career day: host bios

Stewart Aker
Director Programming
Sportsnet

Stuart has been in broadcasting for over 25 years with experience in both radio and television. He has had the opportunity to work in Montreal and Toronto. Most of his background is in Production, with extensive experience working as a Show Producer, Features Producer and in management.

For over 10 years, Stuart served as Managing Producer for Studio Production at Sportsnet. Other management positions he has held include Director of Programming at both Sportsnet and The Weather Network.

A few career highlights - producing the first ever show on Sportsnet and overseeing Sportsnet's News coverage from the Vancouver Olympics.

Keith Beaulieu
Manager of Engineering
CITY-TV

I started working for CHUM television in June of 1990 after completing 4 months of cooperative education with the broadcaster. Did whatever manual Labor and odd ball jobs I had to do including sweeping the carpentry room floors to keep my foot in the door, demonstrate my eagerness to work and earn a dollar from a corporation I wanted to work for. I did the part-time job for about three years working in various different capacities for Citytv / MuchMusic.  I filled in a lot of relief and vacation in live and post production operations, as a TVA, audio assistant and camera operator. In the meantime I continued my education.

I worked on installations for the engineering group installing wires for new upgrades and building out the expanding businesses. Eventually before CHUM was sold to CTV we had taken the facility from 2 to 23 conventional and specialty services. In May of 1993, I was hired full time by Operations as a VTR/MCR operator on overnights, whiles I started up my own Integration business building projects for companies like YOUtv and re-vamping a control room for the Scarborough Board of Education at Stephan Leacock C.I.

In 1997 I was promoted to an Operations Floater Position, where I worked as a TD / Camera Operator / Audio Operator for all of CHUMs Television Services, I was privy to working with some of the biggest stars and Musical Performers In some of the grandest places.. even on top of a mountain in Kamloops BC or on the other coast in Marble Mountain Newfoundland. I also continued my technical interests outside of the company at a limited basis.

In 2001 I was Given Senior Operations Status with CHUM Television.

In 2003 I began to Technical Produce Live Broadcasts from Intimate and Interactives to Location remotes such as Toronto New Years Eve shows, the Genie Awards and of course my favorite the Much Music Video Awards.

In 2004 I took the technical lead on the first Canadian Live HDTV Broadcast. It was the MuchMusic  Video Awards 2004.  the technology wasn’t nearly developed to do this as well as it is done today… and it was a flawless show despite the trials and tribulations that faced us in the planning stages.

In 2005 the closure for CHUM was detectable… faced with an unpredictable future, I decided to really start working on my own productions and building on my engineering skill set. I Worked diligently on a project designing studios for a Company called AMP’d Mobile. This was the first facility to deliver and encode Live Television for video phones on the TELUS mobile network here in Canada.

In 2006 the word Hit… CTV acquired CHUM broadcasting and the reality was that parts of CHUMs assets (CITYTV) would need to be sold to meet regulatory requirements.

In 2007 I took a month of vacation from my position at CTV and went to work for Sony Integration on the design of a new HD Production Mobile for Global Television.

In OCT 2007 to April  2008 CTV Released me under loan to Dome Productions to lead a transition of one of their SD production Mobiles. This would help alleviate the now rapidly growing HD market and production requirements.
In October of 2008,  My current  full time employer , (ROGERS MEDIA) Offered me a position on their team. As the Manager of special events  I was to help them from an engineering and operation stand point build out their new facility at Yonge Dundas Square. I was also required to help maintain the stations capabilities for Special Shows such as New Years Eves and Breakfast television. I have been fortunate to work in many parts of the world with production, ensuring our signals make it back to home base and that our technical needs  have been covered

In September of 2009 after 11 Months of 16hr weekdays… finally the new home of Citytv and Omni television hit the air… and while we had issues it was clear we were going to do alright at our new location. My services from an engineering standpoint were not required so my focus became much more service oriented for the production departments.

In October of 2009 I invested and took lead hand in building a State of the Art Live AUDIO Mobile for a company called Broadcast Audio Services. 

2010  Served another year of production services and a surprise in April When I was promoted to Director of Special Events and Technical Design at Rogers Media.

I was also hired by Applied Electronics to Design the new HD mobile for Humber College in June 2010. 

In the fall of 2010, I was given the funds to design and build a new HD Microwave truck for CityNews.

In the spring of 2011 I was given further funding to build another HD live truck for Citytv.. This time it was to incorporate satellite technology. The first time that Citytv ever had the ability to transmit under its own operations truly almost “EVERYWHERE!”

In Oct of 2011, I was asked to take on the Manager of engineering role at Yonge Dundas Square. This brings me to where I am today, Managing at current 35 different engineering projects with several productions to be managed in the loom.

York Bell Smith
Program Director
107.9 The Breeze/Star93.3FM

York is a graduate of the Radio Broadcasting program at Loyalist College in Belleville. He graduated in 2001 and started working at Q100 and Classic Hits 95.5 in Belleville.

York joined Pineridge Broadcasting in 2004 as Promotions Director and Evening Show host. York is now the Program Director for 107. The Breeze and STAR 93.3, as well as Promotions Director for both stations plus the New Magic 96.7 in Peterborough. York, his wife, Adrienne Bell-Smith and 3year old son Harrison live in Cobourg.

SHANNON BENTLEY - BIO

Shannon graduated on the Dean's Honour List from the University of Western Ontario. From there, she began her career at TSN in 1995, where she honed her skills as a journalist producing sports highlight packs and feature stories for “Sportscentre” and “TSN Sunday”. She joined Discovery Channel in October of 1997 to produce science and technology segments.  Her passion for technology and television led to a position in front of the camera hosting and producing the column “Gadget Girl” on Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet.

She could be seen as a recurring guest on CTV's “Canada AM”, TalkTV’s “The Chatroom”, and Tech TV's “Lab with Leo”, where she kept viewers up to date on the latest science gadgets and gizmos.  Shannon also brought technology reviews to shows like City TV’s “Breakfast Television” and A-Channel News across the country as well as hosting the live coverage of the annual FIRST Robotics games on Discovery Channel.

Shannon also had the opportunity to produce and host her own half-hour show on The Women's Sports Network (WTSN) called “Shannon's Science of Sport”, and more recently host the 60-minute science digest program “Planet Replay” on Civilization Channel.

Shannon has now branched off with her own full-service production company, “Shott Innovation Media Production Services”.  Along with shooting, editing and producing content for international corporations & public service departments she continues to bring consumers sneak-peaks of exciting new gadgets as a freelance media spokesperson for clients such as Rogers, Bell, and PayPal.

But Shannon’s favourite hi-tech toys are the ones that come with wheels!  She test-drives and reviews the latest cars & motorcycles to bring you news from the automotive scene as a regular freelance reporter on TSN’s “Motorcycle Experience” and “Wheels on Edge” web TV.

When time permits, Shannon can be found at Joyride150 – a 90,000sqft indoor bike park in Markham which she co-owns with her husband and partner.  The park is the only one of its kind in Canada and provides recreational riding & training facilities for bike riders of all levels and disciplines such as mountain bike & BMX.

Her other interests include business, competitive sports, racecars/motorcycles, music, film and theatre acting. Shannon is a member of a local theatre group and participates in the renowned Second City Improvisational Classes.

Calling Shannon an adrenaline junkie is an understatement. She has jumped out of a plane at 11,000ft, races mountain bikes in the Ontario Cup series, competes in triathlon (including Ironman and ITU World Championships), plays competitive ice hockey, loves to rip around the local race tracks in her own stock car or motorcycle, and has travelled around the world to find the ultimate biking/hiking adventure race.

Lisa Bowditch
Director of Media Management
Rogers Broadcasting

Lisa is the Director of Media Management for Rogers Broadcasting, overseeing the development and deployment of Media Asset Management technologies and workflows at Sportsnet, Citytv, Omni Television, G4, OLN, Biography, FX Canada and SCN.

Having worked for more than 25 years in television archives, and for other major Canadian broadcasters including CTV and Global TV, she has seen media management evolve from film to tape to file.  She is currently working on a number of projects at Rogers that involve the distribution of media content via file to/from stations across the country as well as sales clients, programming distributors and viewers.

Nancy Brown Dacko

Nancy is a Senior Executive possessing more than 30 years of experience in the broadcast industry. She currently serves as Past President of the Ontario Association of Broadcasters, and is President of Direct Media Sales, the business development arm of Target Broadcast Sales.  Together they represent 150 independently owned radio stations in their national advertising efforts across Canada.

A native of London, Ontario, Nancy embarked upon her career in sales and marketing at CJBK radio in London. She moved to Toronto in 1984 to join CFGM where she was promoted to General Sales Manager, and then Q107 as Director of New Business Development.

Nancy expanded her media influence to include television as Director of Business Development for The Weather Network in 1993.  She enjoyed much success in developing strategic media partnerships, and played a major role in the creation of a unified sales team to support The Weather Network, Meteo Media, The Weather Network website, and Pelmorex Radio Network.

In 1997 Nancy took on the challenge as part of the originating executive team to launch a new TV channel Shop TV Canada, a division of Torstar. As Director of Sales, she led the effort to build high value client partnerships to generate significant sales revenue from launch and continued for 7 consecutive years.  She was then promoted to Vice President, and General Manager to lead a total staff of 25 dedicated to media/online sales and infomercial production.

Throughout her career Nancy has trained, developed and managed exceptional teams to create multi-media sales and creative production strategies for radio, television, and digital platforms.

In her role with the OAB, she was one of the originating team members to co-ordinate Amber Alert in Ontario with the OPP and Red Alert with Emergency Management Ontario. 

Maureen Bulley

Maureen Bulley is Creative Director at Rogers Radio in Toronto.

She has authored 3 major training initiatives including the RADIO POWER TOOLS Program and the CERTIFIED RADIO COPYWRITER program: the official industry certification course. Her latest book is entitled “Write Good Copy, Fast!”. These programs are designed to increase the effectiveness of advertising and station self-promotion.

Maureen has been working in the Broadcast industry for over three decades at a variety of radio and television stations. She is one of the most-awarded Radio Creative Directors in North America with several Clio and “International Radio Festival” Awards to her credit. Maureen has trained hundreds of writers and producers to write more effective commercials, and she is a frequent presenter at broadcast conventions worldwide, as well as a regular contributor to a variety of industry publications.

Maureen is a Certified Print Production Practitioner and Certified Advertising Agency Practitioner, industry designations awarded by the Institute of Canadian Advertising. She also spent a decade as a Professor of Media Studies at Humber College in Toronto.

Dave Cadeau
Senior Producer
SPORTSNET 590 The FAN

As Senior Producer with SPORTSNET 590 The FAN, Dave brings over twelve years of multi-faceted sports experience in the industry. After winning The FAN 590 Award while completing his post-graduate Journalism Diploma at Humber College, Dave started an internship with Canada’s number one all-sports radio station and quickly advanced to the position of Show Producer.

In his first eight years with The FAN, he took on many roles, as Producer, Sportscaster, Talk Show Host, and Reporter. Dave also managed other roles outside of the radio station including Play-by-play for Rogers Television, Suite Reporter for The Score, and Floor Director with LeafsTV.

In 2008, Dave joined TSN as a Chase Producer with Michael Landsberg’s Off The Record, acquiring even greater experience on the television side of the business. During this time, he also increased his knowledge and experience with Social Media through management of OTR’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

In 2011, Dave returned to SPORTSNET 590 The FAN in his current role of Senior Producer. Presently, he manages the station’s content, and acts as the liaison to Rogers other sports properties including TV, digital and print.

Kelly Colasanti

:: no bio available at this time ::

Pat Cugliari
Director of Creative Services
Astral Media Radio G.P.

• Bachelor of Applied Arts - Ryerson U. 1983
• Industrial videos (write/produce/direct) 19883-85 (Stelco, Hamilton)
• Copywriter (CKFM-FM) 1985 - '98
• Host/Writer - "Comedy Lodge" 1986-'90
• Host "Comedy Today" - syndicated 60-second show 1993 - '98
• Writer "Canadian Hot 20" - syndicated countdown show 1998 - 2002
• Creative Director - Standard Radio Toronto (Mix-FM, CFRB, 97.3 EZ Rock) - 2002 - 2008
• Creative Director -Astral Media Toronto (Virgin 99.9, Newstalk 1010, Boom 97.3) 2008 - present

Awards: Gold medals: New York Festivals, Crystal Awards.
International Broadcasting Awards: numerous silver, bronze, honourable mentions and certificates of merit.

Chaired/Judged national and international competitions.

Lectured: Humber, Seneca, Ryerson, York as well as many elementary and high schools.

Paul Cugliari
Vice President/General Manager
105.3 KOOL-FM/99.5 KFUN-FM
a division of Bell Media Radio

In 1980, I applied to the Radio and Television Arts program at Ryerson and was denied entrance based on my academic marks. Angered and upset,  I  entered Ryerson in a different program and spent the year attempting to improve my academic marks.  I reapplied to the program in 1981 and was accepted.

In 1982, between my first and second year in RTA, I was hired in the music department at 99.9 CKFM-FM in Toronto (now Virgin 99.9).  I graduated from RTA in 1984 and continued working at CKFM-FM, becoming music director in 1985.  In 1986, I was approached to interview for the job of Program Director for CFMS-FM in Victoria and was offered the job.  In 1987, I left Victoria for family reasons and returned to Ontario.  In March of 1987, I was offered the job of Program Director at CHYM-FM in Kitchener/Waterloo.  In 1993, I was offered the job of Program Director for 105.3 KOOL-FM and Oldies 1090 in Kitchener/Waterloo by CHUM Ltd. 

In 1999, I was promoted to General Manager of both stations
In 2003 I became VP/GM….and here I sit.

Jodie Davis

Jodie Davis graduated in 1996 from York/Seneca's joint program with a double major degree in Communications & English and a diploma in Radio/Television Arts. For the past 15 years, Jodie has been working at the center of innovative and new TV entertainment programming.

He has made his mark at Much Music, U8TV/LOFTERS, Toronto 1 and most recently at Entertainment Tonight Canada where he is the Supervising Producer. Jodie has supervised the production of ET Canada’s Grammy Red Carpet show, Gemini Red Carpet show and Global TV's annual New Year Eve’s Special, each of which have been viewed by over one million Canadians. For 10 years, Jodie has also maintained a hand in radio by working as a regular freelance producer at AM640.

Renée Dubois
Promotions Coordinator
Classic Rock Q107 & Talk Radio AM640
Corus Entertainment

Renée DuBois is the Promotions Coordinator for Q107 and Talk Radio AM640, both a Corus Entertainment company. Renée is responsible for the day to day success of the Promotions Department, working directly with the Promotions Director; she handles all correspondence between the radio stations and winners. She not only coordinates all prizing, and on-air giveaway copy points, but she is also the PSA Director assisting major non-for profit organizations in getting their message out to Torontonians. In addition, Renée’s fun-loving spirit and organizational expertise is brought to life through helping new-to–radio interns gain experience in their future field through intern staffing in her additional role as the Toronto Intern Coordinator.

Like most media professionals, Renée did not start at the top. Gaining experience, Renée began her radio career as an intern, Intern Army Coordinator, and even Promotions Assistant with 102.1 The Edge. Today, Renée’s love for media also extends to her freelance voice work which has gained Renée national exposure.

Renée will no doubt continue to excel, and remain a staple employee in her roles at Corus Entertainment.

To contact Renée, please email her at renee@q107.com

Cory Fuchs
Owner / C.E.O.
Media Job Search Canada Inc.

Corey Fuchs, Owner and C.E.O. of Media Job Search Canada Inc. is the creator and developer of
Media Job Search Canada .com, Canada’s premier Job Board that helps Canadians search for mediarelated
positions across Canada.

With a background as Writer /Producer in Television Creative he got started in Television during his first
semester while in Humber College’s Radio Broadcasting Program. Volunteering at CFMT TV, which is
now Omni 1 & 2 in Toronto doing writing and producing jobs for the full 3 years of the course. After
graduating from Humber, he was offered a Full-Time job in the Commercial Production Department as a
Promotions Writer/Producer and stayed for 5 years.

In 1995 he took an opportunity to work in Thunder Bay for Dougall Media’s Thunder Bay Television
(TBT). After 3 year as the Promotions Coordinator for both a CBC and CTV Affiliate, he was able to
bring forward the talents he learned at CFMT and was a CanPro winner of a News Promo that he did for
TBT’s Northwest Newsweek program.

In February of 1998 Corey decided to move back to Toronto and found that when he returned home, it
was hard to find another job in Television. At that time there were no Canadian Media Job Boards to be
found. Searching the internet he found several American Media Job Boards but nothing geared to the
Canadian Media Industry. Two months later he decided to create a website that would list Television
and Radio stations in Canada. This new website would help people search these sites for jobs in
Canada Media.

Media Job Search Canada.com was conceived in May 1998. After many design issues, the website was
finally launched on April 23, 1999. The next 2 years had the website expanding to include web links to
Advertising and Marketing Companies, Newspapers, Magazines, Film & Video Companies. IT and Web
companies were added a year later.

In May 2000 a Television station in Prince George, CKPG-TV contact MJSC about posting a Job Ad on
its website. Since the website was only designed to list web links, it had to be re-designed. 48 hours
later the website was ready to allow companies to posted Job Ads on its website. Media Job Search
Canada.com’s first official paid Job Ad was posted on May 26, 2000 by CKPG Television.
Since then, Media Job Search Canada.com has posted over 24,000 Job Ads and has helped 2800
companies, from across Canada, fill media-related positions.

Future plans are to create a French version of the website and then tap into the USA market with
domains like: www.mediajobsearchusa.com & www.mediajobsearchamerica.com

Laurie Graham
General Sales Manager
NEWSTALK 610 AM CKTB
105.7FM EZ Rock
97.7 HTZ FM

Laurie Graham started her broadcasting career in the traffic department of CKEY in 1976.  She then moved into a sales position at CKEY in 1976, where she stayed for 3½ years before moving on to CKO.  At CKO, Laurie sold both locally and nationally. In 1985 she moved over to CFRB to replace the first woman in sales in Toronto, who was going on Maternity Leave. Laurie remained in Sales moving into the Retail Sales Manager role and then becoming General Sales Manager for CFRB.  In 2003, after 19 years at CFRB, Laurie left to become the General Sales Manager for Standard’s 3 stations in St. Catharines. 

Laurie sits on the Board of Directors for Canadian Women in Communications and is her 3rd term.  Most recently she was asked to join the executive committee for the CWC as well.  Laurie is also on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Association of Broadcasters.

Humble Howard & Fred Patterson

Humble and Fred are a couple of nice fellows who have been part of the Toronto radio scene since 1989.

On the hunch of a very progressive Program Director named Danny Kingsbury, Humble was plucked out of Montreal to come and work with Fred at CFNY-FM.

For the next 12 years they entertained their audience with a mixture of humour, irreverence and goofiness while CFNY morphed into 102.1 The Edge. Then in 2001, a well intentioned big shot at their company had the brilliant idea of moving Humble and Fred from The Edge, which was on the cool FM band, to something called MOJO Radio which was on the AM band. How they were ever talked into it is still a mystery to this day. They can’t even explain it.

The MOJO project got off to a great start, but then managerial cold feet turned it into something the two nice fellows weren't comfortable with. So when the chance to move back to the cool FM band came along, they jumped. But alas it turns out the station wasn’t so cool. Square peg, round hole – it barely lasted two years before Humble and Fred were separated for the first time in 16 years.

What followed was six years of meandering, flip-flopping and soul searching as they looked for that door that was supposed to open after the other one closed. Problem is they found themselves in the hallway of hell. It had no doors. They started to take it personally. They thought “maybe it’s something we did.”

And it was at this point they bought into another popular cliché. Everything happens for a reason. And the reason could be this:

Humble and Fred ruined radio and now they’re going to kill the internet.
It’s true man true. After more than 20 years on Toronto’s airwaves Humble and Fred are no longer wanted by regular radio. They’ve asked about jobs and they’ve applied for jobs, but nobody wants them. It seems Humble and Fred wrecked every radio station they worked for, so the only option now is to wreck the internet.

Starting October 15th HumbleandFredRadio.com will be on the air, or online or whatever you want to call what happens on internet radio. A daily dose of Humble and Fred uncensored, uncut and definitely uncouth.

HumbleandFredRadio.com – starting October 15th and lasting as long as it takes to wreck the internet.
Computers – iPhones and iPods soon to be useless.

Steve Kassay
VP, Programming
Durham Radio Inc.
(KX-96, KX-947, 94.9 The Rock, CKDO)

Starting at CFGM/Toronto in 1984, Steve’s career has taken him through stations and various broadcasting companies in Toronto, Central and Southern Ontario, and nationally syndicated live shows - in production, programming, on-air, Music Director and Program Director capacities.

Now Vice-President, Programming for Durham Radio Inc., Steve manages operations for KX-96, KX-947, 94.9 The Rock and CKDO. From Country to Rock to AC formats, the common denominators for Steve are a passion for radio and the performers whose style make it all happen.

Anne Lavrih

Anne Lavrih has been working in radio since 1985 and has done just about everything along the way. She's been a club and concert reporter (99.9 CKFM), she's done split-shift traffic and produced weekly news features (97.3 CJEZ); she's been a news anchor, reported the weather and has even been a ski and snowboard reporter (680 CFTR). More recently Anne has been a general assignment reporter, news editor and is currently is the Newsroom Coordinator at Toronto's number one all-news radio station (680News).

Anne has emceed numerous ‘Women of Influence' luncheons at the Metro Convention Centre and has anchored on CFMT TV. Anne is also busy voicing commercials, radio promotions and is the voice of the 680News Calendar and Website. She also interviews, produces and voices the ‘Today's Parent Report', a broadcast feature heard across Canada which tackles child and family issues.

Scott Metcalfe
News Director
680 News

Scott started his radio career at CHAB in Moose Jaw, Sask.  From there he went to CHED in Edmonton and back east to BX-93 in London, ON.  Scott then moved to Toronto to join CJCL, which became the FAN 590.  

Now Scott calls 680News home.

JD Moffat
Operations Manager – Bayshore Broadcasting
Central Cluster

JD has been in Owen Sound for 12 years, originally as the Morning Host of MIX 1065, and steadily working his way into Management, first as PD of ‘The MIX’, and since 2009 as Operations of Bayshore’s Owen Sound cluster, which includes MIX1065, COUNTRY 93 and 560 CFOS.

JD’s radio journey started as he graduated from Mohawk’s Radio Broadcasting Program, then took him for a 3 year stint at Humber Valley Broadcasting’s CFCB in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland.

Between ‘the Rock’ and ‘the Sound’, JD has made productive stops in Renfrew (OVR Radio Network), Barrie (the original CKBB, now B101), and Newmarket (Power 885, fomerly CKAN), developing in Announcing, Production, Promotion, and Programming.

If ever in Owen Sound, you may find JD at any of the many local golf courses, hosting countless functions and events, getting together a pick-up basketball game, and enjoying free time with his wife Jennifer and 2 kids.

Doug Moorhouse

A 1990 graduate of Ryerson’s RTA program, Doug Moorhouse has held several key production positions within the industry over the past 22 years, in Toronto, Barrie and Kelowna BC, including morning show producer, overnight host, writer & commercial producer, and Production Director.  

Currently, Doug is the Commercial Production Manager for Astral Media’s Toronto Stations (boom 97-3, 99-9 Virgin Radio, and Newstalk 1010).  He has received many awards & finalist mentions at the Crystal Awards, Radio Impact Awards, Lotus Awards, and London International Advertising Awards.

Michelle Moy
Engineering Manager
Rogers Sportsnet

Michelle has more than 15 years of experience in the television broadcast industry. She joined the Sportsnet team in the fall of 2010. During her short time with Sportsnet she was involved in the new Fan 590 studio, the new Blackberry set at the Rogers Centre, the move of Sportsnet Vancouver to a new facility and the rebranding of Sportsnet in 2011.

Prior to joining Sportsnet, Michelle worked as a freelance engineering technician for Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. She spent 6 months in Toronto and at the International Broadcast Centre in Vancouver assisting with the installation and configuration of equipment for control rooms, studios, and edit suites.

From 2006 through 2009, Michelle was the Supervisor of the Broadcast Engineering department at CTV in Toronto. Her team of 8 was responsible for over 25 channels which included the CTV television network, specialty channels TSN, Discovery Channel and MTV.

Previous to this, Michelle was an engineering technician at CTV. Her expertise with video servers, automation and editing systems took her to CTV properties in Saskatoon, Montreal and Halifax where she assisted local technicians with issues.

Michelle went to Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario and graduated from the Electronics Engineering Technology Telecommunications program.

Manny Paiva
News Manager
Bayshore Broadcasting Corporation

Manny Paiva is the News Manager for the award winning Bayshore Broadcasting News Centre. He leads one of the largest radio newsrooms in the province, a newsroom that has won several RTNDA awards for best newscasts and features.

Manny Paiva is based at the Owen Sound office for Bayshore Broadcasting and you can hear him on several Bayshore radio stations including 560 CFOS-AM, MIX 106.5 FM, Country 93 and 98 the Beach.

Manny started in Owen Sound in 1994 after graduating from Fanshawe College in London with a Broadcast Journalism Diploma. From there, he has moved into different reporting and on air positions within Bayshore Broadcasting. As a reporter, Manny has covered the Walkerton E.coli disaster and the tour boat disaster in Tobermory. Now he also hosts the Open Line talk show and Sportstalk.

Manny can also be heard as one of the voices of the OHL Owen Sound Attack on Bear Radio on 560 CFOS.

In his spare time, Manny enjoys spending time with his wife Shannon and daughter Abigail as well as coaching, playing and announcing various sporting events.

Beatrice Politi

It's been over a decade since award-winning journalist Beatrice Politi officially began her career in broadcast television. Unofficially, it started a lot earlier - watching the news every night with her father. Beatrice's first foot into the business was as a health intern at CBC Toronto where she researched and produced health segments.

Beatrice went on to become a reporter and anchor at CBC, where she covered national, local and network stories including the 2003 blackout, SARS, the Cecilia Zhang murder case, the Queen's Jubilee visit, and the 2003 Ontario election.

She also served as Parliamentary Reporter for CityTV, CP24 and A-Channel in Ottawa reporting on the fall of Paul Martin's Liberals, the rise of Stephen Harper's Conservatives, federal and provincial elections, budgets and cabinet shuffles.

Since October 2007, Beatrice has returned to her first love in reporting - health. In her daily 4-minute segment, Beatrice files health stories for a local and cross-country viewership. She is also a correspondent for Global Television's weekly investigative news magazine "16:9 The Bigger Picture"

Beatrice has won 9 awards for her health coverage since joining Global Television in 2007. She was awarded the 2012 Media Award for ongoing coverage of mental health issues by the Ontario Psychological Association. She received the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) - Honourable Mention - Dan McArthur award, the 2010 Registered Nurses Association of Ontario – Best-in-depth feature award, as well as, a Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Special Mention for her investigative report on energy drinks and their potential health risks. She was also awarded the 2010 Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario (RPNAO) Excellence in Journalism Award for her story “Fever Pitch” revisiting SARS years later.

In 2009, her story on the H1N1 virus being deadly for a small percentage of the population won her Best-in-depth Feature and the Excellence in Journalism Award from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. She was also honoured with the 2009 Registered Nurses Association of Ontario Best News story for “Back Decompression Surgery” – a story about a new procedure that can help prevent spinal cord injury patients from needing the use of a wheelchair.

Beatrice is a graduate of both York University and Ryerson.

Chris Pottage
Production Director
Rogers Radio, Toronto Radio Operations
98.1 CHFI / 680 NEWS / THE FAN 590 / KISS 92.5

In 1986 Chris got his start in media at The Image Corporation, a small communications company in Waterloo, producing TV commercials, corporate videos and multi-image shows (on any given day he could be found wearing the hat(s) of Producer, Director, Editor or Videographer).

After a 2 year stint with The Image Corporation Chris pursued his degree at Ryerson in the Radio and Television Arts Program, and graduated in 1990. While attending Ryerson he got his first radio job with Q107 where he started as an operator and producer of the Sunday Night Sex Show, and later became a freelance commercial & imaging producer for the station.

In 1993, after 5 years with Q107, Chris took the position of Imaging Producer with a brand-new station; Country radio station 92.5 CISS FM in Toronto. Two years into the gig, Chris became the Production Director (and later Creative Director) overseeing not only the radio station’s production, but also the post audio operations of Country Music Television (CMT Canada).

During his tenure with CISS FM, Chris was given the unique opportunity to record, mix and produce live performances by the who’s who of Country Music for a radio station feature called Live at 5 – more than 600 songs by hundreds of Artists; from the Dixie Chicks, to The Band, to Lyle Lovett, to Martina McBride, to Faith Hill, to Alabama, to Blue Rodeo and many more. It was not only a highlight of his years in Country Radio…but a highlight of his life (second only to his marriage to wife Alisa, and his 2 kids).

In 1999, CISS Country was purchased by Rogers, which flipped the format to Top 40 and changed the name to KISS92. At that time Chris was brought on board to serve as Production Director for all three of Rogers’ Toronto radio stations (now 4 with the FAN). In 2002 KISS92 came to an end and JackFM was born. Chris produced all of the launch imaging for every Jack station in Canada as well as 8 others in the United States and has been instrumental in defining the “sound” of the Jack brand.

Chris has received many awards for his work including:

• The Grand Award at New York festivals (2006)
• Best of Show at the Crystals (2002)
• Gold Ribbon for Promotion Image by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (2002, 2007)
• Radio & Production Awards’ Best Promo Large Market (2006)
• Best PSA at the International Broadcast Awards in Hollywood (2002)
• …as well as many other gold, silver and bronze awards and finalist certificates.

25 years and counting – and he’s loving every minute of it!

Ken Rutledge
Account Executive
Rogers Media

For the passed 1 ½ years I have been a National Account Executive at Rogers TV (CITY TV, OMNI). This is my second time with CITY TV, returning after a 20 year absence. Prior to last year I was National Account Executive at CTV Inc. and Director, National Sales at CanWest Global (1991-2008). My sales career began in Radio, working for BX93 London, CHUMFM and CKO News in Toronto.

Currently, I am on the Board for the Canadian Association of Broadcast Representatives. (CABR)
I’m a graduate of Fanshawe Radio in London, and love to ski, golf, travel, and have run three marathons.

Amy Saracino
Supervising Director
Global TV

It’s hard to believe I’ve been working in TV News for over a decade….but it’s true!

In 2000 I was lucky enough to land a college internship on the Global interview show Bynon, and that’s where it all began.  After the internship finished I was offered a part-time position at Global as an Editorial Assistant.  I of course eagerly accepted and have stayed with Global ever since.

I’ve had many jobs at the station over the years and been able to see so many different areas of how a newscast gets put together.  I’ve worked in the library, done some writing, was a research assistant, operated our graphics playout system, and been a Production Assistant which led to my current position (and really dream job) as Supervising Director.  I have done everything at the station from making coffee and rolling the teleprompter, to most recently directing Global’s Provincial Election broadcasts for Ontario and Manitoba.

I live for being in the director’s seat during breaking news coverage, and that passion was rewarded last year when I received a Gemini nomination in the category of Best Breaking News Coverage for our work on the G20 protests in Toronto. TV News really is a team effort and although I can now proudly say I am a Gemini nominated director I do still make the coffee and roll the prompter quite often!

Stephanie Shaughnessy
Promotions Director
680News / Sportsnet 590 The FAN

Stephanie Shaughnessy began her career in radio first at AM740 as receptionist and promotions representative.

Bit by the broadcast bug, she went on to join the 98.1 CHFI Mug Crew and from there worked her way up through the ranks of the promotions department where she served as first as Promotions Coordinator and then as Promotions Manager of 98.1 CHFI before moving over to become Promotions Director of 680News and Sportsnet 590 The FAN.

With a love for news and a family history steeped in sports it was a natural fit. Today she maintains her position of Promotions Director for 680News / Sportsnet 590 The FAN in addition to sitting on the Sportsnet Marketing Council.

Geoff Thrasher
General Sales Manager
CHCH TV

A Sales & Marketing Executive with over twenty years of progressively responsible management experience. A highly visible and active participant in industry and its associations.

Previous positions include; Director, Marketing and Sales, CBC NEWSWORLD, Senior Manager, Marketing and Sales, CBC, Toronto.  Geoff acquired progressive business development experience while working in the radio and television sector with companies such as Global Television Network and Maclean-Hunter’s radio division.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Radio and TV Broadcasting, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario
Advisor and Speaker, Broadcast Course, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Board Member, Ontario Association of Broadcasters
• Past President, Broadcast Executive Society
• Past Vice President, Canadian Association of Broadcast Representative
• Past President, Marketing Association of Specialty Television
• Past Member, Broadcast Research Council
• Past President, Canadian Association of Specialty Television
• Past Executive Board Member of Retail Advertising Council

Andrew Thomas
Core Team Lead, Operations
ROGERS CUBE Project, Rogers Television
Director of Technical Operations

Andrew obtained a BAA from the Ryerson University RTA program in 1989 while working at the House of Commons Broadcast Centre in Ottawa. He spent 10 years with Patterson-Partington Productions doing audio, switching, editing, mounting cameras on race cars, designing a 16 camera fiber-optic production truck and technical producing large multi-camera sporting events.

He helped launch CTV (now Rogers) Sportsnet in 1998, an HD channel in 2005, an HD file based facility in 2008, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and most recently is working on extending remote file based production and implementing a BMS system for Rogers TV properties. He also participates on the Advisory Board for the Television Broadcast Program at Loyalist College and is a manager of the Toronto section of the SMPTE.

Ron Waksman

A 21-year track record of executive editorial, broadcast, production and online news management. Network-wide and multi-platform oversight for journalistic, ethical, legal and regulatory policy. Project leader for the integration of online news with broadcast and the transition from legacy broadcaster to a fully digital news environment. Knowledgeable about internet, social media and multi-platform technology.

Senior advisor to the Vice-President of News on all news operations and strategic planning. Strong leadership, people and negotiating skills with senior management, non-unionized and unionized employees. Excellent motivational and team-building skills. Able to create loyalty based on openness, trust, integrity, empowerment and positive performance feedback. Multiple RTNDA, Edward R. Murrow and Gemini award winner, as well as numerous nominations.

GEOFF THRASHER
General Sales Manager
CHCH TV

A Sales & Marketing Executive with over twenty years of progressively responsible management experience. A highly visible and active participant in industry and its associations.

Previous positions include; Director, Marketing and Sales, CBC NEWSWORLD, Senior Manager, Marketing and Sales, CBC, Toronto.  Geoff acquired progressive business development experience while working in the radio and television sector with companies such as Global Television Network and Maclean-Hunter’s radio division.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Radio and TV Broadcasting, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario
Advisor and Speaker, Broadcast Course, Fanshawe College, London, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Board Member, Ontario Association of Broadcasters
• Past President, Broadcast Executive Society
• Past Vice President, Canadian Association of Broadcast Representative
• Past President, Marketing Association of Specialty Television
• Past Member, Broadcast Research Council
• Past President, Canadian Association of Specialty Television
• Past Executive Board Member of Retail Advertising Council