Buffalo Broadcasters Announces 2021 HOF
• After a one-year pandemic-related hiatus, the Buffalo Broadcasters Association announced the impending induction of the largest Hall of Fame class in the organization’s history.
The class of 2021 includes: Al Vaughters, “Call For Action” reporter, WIVB-TV, and Mike Igoe of WGRZ-TV(retired) in the Television category; Eileen Buckley, formerly of WBEN, WEBR & WGR Radio, currently a Sr. Reporter with WKBW-TV in the Radio category; Mickey Osterreicher of WKBW-TV (retired) & National Press Photographers Association, and Andy DeSantis of WGRZ-TV in the Behind The Scenes category; Charlie Banta, President/Founder of Mercury Capital Partners, former head of Rich Communications in Buffalo and Head of Greater Media’s radio division, in the Management category.
Heidi Raphael (left), Chief Communications Officer of Beasley Media Group will be inducted in the Buffalo Bob Smith National category. Raphael began her radio career in the mid-’80s on-air at WECK-AM, WGR-AM, WHTT and WGRF (97 Rock)/Buffalo. She went on to work at stations in Cleveland and Detroit before becoming SVP of Corporate Communications at Greater Media, Inc.; and the late Bob & Ellen Knechtel of WBEN-TV (now WIVB-TV) in the Broadcast Innovation category. In the 1950s Bob and Ellen’s handmade puppets and marionettes became the stars of WBEN-TV’s (now WIVB-TV) live kids shows Storybook Land, Fun To Learn,Puppet Carnival, Paper Capers and The Wonderful World of Kids.
“The Buffalo Broadcasters Association is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and we are delighted with this year’s induction class,” said Katie Morse of WKBW-TV, President of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association. “We are honored to recognize each inductee’s achievements and welcome them into the Hall of Fame.”
The Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Dinner is Thursday, November 4 in the Admiral Room in Buffalo. The MCs for the evening are Linda Pellegrino, recently retired from WKBW-TV, and award-winning film/TV actor William Fichtner, a Western New York native. The Hon. Penny Wolfgang and Steve Monaco are this year’s event chairs. Tickets for the event are $100 for Buffalo Broadcasters Association Members and $125 for non-members and are available at buffalobroadcasters.com.
