Roger Ogden
2005
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
Possessing a shrewd business sense and a keen eye for talent, both on and off camera, Roger Ogden is arguably the icon in Denver television news. Recently named President and CEO of the Gannett Broadcasting Division, Roger's talent for leadership, journalistic excellence, visionary management, and community relations is legendary.
A Colorado native, Roger's first television experience came at KBTV (now KUSA) in 1968, working as a reporter, part-time anchor, assignment editor, and managing news director. In 1977, he took a job as a news director at WLKY in Louisville, KY – moving back to Denver the following year as the news director at KUSA. From 1981-95, he was the President and GM of KOA-TV (then affiliated with NBC) and focused so intently on news that he had the call letters changed to KCNC – Colorado's News Channel. It was during this time that Roger's commitment to local news and serving the community began to set the standard in local television: coverage of the Bolder Boulder 10K race, adding morning news, afternoon news, expanding newscasts, telecasts of local high school and college sports.
For two years, he was President and GM of NBC Europe in London, returning to Denver and KUSA in 1997 as President and GM of Gannett-owned 9News. His belief in hard competition and good sportsmanship set the tone for the market. His focus on innovation and technology has resulted in KUSA being one of three stations in the country broadcasting local news in HDTV. His legacy of leadership includes innovative new community-oriented programs, dedication to news, and team building. In addition, he is one of the founding GMs of the Heartland Chapter and a strong supporter of the Colorado Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame and the Colorado Broadcasters Association. He resides in Denver with his wife, Anne, and family.
Board of Governors Award Recipient: 1996
Bill Perry
2005
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
Bill Perry is Deputy Director, Network Public Affairs at Oklahoma Educational Television (OETA), the public television network serving Oklahoma. In that capacity, he oversees the production of two monthly documentary programs: Stateline (focusing on the issues, people, and politics of Oklahoma) and Gallery (showcasing the arts and culture of the state), Oklahoma News Report programs, and other in-house productions of public affairs programs and specials.
An Oklahoma native, Bill began his television career at KTEN in Ada – operating the station’s first color camera for the first locally-originated color program there in 1969. Moving to KOCO’s news team as an anchor, producer, reporter, and photographer, he then went on to Dallas, working on both sides of the camera at KDFW. As the News Director for WBBH in Ft. Meyers, he supervised field coverage for the launch of the first NASA Space Shuttle. During his time with WATE in Tennessee, he was one of 9 news directors to form the ABC News Directors Advisory Board to foster affiliate news services for the network. AP and UPI news awards followed.
Back in Oklahoma in 1986, Bill taught broadcast news at East Central University in addition to his television work at first KTEN and then KAUT. In 1990, he joined OETA as the Field Bureau Manager and quickly took over the reins of the documentary department, garnering Emmys, Clarions, Auroras, NETAs, and countless other regional and state awards. Bill consistently involves himself in helping the community in many ways: he and fellow members of the 1997 class of the Oklahoma City Police Academy adopted the motto “Ready to Help.” He works with the Christian Retirement Community raising funds and helping with promotional materials. For the past 10 years, he has been an integral part of the Oklahoma City Gridiron Club political parody show, which helps raise money for Oklahoma Journalism student scholarships. Bill serves as a Regional Vice President of the Heartland Chapter Board of Governors and is the president of the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters group.
Bill and his wife, Sue, reside in Edmond; his two children live in Texas.
Ed Scott
2005
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
Anyone living in Denver in the 1950s and early 1960s – especially the youngsters – will remember Sheriff Scotty. The Sheriff, a grizzled 70-year-old lawman, appeared on their black and white television sets emphasizing good old-fashioned American values: he wanted his "posse" members to do their chores, obey their folks, and treat their friends with honesty and respect. Ed Scott was a 20-something broadcasting entrepreneur when he first donned the Sheriff's badge; today he is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado – and in between is a lifetime of service to the broadcast community.
Ed Scott started his television career in Chicago in 1949 as a freelance actor, host, and announcer. He moved to Denver in 1953 and has, in the ensuing 45 years, worked on various shows as a producer, host, announcer, analyst, narrator, and even puppeteer – at KMGH, KUSA, KCNC, KWGN, and Rocky Mountain PBS. He was awarded a first-place Telly in national competition for his work on the documentary, "There Was a Time." His "day jobs" (in freelance lingo) show that Ed had a flair for the business of broadcasting as well as community service: ownership of radio stations in Denver and Kansas City, serving as the Mayor of Englewood, and election to the Colorado State Senate – just to name a few!
Ed is also known as a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist, participates in numerous leadership activities within his church, and has been inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado Hall of Fame.
Fred Shook
2005
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
Fred Shook is a television news advisor and trainer for US and international clients, working with reporters, photojournalists, producers, editors, management, corporations, and government agencies to implement more effective storytelling approaches and communication practices. He established the broadcast journalism program at Colorado State University and has been a member of the faculty for the annual National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Television News Video Workshop from 1984 through 1997, and the NPPA Advanced Team Television News Workshop from 1998 to the present. He has written five books on electronic news gathering, field reporting, news writing, and the process of news broadcasting. Before joining the faculty at Colorado State, Fred worked as a news writer, reporter, photographer, editor, and producer for over 22 years.
During his tenure with the University of Oklahoma, Fred helped to expand and refine the broadcast journalism curriculum for the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication and contributed to the design of the school's new wing.
News professionals from around the Heartland region and, in fact, from across the country have learned the finer points of excellence in journalism from Fred Shook; he is indefatigable in his ability to instill in his students a respect for this powerful medium, a delight in storytelling, and the motivation to preserve the integrity of journalism.
Fred is the recipient of numerous professional awards, including the NPPA's "Outstanding National Educator" award.
Ron Zappolo
2005
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
Ron Zappolo is the co-anchor of the 9 O'clock news at KDVR Fox31 in Denver, having helped in its launch 5 years ago. Ron got his start back in 1970 at WTTG in Washington, DC, as a copy boy, working his way up to the weekend sportscaster position. Seven years later, he made the jump to KOA (now KCNC) and moved to Denver – knowing only that it was part of one of those "square states" out west. He worked as the main sports anchor, did play-by-play for KOA radio, and made a name for himself in the sports world by earning the respect of players, coaches, and viewers for his integrity, reporting, and love of sports. In 1990, he moved to KUSA as a sports anchor and also as the host of the "Denver Huddle," a sports interview show. He became known for his sports commentary segments during the nightly newscast.
Making the change from a sports guy to a credible news anchor has been a challenge Ron welcomed with his trademark professionalism and humility. At KDVR, he also hosts a show, "Zappolo's People," during which he interviews celebrities, politicians, and local heroes. Ron is now firmly entrenched in Colorado and active in the community. He is passionate about his work with the Adoption Exchange, for over 15 years helping to make the public aware of children in the foster care system waiting for parents. Ron is also active with the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer event and the Colorado Aids Project.
Ron enjoys spending time on the golf course or watching a good game – especially the Red Sox! – but most of all, he loves spending time with his wife and five children.