Stars Shined Brightly At BFOA Gala
• Many of broadcasting’s biggest personalities mingled with movie, television and media celebrities Monday evening as the Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) transformed The Plaza in New York City into a who’s who of the industry at its annual gala, drawing nearly 300 leaders from radio and television for a night that celebrated broadcasting excellence while raising funds for colleagues in need.
The gala honored several of broadcasting’s most influential figures — Stephen A. Smith received the inaugural Broadcast Personality of the Year Award; Ernest A. Liebre, Senior Vice President and Institutional Financial Advisor at CAPTRUST, was presented with the Philip J. Lombardo Spirit Award; Mark Lazarus, Chief Executive Officer of VERSANT and former Chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, received the BFOA Golden Mic Award; and Judge Judy Sheindlin was honored with the Edward F. McLaughlin Lifetime Achievement Award.
Natasha Verma of WNYW (FOX 5)/New York hosted the evening’s program as industry leaders, on-air talent, and media executives gathered in support of the Broadcasters Foundation’s vitally important charitable mission. Among the luminaries in attendance — legendary radio personality Scott Shannon, Deborah Norville, longtime BFOA Board member and veteran television journalist; Michael Kay, New York Yankees television announcer and ESPN Radio host; actress Christine Taylor; Arthur Aidala, prominent attorney and talk show host; Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight; Jodi Applegate, journalist and television host; and NBC personality Willie Geist.
Proceeds from the gala support the Broadcasters Foundation of America’s ongoing work providing financial assistance to broadcasters and their families facing acute hardship due to illness, accident, or natural disaster.
Pictured above, (l-r): BFOA President Tim McCarthy, Stephen A. Smith, Judge Judy Sheindlin; Mark Lazarus; BFOA Chair Scott Herman; and Ernest A. Liebre [Photo Credit: Ricardi Media]
