Governor Spotlight: Science & Technology

Briefly describe what you do.

I spent 45 years working for CBS, most recently as senior vice president and general manager of CBS Television City. Although I am semi-retired, I still engage in consulting and teaching.

What motivated you to become a governor? 

I was concerned that the sciences were not represented adequately within the Academy. Therefore, I founded the Science & Technology peer group several years ago, and this is my second term as co-governor.

What are some of your proudest accomplishments or credits? 

I was head of operations for CBS's coverage of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway, which was named the most-watched event in TV history. It was also my honor to serve as general manager of the CBS studio complex known as CBS Television City for 14 years. I have been involved in technology development throughout my career. I have given speeches worldwide promoting new technologies and production workflows.

How do you stay informed about emerging trends and developments within your field, and how has that helped support your peer group? 

There is always a good exchange of trends and developments within the Science & Technology peer group. In addition, I co-chair the Engineering, Science & Technology Emmy Awards Committee. This committee investigates and evaluates new technology Emmy submissions and determines the impact these new technologies have had on the TV production industry. Serving on this committee is a great way to stay informed.

What do you hope to accomplish for your peer group as a governor? 

From its inception, our peer group has offered to be a resource for technology to other peer groups. An example would be our peer group’s creation of the AI Task Force, which provided information and education and organized two AI Summits, which were available to all peer groups.

As a governor, I think it is imperative that we ensure that there is value to being a member of the Academy and of the Science & Technology peer group. This guides our efforts to recruit more new members.

What do you like most about being a governor at the Television Academy?  

It has been an absolute pleasure meeting the governors of the various other peer groups, including Performers, Sound Mixing, Stunts and Emerging Media, just to name a few. I have learned a great deal from my fellow governors!

Briefly describe what you do.

I run an entertainment technology consulting service providing strategic board guidance for entities focused on nascent technologies and emerging ecosystems.

What motivated you to become a governor? 

I’ve been involved in the Engineering Awards Committee for many years, including serving as its chair. When the Science & Technology peer group was finally created, I felt I could play a meaningful role in helping the Academy establish this peer group and expand its membership by identifying individuals whose work aligns with our subject area — extending beyond those already involved with the Engineering Awards

What are some of your proudest accomplishments or credits? 

With respect to my career:

• Helping the transition from hand-drawn animation on paper and hand-painted cels on acetate, to digital systems, which now account for the vast majority of animation programs.

• Helping the transition from 4:3 to HDTV, as well as the delivery of TV content from only over-the-air to access from satellite/cable/disks/streaming.

With respect to the Academy:

• Launching the temporary AI Task Force to help Academy members become acquainted with AI and to educate members on how the tools will impact their work.

How do you stay informed about emerging trends and developments within your field, and how has that helped support your peer group? 

Daily reading, attending conferences such as the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) Tech Retreat, CineGear, NAB and SigGraph. Then I share that information in discussions at networking events or at the Television Academy’s Peer Circles.

What do you hope to accomplish for your peer group as a governor? 

For my peer group, I'd like this to be a gathering/networking place where we can discuss emerging technology trends, support each other in our career growth and recognize our individual accomplishments via the awards program. For other peer groups, we want to spread our knowledge on how to use new technologies to improve the work accomplished by those groups.

What do you like most about being a governor at the Television Academy? 

What I have most enjoyed so far has been to better understand the concerns of other peer groups given their current challenges in making television content, some of which I've not frequently interfaced with in the past.

Anything you would like to add? 

I think Maury McIntyre and the staff leadership do an outstanding job of educating the governors on their roles and making them comfortable at the start of the year so that they can operate effectively as a group throughout the year. That is really hard with a group this large.  As a result, the board meetings are fun, enjoyable and not intimidating.