STLMHF

Ted Koplar – 2018

For decades Ted Koplar’s name was synonymous with KPLR-TV. In his early days with the station he helped develop their first local news broadcasts and produced other local programming. In 1979 he became the station’s president/CEO. He founded World Events Productions in 1980, helped form the sanctioning body and cleared Kickboxing nationally. World Events won many awards for its production of Voltron as well as Denver the Dinosaur. Both shows went global. In TV’s technical end, he is credited with development of a digital system “Veil” that aids advertisers in the verification of airing of commercials. In the community he served as a member and chairman of the Nine Network board of directors, a member of the foundation board at Barnes Jewish Hospital and an advisor for Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Spencer Koch – 2018

His first position at KTVI in 1995 was Vice President and General Manager. He was later elevated to President and oversaw the merge of operations of the station with KPLR. From a viewing perspective, one of his greatest accomplishments was a major emphasis on local news on both stations, a move which yielded increases in viewership, community service and station revenues. His involvement in the Heat Up/Cool Down St. Louis effort helped the charity raise significant donations to fund its operations. He was named the Variety Club Man of the Year in 2019. Koch was also active in the local chapter of NATAS, the Missouri Broadcasters’ Association and Fox TV Affiliates’ Association.

Al Wiman – 2017

Al Wiman began his St. Louis TV career in 1974, joining KMOX-TV (later KMOV) as an investigative reporter. A few years later his professional focus turned to medical news where he was one of the first journalists in the nation to focus on the AIDS/HIV epidemic. Al’s medical reports yielded numerous local and national awards, including three local Emmys, the G. Duncan Bauman Award for Health Reporting, and honors from the National Cancer Society, Kidney Foundation and Missouri Public Health Association. He was honored twice by the Aviation and Space Writers’ Association for his work in the NASA Journalist in Space project.

Deanne Lane – 2017

Deanne Lane is an Emmy Award winning journalist who worked for KSDK for over 24 years. As a reporter and news anchor she covered numerous major events, including the Columbine shooting, Oklahoma City bombing and hurricane Katrina. Known for conducting in-depth interviews, she was recognized for her series on the homeless in St. Louis, during which she lived among them on the streets of the city for five days. She was very active in community service, volunteering her time for the St. Louis Area Food Bank, Red Cross, St. Louis Effort for AIDS and the Special Olympics.

Jim Kirchherr – 2017

Jim Kirchherr began his career in St. Louis television on election night, 1978, embarking on a career of video storytelling in St. Louis that spanned several decades. He spent four years as a producer/reporter for KTVI, then left the market briefly for a job at Radio Free Europe in Munich. When he returned he settled in at KETC and rose to the position of the station’s Senior Director of Content. He received numerous awards for his work there on public affairs programs and on “Living St. Louis.” He was a William Benton Fellow at the University of Chicago, where he taught broadcast journalism in the early ‘80s, and has served the local chapter of the National Association of TV Arts and Sciences in many capacities.

Henry Hampton – 2017

Henry Hampton is a St. Louis native whose prominence came in recognition of his documentary work. One, in particular, was said by critics to be “the definitive look at the nation’s early struggle over civil rights.” It was Hampton’s 1987 production, “Eyes on the Prize,” which received four national Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award for excellence in journalism. His follow-up three years later, “Eyes on the Prize II,” won two Emmys. He was recognized in 1990 by President George Bush for his documentary work.