2023 VAB Hall of Fame & Awards Gala Recap

Watch The Recording of the 2023 VAB Hall of Fame & Awards Gala

Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, members of the Vermont Association of Broadcasters celebrated 100 years of broadcasting in Vermont during the VAB Hall of Fame & Awards Gala 28th Anniversary at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington! 222 guests enjoyed a spectacular night of eating, drinking, socializing and celebrating.

After dinner, attendees heard from Rep. Becca Balint and Senator Peter Welch via recorded videos they provided to congratulate us on 100 years of broadcasting in Vermont. Govenor Phil Scott, who wanted to be there in person but couldn’t be, introduced a video retrospective on the career of VAB Hall of Famer Ken Squier who passed away in November at the age of 88.

The VAB Board of Directors presented NAB President & CEO Curtis LeGeyt with the rare “Friends of Broadcasters” award.

Former recipients of the Alan Noyes Community Service Award introduced this year’s winner, Hall Communications Radio Group. The award was accepted by Dan Dubonnet as well as Gary, Cindy and Zach Cousino for their work helping to raise $41,000 for the Brendon P. Cousino Med47 Foundation.

The VAB gave two deserving young broadcasters the Rising Star award. The first award was presented by Former Rising Star award winner Liz Strzepa and NBC5 News Director Michael LaFlesh to NBC5 Executive Producer Molly Ormsbee. The second award was presented by former Rising Star award winner Dom Amato and Chief Meteorologist Gary Sadowsky to WCAX Meteorologist Jess Langlois.

The Snyder-Teffner award, which recognizes excellence behind the scenes in a support role, was awarded to broadcast engineer Larry Page. The award was introduced by former Snyder-Teffner award winner and Chief Technology Officer at Vermont Public Joe Tymecki along with NBC 5 Chief Engineer Erik Pedtke.

It was a real treat to have five former recipients of the VAB Distinguished Service award in attendance; Bob Sherman, Stewart Ledbetter, Thom Richards, Ginny McGehee and Tim Johnson, and all five introduced this year’s award winner, WGMT-FM Program Director and Air Personality Jeff Garfield!

Former recipients of the Broadcaster of the Year award Rod Hill and representing WFFF-TV & WVNY-TV, VP/GM, Alex Von Lichtenberg introduced this year’s winner, Vox AM/FM/Digital. The award was accepted by Director of Operations/Station Manager John Mullett to recognize the outstanding contributions by their stations during the flooding in July.