2014 Distinguished Virginian Award

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1 CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (June 23, 2014) - The Virginia Association of Broadcasters awarded six outstanding Virginia citizens on June 20 for their contributions to broadcasting and the Commonwealth. Recipients were presented with the awards following the 77th Annual Summer Convention Awards Banquet held at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. The presentation preceded the Annual Virginia Broadcast Awards, which recognizes excellence in broadcasting at member television and radio stations (please see separate release) Distinguished Virginian Award Bruce Smith is a former American football defensive end for the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was a member of the Buffalo

2 Bills teams that played in four consecutive Super Bowls as AFC champions. The holder of the NFL career record for quarterback sacks, Smith was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, his first year of eligibility. Smith is a native of Norfolk, Virginia, where he graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. Following an all-state high school career, Smith accepted an athletic scholarship to Virginia Tech. Known as "The Sack Man" (both on and off the field) of Virginia Tech football, Smith finished his college career in 1984 as the most honored player in Hokie history. Smith was named Miller Lite/NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year and the MVP of the Pro Bowl in '87. A scholarship was established in Bruce's name from Booker T. Washington to help fund students attending Virginia Tech. Smith also is known for his philanthropic efforts and has served on a number of boards including the St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Operation Smile and was appointed by Gov. Mark Warner to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. He participated in a medical mission in Africa in 1999 during Operation Smile's World Journey of Hope, a nine-week surgical mission in which 5,300 children from 18 countries received free reconstructive surgery. He was presented with Operation Smile's distinguished Universal Smile Award. Bruce has also volunteered for the USO. The formal NFL star spent his Christmas and New Year in 2009 in Kuwait and Iraq visiting the American troops. Smith lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Having returned to his home state, Smith works as a real estate developer, undertaking many projects with Armada Hoffler. The Distinguished Virginian Award honors those who, by their own actions, have contributed substantially to the wellbeing of the Commonwealth, its citizens, or the broadcast industry. Recipients have spent a majority of their life in Virginia, and command the respect of broadcasters and the general public.

3 2014 C.T. Lucy Distinguished Service Award Charlie Russell began working at WESR in He became the general manager in 1987 succeeding his uncle the late C. Brooks Russell.

4 Charlie is currently a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the Virginia Association of Broadcasters serving as Secretary/Treasurer. He is also a 10 year member of the International Broadcasters Idea Bank, a fraternity/sorority of 100 successful small market broadcasters. He is also former president of the Accomack Kiwanis Club and a current active member of the Onancock Rotary Club. He also serves as chairman of the Pastor of Parish committee and the Board of Trustees for Hallwood Methodist Church. Charlie is a 1972 graduate of Virginia Wesleyan College. Charlie, along with his brother have owned and operated Russell Marina Inc. since He was also a partner in the former East Pointe Associates, a small real estate development company. In 1993 Charlie was honored by the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce as Small Businessman of the Year and in 2013 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Chamber of Commerce. Named for the founder of the VAB, the C.T. Lucy Distinguished Service Award honors a broadcaster who spent a significant part of his or her career at one or more Virginia broadcast properties and who has become a leader in the state's broadcast industry Broadcast Advertising Hall of Fame Award Jean Mahon joined Hall Automotive as Marketing Director in January Prior to Hall Automotive, she worked for the Virginian Pilot as an advertising representative for some of the area's largest automotive dealers: Checkered Flag, Charles Barker and of course, Hall Automotive. Jean is a graduate of "the school of hard knocks". College was not in her plans, but she

5 had incredible work ethic (thank you to her mom and dad). She knew to arrive to work earlier than expected and do what it took to succeed. Jean is a local girl, born and raised in Norfolk, calling Virginia Beach home for over 30 years. She is a 1980 graduate of Norview High School. Very quick to move into sales after high school, she has had the privilege to work for leaders that helped guide her ultimate career path... advertising. With a passion for cars, automotive advertising was a fantastic fit. The Broadcast Advertising Hall of Fame Award recognizes a Virginia Ad Man, Ad Woman or direct advertiser whose leadership, creative contributions and support of broadcast advertising helped lead to their success. Nominations for the Advertising Hall of Fame Award should include a brief description of why your nominee deserves this award.

6 e A. Bowles, Jr. Broadcast Journalism Award Upon graduating from Ohio University with a BS degree in Radio-Television, Joe Flanagan took a job in weather and sales at WTAP-TV in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 1974 he moved to Youngstown, Ohio and took a job at WYTV as a weathercaster Monday through Friday.

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