovate and lead in diverse and rapidly-evolving media environments.
His achievements have been acknowledged through numerous awards, including a National Daytime Emmy® Award for the groundbreaking series “SciGirls” and multiple Regional Emmy® Awards. Programs and films developed by Mr. O’Reilly and his teams have been enjoyed by tens of millions of viewers across America.
In his role as President and CEO of Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, O’Reilly has transformed the organization into a leading source of news and information. Under his guidance, 90.5 WESA and 91.3 WYEP have expanded their reach and impact, reflecting his dedication to journalism, public service and community engagement.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, O’Reilly has contributed to the broader media community through his involvement with organizations like the Royal Television Society, BAFTA, the TV Academy and IATAS. His leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on the industry, making him a deserving recipient of the Gold Circle Award
Carlini Entertainment
Woodbury, MN
Cortney Kintzer
Former KCCI Director of Photography Cortney Kintzer started his career as a TV news photojournalist as a 15-year-old with an 8mm home movie camera.
Cortney became interested in becoming a news cameraman and started going to local news events and filming them. As a junior in high school, he was hired to work in the film lab of WHO-TV Des Moines in 1975. Soon he was shooting 16mm color film for the station's newscasts. He studied Broadcast Journalism at Iowa State University while still working at WHO.
Upon graduation he worked for a year at WMAQ-TV, NBC Chicago as a vacation relief soundman and cameraman. By then the industry had switched to 3/4-inch videotape. In 1981 he returned to WHO-TV and was named Chief Photographer.
In 1987 he crossed the street and became a photographer at KCCI-TV in Des Moines and was eventually named Director of Photography. He calls the profession the "ultimate backstage pass to life" and has said every day in the field is a new adventure. Some of his career highlights have been covering the red carpet of the Grammy Awards, four one-on-one interviews with Presidents Clinton and Obama in The White House. He has helped to lead KCCI to win 8 Small Market National Press Photography Station of the Year awards.
His favorite photo essays have been centered around nature and capturing every day neighborhood events. These small moments have echoed in his memory as small nuggets of life captured on video. But his biggest achievement has been mentoring photographers along the way in their career. "A teacher is only a success when the student surpasses the teacher." He is humbled and proud of his 50-year career and is honored to be inducted into the EMMY® Gold Circle society.
2025 SILVER CIRCLE HONOREES
25+ YEARS
Twin Cities PBS
St. Paul, MN
Mary Lahammer
Mary Lahammer has been a program host and political reporter for TPT- Twin Cities PBS since 1998. She has won more than a dozen regional Emmys and numerous other awards in several states for her anchoring, reporting, producing and photography. Lahammer was named one of the "Best Capitol Reporters in America" by the Washington Post, "Best TV Reporter" by Minnesota Monthly and "Best Newscaster" by City Pages Magazine. Mary's trademark has been getting politicians to open up and trust her. She has produced a variety of documentaries and programs on topics such as global trade missions, politics, Minnesota history and farm to table cooking.
Prior to returning to TPT, where she interned during college, she was an anchor/reporter for an ABC station in Wisconsin and NBC in North Dakota. Mary is a native Minnesotan who began attending the University of Minnesota's Honors College at age 15, where she went on to graduate with Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors. She holds degrees in Journalism and Mass Communications and Constitutional Law History from the U of M. She served as President of the Alumni Board at the U's Journalism School and Vice President of Midwest Emmy Awards Board of Governors.
You might say Mary has been in training for her job since birth. She learned the business under the wing of her father, an Associated Press Capitol reporter for more than three decades. Her State Capitol office is just around the corner from her father's former stomping grounds.
Stacey Nogy
Alicia Garcia’s journey to Rapid City, South Dakota was as unexpected as it was transformative. It certainly wasn't where anyone who grew up with her thought she would spend her professional career. Alicia grew up as the stereotypical 'valley girl' in Southern California. In fact, she still has flashbacks of learning to drive on Los Angeles freeways. After college, she next graduated with a law degree from Stanford University and went to work with CBS Television in L.A.
It took a few earthquakes, riots and fires before she realized she wanted to make a life and raise a family somewhere else. Back in the day, a.k.a pre-internet, the best way to research a location was to go there, so Alicia decided she would tour America in search of the ‘perfect’ place to live. To her family and friends' amazement, Alicia packed up her things, put them in storage and drove around the country. She found the beautiful Black Hills.
Fast forward more than 25 years, Alicia’s name is synonymous with KOTA Territory News both as a reporter/anchor and as a community advocate. She is one of South Dakota’s most experienced journalists and the longest running female anchor in the state. She’s reported from across the region to the other side of the state and around the world. In 2019, Alicia traveled to India to tell the story of a Rapid City dentist who was building an orphanage and providing free dental care to widows and orphans.
Garcia has interviewed lawmakers at all levels. During the Covid pandemic, she conducted 30-minute interviews with Senator John Thune and Representative Dusty Johnson. Alicia also moderated political debates including congressional and gubernatorial ones. One prominent politician was so concerned about Alicia’s debate preparation, that they tried to have her removed as moderator. In a win for local journalism, the management for KOTA Territory News supported Alicia 100% and the politician's team backed down.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Alicia is deeply committed to her community. Alicia serves as the Director of the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive which raises food and money to help feed the hungry in the area. The events that she helps organize bring in tens of thousands of dollars. For her dedication to this cause, Alicia was nominated for an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy.®
Alicia is the proud recipient of the Tom Brokaw Award for excellence in journalism, an award given to only one South Dakota journalist each year. The Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association also awarded Alicia with a 1st Place Eric Sevareid award for her reporting on the survivors of the 1972 Rapid City Flood.
Alicia's passion for journalism extends beyond her own career. She established a memorial scholarship in the name of her dear friend, former Sports Director and Upper Midwest Regional Emmy winner Jamie Zepp. This scholarship awards thousands of dollars every year to local students planning to pursue a career in journalism.
WEAU
Eau Claire, WI
Judy Clark
Judy Clark has been a defining voice in the Eau Claire community for more than 35 years. A native of the Chippewa Valley and a proud graduate of UW-Eau Claire, she transitioned from radio to television in 1990, joining the WEAU-TV news team. With her remarkable poise and integrity, she quickly rose to the role of news anchor, earning the deep respect of her colleagues and the unwavering trust of viewers across western Wisconsin.
Known for her compassionate and ethical approach to journalism, Judy has been a dedicated mentor and has spent decades guiding and inspiring young journalists, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and a genuine connection to the community. Her dedication to fostering the next generation of broadcasters is a hallmark of her career and a testament to her commitment to the future of the industry.
Judy's contributions extend far beyond the newsroom. She has used her platform to champion local causes, interviewing thousands of people to raise awareness for non-profits and community events. Her long-standing feature segments have been instrumental in securing support for organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, United Cerebral Palsy, and the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre, showcasing her passion for uplifting her community.
Judy Clark has built a lasting legacy of service. Her decades of work have established her as more than just an anchor; she is a trusted community leader and a cornerstone of western Wisconsin television.
Town Square TV
Inver Grove Heights, MN
Joe Conlon
Joe Conlon has been actively engaged as a volunteer, public access producer, board member, and an employee at Town Square Television (TST) in Inver Grove Heights, MN, since he was a student at South St. Paul High School in 1988. Joe joined the TST nonprofit Board of Directors in 1990 and served for five years, then served on the Norther Dakota County Cable Communications Commission for 3 years, before being hired as a TST staff member in December 1997.
In his current role as Engineering Manager, Joe manages the audio/visual engineering needs of the TST facility, production truck and four city council chambers. He helps oversee public access services and spearheads productions of multi-camera live events with the TST production truck.
Growing up in South St. Paul, MN, Joe was always curious how technology worked and started taking apart disused electronics at about six years old. Unfortunately for his parents, he didn’t start putting things back together until he was about thirteen years old. As a South St. Paul High School student, he had the opportunity to take four years of electronics as an elective from instructor Jim Bristol. Those classes led Joe to recording South St. Paul High School Sports and working for the Audio-Visual department.
Joe attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN as a seminarian at St. John Vianney Seminary. As a St. Thomas student he studied Communications (telecommunications emphasis) and Philosophy for three years. In 1989 Joe started volunteering with a low power Catholic TV station that broadcasted from the IDS building in downtown Minneapolis, and still volunteers with that station. After three years as a college seminarian Joe decided not to pursue studying for the priesthood.
In 1993 Joe had the opportunity to go to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia for four months to volunteer at a Catholic TV station. He worked on field recording, editing and transmitter repair. In 1995 he returned to St. Lucia for ten months to again help at the station, and was blessed to meet his future wife, Mirla. They just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in September!
Joe is an active member of SBE (Society of Broadcast Engineers) and has served as an officer for the Minnesota Chapter 17 for the past 15 years. In 2023, SBE recognized Joe as the national Robert W. Flanders Engineer of the Year. Joe is a leader in our metro-wide network of local community media stations who generously share resources and programming. Joe’s passion for the mission of local community media has remained strong over 37 years of service and is still obvious in his work every day.
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