Hall of Fame Awards
Each year, the LPTVBA honors members of the broadcasting community who contribute to the advancement of LPTV stations, and who exemplify the highest standards LPTV broadcasters have to offer.
These awards are dedicated to the late great Mike Gravino. A champion of LPTV throughout his illustrious career, most notably securing 150 million dollar spectrum repack fund for local broadcasters. He would go on the start the LPTV Spectrum Coalition, with the goal of leveling the playing field for local broadcasters. He serves as the inspiration for our association, and his enthusiasm for local power TV will continue to be felt for generations to come.
2026 Awards
Dr. Bryon St. Claire
Dr. Bryon St. Claire (November 13, 1924 – May 20, 2018) was a pioneering broadcast engineer, telecommunications consultant, and longtime advocate for free over-the-air television. As President Emeritus of the National Translator Association, he spent nearly two decades championing universal television access and working closely with policymakers in Washington, D.C. He pioneered the development of mountain-top TV translators, technology that greatly expanded television service to rural America.
A founder of EMCEE and later president of Television Technology Corp. (later Larcan-TTC, Inc.) in Colorado, St. Clair became one of the leading innovators and suppliers in the TV translator industry. Beginning in the late 1970s, he also served as an advisor to the FCC’s Low Power Television Task Force, helping shape the rules that led to the creation and growth of the LPTV service in 1982.
St. Clair held degrees from Columbia University and Syracuse University, including a Ph.D. in Physics, and was widely respected for combining technical expertise, manufacturing leadership, and advocacy for rural broadcasting. In recognition of his lifetime contributions, he received the IEEE Jules Cohen Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Susan Hansen
For decades, Susan Hansen has been one of the most respected RF engineers in the translator and low power television industry. Her engineering work has supported thousands of television stations across the United States through channel planning, FCC filings, interference studies, construction permits, facility modifications, and technical consulting services that have helped broadcasters continue serving communities large and small.
Throughout her career, Susan has been known not only for her technical expertise, but also for her professionalism, integrity, and willingness to assist fellow broadcasters and engineers. Many station owners, engineers, and industry leaders have relied on her knowledge and guidance through some of the industry’s most significant technical and regulatory transitions.
Susan also continued the spirit of service exemplified by her father, remaining a longtime supporter of translator and low power television broadcasters and the organizations that advocate for them.
In recognition of her lifetime of service, leadership, engineering excellence, and dedication to the translator and low power television industry, Susan Hansen was presented with the Mike Gravino Hall of Fame Award.
The presentation served as a powerful reminder that while pioneers help establish an industry, their legacy continues through those who faithfully carry the work forward for future generations.
Thank you for the Mike Gravino Hall of Fame Award. I was surprised by Jeff Winemiller after he presented the award given to my father, Byron St. Clair, at the NTA banquet. I am dedicated to continuing his legacy and supporting television translators and LPTV operations nationwide. My father's friends have become my own, and I actively work to preserve over-the-air television and advocate for the FCC to protect broadcast spectrum for the public good. I am truly honored for the recognition.
Thank you, Susan Hansen
May 13, 2026
Scott Centers
Scott Centers, CEO of Center Point Broadcasting and a veteran of over two decades in broadcast television engineering and operations, was honored with a Mike Gravino LPTVBA Hall of Fame Award at the 2026 LPTVBA Annual Meeting at NAB. With over two decades of industry experience in Broadcast Television Engineering and Operations, CEO Scott Centers is a leading expert in the field. The veteran broadcaster has forged a solid career managing, operating, and building out broadcast television facilities throughout the continental United States, in addition to Alaska and Hawaii.
Prior to establishing Center Point Broadcasting, Centers served as the Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Operations and Engineering, and General Manager for various companies, most recently Coastal Television, LLC. During his past tenure, Centers was responsible for the buildout and development of 12 stations within Alaska and 22 stations within Wyoming.
Center Point Broadcasting’s CEO now serves as the Vice President of NewsNet’s Broadcast Division at Bridge News. Prior to this, Centers provided the Due Diligence for a group purchase of Way Point Media, a 12 station deal valued at over $35-million-dollars.
Centers acts as an Executive Board Member for The Low Power Television Broadcaster’s Association, the nation’s leading low power television association, representing over 200 industry owners and members, and is a member of The National Translator Association and Advanced Television Broadcasting Alliance. Scott Centers is also a proud U.S. Military Veteran, having served our country for 20 years.
Frank “SuperFrank” Copsidas
A special Mike Gravino LPTVBA Hall of Fame Award presented to Frank “SuperFrank” Copsidas, Founder and President of LPTV Broadcasters Association. He established this organization to continue to build on the legacy of Mike Gravino and work of the LPTV Spectrum Rights/Next Gen TV Coalition.
Copsidas is a broadcast entrepreneur, technology innovator, and industry advocate. A longtime champion of Low Power Television, Copsidas has become one of the industry’s most visible voices, working to unite broadcasters, engineers, technology leaders, and policymakers in advancing the future of free over-the-air television.
Known throughout the industry as “SuperFrank,” Copsidas has helped elevate the national profile of LPTV stations by advocating for spectrum opportunities, next-generation broadcasting technologies, and innovative business models for local broadcasters. Through the creation of the LPTV Broadcasters Association, he established a national platform dedicated to protecting and growing the interests of Class A, translator, and independent television stations while fostering collaboration across the broadcast industry.
Copsidas has also been at the forefront of emerging technologies, including ATSC 3.0 and 5G Broadcast testing, helping position LPTV stations as potential leaders in mobile video delivery, datacasting, and next-generation spectrum use. As CEO of XGen Network and Intrigue TV, he has spearheaded experimental broadcast initiatives designed to expand the role of local television in the digital era.
Under his leadership, the LPTV Broadcasters Association has grown into an influential voice within the broadcasting community, hosting major industry gatherings at NAB Show, organizing educational webinars and technical discussions, and building stronger relationships between broadcasters, manufacturers, and regulators. His vision continues to push the LPTV industry toward innovation while preserving its essential mission of serving local communities with free television access.
2025 Awards
Barbara Kreisman
Barbara Kreisman’s career at the FCC spans several eras of telecommunications regulation. At the time she joined the commission, in 1972 as a trial attorney in the hearings division, it had a reputation in the industry as a heavy-handed regulator that routinely used the threat of license-renewal hearings to advance its programming and ownership policies. Today, the FCC’s focus has shifted toward creating new services and trying to stay out of the way.
She was named head of the newly created low-power–TV branch when the FCC authorized those new stations for areas in which full-power outlets would create interference with existing stations. ”My job was to get this service up and running at a time when we had more than a thousand applications and no rules,” she says. Today, there are 2,000+ LPTVs.
As chief of the Mass Media Bureau’s Policy and Rules Division in the mid ‘80s, she helped sort through the 7,000 applications to launch a multipoint, multichannel distribution service and a nearly equal number of petitions to deny those licenses.
“My favorite thing to do,” she says, “is inherit a whole big mess of applications and figure out a way to launch a new service.”
As Chief of the Media Bureau, Video Division at the FCC Barbara is known to virtually all of us!
Dan Viles
Dan Viles was born in Waltham Mass, he attended Emerson College and U Mass Amherst plus a spell at the University of Maryland – Overseas Division. Enlisted in the USAF in 1968 and spent 36 months in West Germany. He got marries in 1969 in the Netherlands and has lived in Red Hook since 1998. He continued in the Reserves/National Guard from 1971 – 1998.
Dan started in radio and TV time sales in 1978 - AM and FM and then TV and became a seasoned media executive with extensive experience in designing, launching, and promoting television and radio stations. As the President and General Manager of WYBN TV 14 and Cable Ad Net New York, Inc., he has significantly contributed to broadcasting in New York’s Capital Region and the Catskills.
In 2011, Viles initiated WYBN Channel 14, originally broadcasting from Windham Mountain. The station offers a diverse digital lineup of eight channels, including Brother TV, Cozi, Action Sports, and RetroTV. In September 2018, WYBN relocated to the Helderberg Mountains near Albany, enhancing its signal reach.
After over a decade of leadership, Viles announced his retirement in January 2025 and sold WYBN TV 14. At 78, concluding his active role in the company’s operations he expressed a desire to “smell the roses,” and spend time with his grand daughters and his ever-patient wife Ine.
Ron Bruno
Ron Bruno is the founder and President of The Videohouse, a premier full-service media production company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In September 1988, at a young age, Ron started The Videohouse in his basement, driven by a passion for creating engaging videos. Over the years, the company has evolved, embracing technological advancements and expanding its capabilities to meet diverse client needs.
Under Ron’s leadership, The Videohouse has collaborated with major national and international networks, including the BBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, Discovery, National Geographic, German TV, and ESPN. The company has also been involved in various levels of production for movies, reality shows, documentaries, and episodic TV shows filmed in and around Pittsburgh.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Ron has contributed to the community by documenting local history. The Ron Bruno Videotapes collection, housed at the University of Pittsburgh, contains 70 professionally shot 3/4” videotapes of the Pittsburgh region taken between 1970 and 1990, primarily used for historical documentation. In his personal life, Ron is an avid collector of electronics, holding onto items like his first Commodore computer. He maintains a youthful spirit, embracing the latest trends in creativity and technology.
2024 Awards
Peter Tannenwald
Peter Tannenwald has dedicated more than 40 years to the world of broadcast law with a particular passion for low-power television (LPTV). He's been a strong advocate for LPTV stations, and played a key role in the creation of the Class A television service. Notably, he was present when the Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999 was signed into law by President Clinton
2023 Awards
Bill Barrow
Bill is one of the most trusted names in broadcasting. Having served in the industry for over 45 years, he is an expert in television broadcasting manufacturing and other television engineering services. He is currently the President of Pro Service Inc. A company that specializes in television transmitter manufacturing, sales, and installation.
Perry Priestly
Perry is a landmark in the broadcast industry. He is considered a top salesman with strong engineering talents. He is currently the Chief Sales Officer for Broadcast Electronics, who are one of the largest broadcast equipment manufacturers in the world, and are leading the charge in software solutions for radio broadcasters such as, automation playout systems, and datacasting.
Jeff Winemiller
Jeff has been serving the broadcast community for over 40 years. He is a creative technologist, entrepreneur, and has formed lasting relationships with key broadcast clients. He established Lowcounty 34 Media Inc. Along with being one of the original owners of an RF company that was purchased by Vitec, he now currently runs a communications company, Wave Central, that offers cost-effective advertising and innovative programming.