Jim Rogers receives lifetime award from broadcasters

The Nevada Broadcasters Association had its 2010 Hall of Fame Scholarship Gala on Aug. 29 at the Red Rock Resort, which recognized individuals who have excelled in Nevada's radio and television industry.

Receiving the group's Lifetime Achievement Award was Jim Rogers, chairman emeritus for the Nevada System of Higher Education and owner of Sunbelt Communications, which operates 16 television affiliates in five states.

More than 500 guests attended the gala and proceeds from both a silent and live auction will be used to fund scholarships in the name of Linda and Tony Bonnici for students attending college studying broadcasting. Anchor Jim Snyder of KSNV-TV, Channel 3 emceed the event. Greg Bortolin delivered a tribute to the late former Gov. Kenny Guinn before the presentation of colors and posting by the Nevada Army and Air Guard.

Knudson Middle School eighth-grader LeAyer Dante sang the national anthem and U.S. Sen. Harry Reid spoke about Rogers and their association as neighbors as they raised their children in the '60s and '70s in Las Vegas.

Video greetings were delivered by U.S. Sen. John Ensign and NBC newscaster Brian Williams, and U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley was present to greet Rogers. Thom Porterfield, Nevada Broadcasters Association chairman, and Chris Ornelas, National Association of Broadcasters executive vice president, spoke about the local organization's strategic planning.

Following dinner, the 15th Annual Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Awards were presented to inductees Colleen Andring, Bryant Blackburn, Gerrie Blake, Todd Brown, Mike Boucher, Brett Cavanaugh, Paula Coleman, Janelle Collard, Dale W. Davidson, Nancy Gardner, Lee Ann Green, Don Groth, Laurie Anderson Groth, Kareem Hatcher, Christine Hernandez, John Huck, JoAnn Kittrell, Reginald LaFrance, Jon Lindquist, Chris E. Maathuis, Dave Martin, Panama, Terri Lynn Peck, Thom Porterfield, Gerard Ramalho, Dave Santina, Brian Scott Siegel, Jack Sutton, Jeff Taylor, Dennis Todd, John Turner and Gary Williams.

Ralph Toddre, president and chief operating officer of Sunbelt Communications made the formal introduction of Rogers. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Robert D. Fisher, Nevada Broadcasters Association president and chief executive officer, Adam Sandler, association vice president and state Sen. Valerie Wiener, daughter of the late Louis Wiener, a business partner and mentor to Rogers.

Rogers was honored for his 40 years in broadcasting, and for his philanthropic work and dedication to education. His wife, Beverly, was also an inductee into 2010 Hall of Fame.

B. Taylor and his Band entertained. Special guests included Hugh O'Brian (TV's Wyatt Earp) and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.