Mission Statement
We are the Emmy® People. Setting The Gold Standard while Celebrating Innovation and Integrity across all platforms of visual media... Dedicated to Advancing Careers and Promoting Educational Opportunities in Mid-America for the next Generation.
The Mid-America chapter was chartered in 1962 and began honoring outstanding achievement in this region with local Emmy® Awards in 1976. The Mid-America chapter includes the television markets primarily in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois and surrounding DMAs:
St. Louis, Kansas City, Little Rock, Springfield (MO), St. Joseph, Columbia-Jefferson City, Joplin-Pittsburg, Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk, Ottumwa-Kirksville, Davenport-Rock Island-Moline, Paducah-Cape Girardeau-Harrisburg, Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Fort Smith-Fayettville-Springdale-Rogers, Jonesboro, Monroe-Eldorado and Shreveport (LA).
NATAS Mid-America is one of 19 regional chapters of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, headquartered in New York City. Not sure which chapter you belong? Use this zip code finder to locate your chapter.
One way to get involved with your regional chapter is to get active. Join a committee, make it a point to know your regional board representative and keep in contact with our Administrative office. Your participation helps keep the chapter strong.
Annual highlights include the Mid-America Emmy® Awards, the Silver Circle Awards, College and High School Student Awards for Excellence, and various educational, as well as social events, throughout the year.
Mid-America Region
Contact
Maggie Eubanks
3655 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108
314-533-2993 office<br
maggie@emmymid-america.org
Board of Governors
Mid-America members are represented by the elected Board of Governors comprised of professionals engaged in a broad spectrum of media, from markets across our region. See who represents you.
President
Chad Mahoney
Vice-President
Jayne Ruben
Secretary Chapter Representative
Immediate
Past-President
Awards, Vice President
Aaron Garrett
Treasurer
Jim Kirchherr
Past-President
Chapter Representative
Education Committee
Sheila Condon Rice
Awards Co-Chair
Anne Hughes
Education Committee
Digital Engagement
Co-Chair
Dr. Deborah L. Larson
Education Co-Chair
Andy Likes
Digital Engagement
Co-Chair
Governor Emeritus
Jeimmie Nevalga
Gala Committee
Carly McKinnis
Education Co-Chair
Tom Rogers
Show Producer
Bill Smith
Digital Engagement
Sonseeahray Tonsall
Gala Committee
Shirley Washington
Education Committee
Angie Weidinger
Past-President, Gala Committee
Maggie Eubanks
Executive Director
Chapter Representative
Mission
The mission of NATAS Mid-America Foundation is to provide scholarships to deserving high school and college students who are studying or intend to study journalism, broadcast television, television production and communications.
The Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS)-Mid-America Chapter, Inc. and is a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The future of our profession rests in the education and preparation of media and journalism students.
The chapter is committed to awarding up to $10,000 in annual scholarships to qualified students from the region.
Recent scholarship recipients have gone on to win regionally Emmy® Awards in the markets in which they now work.
Donate
Scholarship awards depend on donations. The Foundation accepts donations from individuals and/or corporations on an ongoing basis.
By Mail:
To make a scholarship fund donation by check, made out to NATAS Mid-America Foundation, please mail to:
NATAS Mid-America Foundation
3655 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108
Upon receipt, an acknowledgement letter of the donation will be mailed to the donor. Contributions are tax deductible.
History
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was founded in 1955. It is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News, Sports, Daytime, Public Service and Technology.
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering, and Business & Financial Reporting. Regional Emmy® Awards are given in 19 regions across the United States. NATAS also presents the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Global Media Awards™ which recognizes excellence in the world-wide intersection of digital entertainment and technology. Emmy® Awards given out for primetime programming are presented by our sister organization, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional Student Television Awards for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public.
Copyright and Trademark
EMMY® NAME AND EMMY® STATUETTE POLICIES
The Emmy® name and the Emmy® statuette are the trademarked property of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“NATAS”) and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“ATAS”). Additionally, the Emmy® name, logo and statuette are licensed to the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“International Academy”) for International Emmys®.
- Emmy® honorees or those congratulating them may at any time refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that the honoree has received an Emmy® award and may for one (1) year after an award is made, use a replica of the statuette in advertising and publicity which appears in print, by broadcast or over the Internet.
- During each year Emmy® nominees or those congratulating them may refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that the nominee has been nominated and, provided that such nominees are clearly identified as such, may during the period from the announcement of nominations until the following awards presentation use a replica of the statuette subject to the requirements set forth below.
- Broadcasters, cable services and Internet sites may use the Emmy® name and statuette in connection with promotional announcements for programs or broadcasters (or the like) which in fact have been awarded an Emmy® as long as it is done within one (1) year after the awarded has been awarded and not thereafter.
- Subject to obtaining specific authorization from the chief operating officer of the appropriate Academy (i.e. the NATAS for Daytime Emmy®, Sports, News & Documentary, and Technology & Engineering Emmy® presentations and other regional Emmy® presentations and ATAS for Prime Time Emmy® and Los Angeles Area Emmy® presentations), sponsors of Emmy® Awards presentation may use a copy of the Emmy® statuette and the Emmy® name in advertising provided that (i) the advertising occurs at or near the time of the presentation of the Awards show and (ii) advertising makes specific reference to such sponsorship of the show. No other commercial use of the Emmy® name or statuette is permitted.
- In the case of DVDs, videos and electronic productions, Emmy® honorees and/or producers of Emmy®-honored programs may reference the fact of their receiving an Emmy®; however the statuette may not be used unless it is capable of being removed from all copies or transmissions within one year after the award is granted.
- Whenever the statuette is used it should appear facing left and must be accompanied by ® at its base (denoting trademark protection). The word “Emmy” is also trademarked and whenever possible its use should appear as follows: “Emmy®“. Any deviation from these instructions must be pre-approved. A copyright notice for the statuette is no longer mandatory, but when used should read “©ATAS/NATAS”.
The Academies have adopted the following rules concerning use of clips from their respective Emmy® awards presentations:
- Use of Excerpts from Emmy® Award Presentations in News Programming and Similar Programming:
Audio and audiovisual excerpts from Emmy® Award presentations may be used in news broadcasts (Including Internet transmissions) about these events which occur within two (2) days from the time the presentations are initially presented, except that excerpts may be used in week-end-type news shows during the weekend following the initial presentation. Exceptions to the two (2) day limit must be approved in writing by the chief operating officers of the applicable Academy. In the case of news reports in foreign countries, excerpts may be used during a reasonable period (to be approved by the chief operating officer of the Academy involved) following the presentation or the first broadcast of the event in the foreign territory, if later. In addition to uses described above, and, subject to clearance as outlined below, the policies governing use of excerpts for other news purposes are as follows:
- Excerpts may be used in current news stories which relate to a recipient of an award, e.g. a current news story regarding a recipient (such as a death or marriage);
- Excerpts may be used in retrospectives and similar programs and documentaries dealing with the career or history of recipients;
- Excerpts may be used in another awards show.
- Use of Excerpts in Entertainment and Other Programming:
Excerpts of the presentation of an award may be used in a promotional announcement for a period of one (1) year following the granting of the award, provided that the primary purpose of the promotional announcement is to congratulate the program or individual so honored:
- Excerpts of Emmy® Award presentations may be used in DVDs, videos and Internet uses of both pre-existing productions and of new productions provided that the primary purpose of the use is to honor the awardee (e.g. a DVD containing a year’s series of a show that received an Emmy®). Additionally, with authorization from the appropriate Academy, excerpts may be shown at non-broadcast public events (e.g. a dinner) provided the primary purpose of use of the excerpt is to honor the individual or program honoree who/that is the subject of the excerpt.
- Excerpts may be made available to individual and program Emmy® honorees for personal and Internet use. In the case of Internet use, excerpts may be furnished digitally, or when possible, from a hosted site whereby the excerpt may be embedded. In any case, the digital excerpts shall be non-broadcast and not capable of redistribution or download. Internet license is limited to one hosted source, embedding can be enabled, but all other forms of redistribution including downloading are not allowed.
- In all cases, the user of the excerpt must assume (and will be deemed to have assumed) all clearance obligations, i.e. clearance of individuals (other than uses in current news shows), union clearances and music clearances.
- Use of Excerpts in Commercials. Except as provided above for promotional announcements, excerpts from an Emmy® awards presentation may not be used in commercial advertising.
Although the Academies will permit certain uses of the Emmy® name and statuette in other contexts, the unrestricted use of the same violates both the value and stature of the Emmy® and may serve to dilute the marks. Therefore the following uses, although permitted under some circumstances, always require prior express written authorization from the chief operating officer of the Academy from which authorization is sought:
- Use of Emmy® Statuette or Certificate as a Prop in a Production. If authorized, the Emmy® statuette or a replica of a nomination certificate may be used as a prop in a production provided that (i) the use is in no way derogatory to the Emmy®, (ii) the use is incidental to the primary story of the production, and (iii) the script and other detail regarding the use has been submitted as a precondition to the Academy’s consideration of its authorization.
- Use of Emmy® Replicas; Re-Creations of Emmy® Awards Presentations. Requests for use of replicas of the Emmy® and requests to recreate or simulate an Emmy® Awards presentation must be submitted to the Academy from whom authorization is sought; each request will be considered by the chief operating officer (in consultation with counsel); in cases where authorization is denied, the applicant may request re-consideration by the Executive Committee of the Academy from which authorization is sought.
- Use of Emmy® Name or Statuette in Published Works, Websites, and the Like.
- If approved, the Emmy® name and/or statuette may be used in connection with printed works, websites and the like, provided that the work is of an educational or informational nature and the reference to the Emmy® name or statuette is non-derogatory and is reasonably related to the purpose of the work.
- With prior approval, Emmy® honorees may from time to time use pictures of themselves receiving the Emmy® statuette or otherwise holding the Emmy® statuette in personal resumes and the like. Pictures of Emmy® winners receiving their Emmy<®sup></s statuettes or otherwise holding the Emmy<su®p> statuette may also be used in printed materials and websites and the like featuring biographical material about such honorees, provided that the use is reasonably related to the biographical material.
- With prior approval, the Emmy® name, logo and/or statuette may be used on DVDs or similar productions that include programs that have received a program category Emmy® award, indicating that the program has been so honored. Except in unusual cases, as determined by the appropriate Academy, approval for such uses for programs for which individual achievements (but not program category awards) were given will not be allowed.
- Uses on Stationery, Business Cards, and the like: Nothing shall preclude an individual or entity from stating the fact that such individual or entity is an Emmy® honoree on their/its stationery or business card, provided that neither the Emmy® logo nor the statuette is used in connection with such factual statement, it being understood that any such use of the logo or the statuette is specifically prohibited.
- Use of Emmy® Name or Statuette in Merchandising Prohibited: The Emmy® name and/or statuette may not be used on commercial products or in connection with any merchandising items except with prior approval of the Boards of the Academies. This restriction does not apply to branded merchandising given away at an event with an Academy’s approval, e.g. an Emmy® name or logo on a give-away gift.
These provisions apply to NATAS; readers should contact each of the other Academies to determine their applicable rules as to sponsor identification and Emmy® show activities
- Consistent with the Trademark policy prohibiting use of the Emmy® name and logo for advertising and merchandising, the following applies to corporate sponsorship partners of NATAS:
- Sponsorship partners may, clearly, identify themselves as associated with NATAS; however they may not use the Emmy® name and logo on their products or in advertising material unless specified in the sponsorship contract with NATAS. NATAS’ marketing department or chief operating officer must approve all graphics.
- Sponsorship partners that get tickets for a show/dinner may use them for employees and clients, but may not offer to re-sell them. Use of tickets for contests must be specifically approved by NATAS.
- The same rule applies to broadcasters of the shows or their affiliates.
NATAS President
Evening News Anchor
KMBC-TV
Kris Ketz
Kris serves as Executive Vice President and Chair of the Gold/Silver Circle Induction Committee for NATAS Mid-America. He also anchors the 5, 6 and 10pm weeknight newscasts on KMBC, the ABC affiliate in Kansas City where he's worked for 38 years as a reporter and anchor. Kris has earned NATAS Mid-America EMMY® awards for news anchoring and investigative reporting along with multiple nominations over the years. He was a 2012 inductee into the NATAS Mid-America Silver Circle which honors broadcast professionals who have served with distinction for 25 years or more.
A graduate of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa., Kris began his broadcasting career at age of 18 as a weekend news anchor for radio station WQUA in Moline, IL. In 1981 he broke into television at WQAD-TV where his father anchored the news for 35 years. Kris rose from weekend co-anchor/producer to weeknight co-anchor. A highlight of Kris' career was the chance to co-anchor a Father's Day edition of KMBC 9 News at 10 with his dad in 1998.
Kris' oldest son, Jonathan is also a reporter for WDAF-TV Fox 4 in Kansas City.
NATAS Immediate Past President
Evening News Anchor
KY3TV
Steve Grant
Storytelling is Steve Grant's passion and anchoring the news on KY3 (KYTV) has been his dream job, ever since his college days. His recognized leadership in broadcast journalism has garnered Mid-America EMMY® awards and nominations, as well as high honors from the Missouri Broadcasters Association and Kansas City Press Club (SPJ).
For his on-air work and public service, two universities awarded him honorary doctorates. He also is a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, and a 2020 inductee into the Springfield (MO) Public Schools' Hall of Fame.
Steve is a lifelong resident of the "Queen City of The Ozarks". He and Stephanie share their riverside home with a tiny Japanese Chin. He is the current President of NATAS Mid-America.
VP of Awards
Senior Director of Content, Nine Network
Anne-Marie Berger
Since joining Nine PBS in 2000, Anne-Marie Berger has helped create some of the station’s most popular programs, including the PBS documentary series Homeland Living St. Louis, and Donnybrook. Berger has led the content behind the national public media initiative, American Graduate, focusing on positive outcomes for our region’s young people and, through broadcast specials, has addressed issues such as the heroin epidemic, race, poverty, and health care.
Berger began her public media career at WYES-TV in New Orleans. She currently serves as the Vice-President of Awards for the Mid-America Emmy® Chapter, is a former trustee for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has worked as an adjunct professor for St. Louis Community College.
A St. Louis native, Berger graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Television Production from Loyola University in New Orleans, earned a master's degree in Media Communications from Webster University, and has received 13 Mid-America Emmys®.
NATAS Treasurer
Retired Broadcaster
Aaron Garrett
Aaron Garrett is a seasoned financial advisor with TBOM Private Client in Springfield, Missouri, where he provides comprehensive financial planning and investment guidance to individuals and businesses. He holds multiple professional designations — including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Master Practitioner of Adaptive Strategies (MPAS®), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) — and is registered to serve clients across several states. With years of experience helping clients navigate complex financial landscapes and make confident long-term decisions, Aaron brings disciplined financial insight and fiduciary responsibility to his role as Treasurer of the Mid-America Emmys® Board of Governors. His financial expertise supports the organization’s stewardship of resources and commitment to serving the regional media community.
Education Committee
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Ginger Blackstone
Dr. Ginger Blackstone is an Associate Professor at Harding University and News Director of the university's cable television station, HU16, where students produce a live weekday half-hour local newscast. She also freelances as a writer/producer at The Weather Channel in Atlanta, GA.
She received her Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Florida in 2016, her M.A. in Journalism from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock in 2011, and her B.A. in Radio/TV Broadcasting at Harding University in 1991. Her research interests are in the persuasive power of media, partisan bias and misinformation, and news acceptance/belief patterns of the public. In 2017, she was named a Fellow for the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication; and in 2017, her dissertation received the Kenneth Harwood Dissertation Award from the Broadcast Education Association.
Before her career in academe, Dr. Blackstone spent 19 years in broadcast and cable news, including 13 years at CNN and CNN Headline News as a supervising/executive producer and producer. Prior to that, she held various management, producer, and on-air positions in local TV news. Her professional awards include an Emmy for CNN's coverage of the 9/11 attacks, a Peabody for CNN's 2008 political coverage, another Peabody for the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster, a Columbia duPont Award for the 2004 South Asia Tsunami Disaster, a 2010 regional RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast, and a 2010 NATAS MidAmerica Emmy nomination for Best Newscast.
Digital Engagement
Co-Chair
Creative Director / jackson+appleton
Robin Jackson
Robin Jackson is the Creative Director and Co-Founder of jackson+appleton, a Branson-based Video Production Company. Producing & Directing commercials, corporate video, branded documentaries, and live TV shows/events, her work has been recognized with a regional Mid-America EMMY® Award, numerous ADDY Awards, Missouri Broadcasters Association Awards, Telly & Aurora Awards. In 2013, Robin was honored with the American Advertising Association of the Ozarks’ most prestigious award, The Silver Medalist, a lifetime achievement award for contributions to the world of advertising.
Before forming jackson+appleton in 2008, Robin served as Senior Producer and Production Manager for Branson’s Vacation Channel and TVC Productions for more than a decade.
Originally from Tennessee, Robin went to College in Missouri and never left. She holds a BS in Broadcasting and a BFA in Theatre from Stephens College. When she’s not working, which is rare, she’s directing a circus of furry friends (2 rescue dogs & 3 cats) and trying to make it to hot yoga.
Professional Development Committee
News Director/Anchor, KGKC Telemundo Kansas City
Gustavo Jaimes Hernandez
Gustavo Jaimes is a bilingual newsroom leader with more than a decade of experience in
Spanish-language journalism. He currently serves as News Director for Telemundo Kansas City and Telemundo St. Louis, where he leads editorial strategy and newsroom operations focused on serving Hispanic communities across the Mid-America region.
Originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, Gustavo began his journalism career while studying at the Universidad de Guadalajara, gaining early experience in print and broadcast media. He held editorial roles at Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM), the largest newspaper group in Mexico, and later worked in live television production at TV Azteca Jalisco, as well as onair radio at Radio Fórmula Guadalajara, building a strong foundation in reporting, editing, and live production.
After moving to the United States in 2014, Gustavo joined Telemundo Utah, where he advanced from intern to reporter, producer, multimedia journalist, and anchor. Today, he oversees the development and growth of local Spanish-language newscasts in Kansas City and St. Louis, bringing a cross-border perspective to storytelling, newsroom leadership, and audience engagement.
Education Chair
Missouri State University
Dr. Debra Larson
Dr Deborah L. Larson is a Professor and Department Head of the Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film at Missouri State University. Over the course of her 24 years at Missouri State, she has taught Media and Society, Media Analysis & Criticism, Women Directors, Women Characters in Film, Television Production, and Advanced Television Production. Currently she teaches the graduate classes Preproduction for Stage and Screen, and Staged Production for the department’s MFA in Dramatic Writing program. Her creative research interest utilizes Instructional Scaffolding as a pedagogical technique for capstone television productions. Her passion is helping students find their creative place in large multi-camera productions and their evaluative voices in analysis and criticism television and film classes. She loves working with students to be community engaged in production. She is also a strong proponent for diversity behind the scenes in production. Dr. Larson is a multiple-award winning Executive Producer and Showrunner for the broadcast series, Show-Me Chefs (4 seasons), and web series Co-Op (2 seasons), A Little Help (5 episodes), and Epilogue (6 episodes). (https://www.dlarsonmjf.com/). As the Departments of Communication, and Media, Journalism & Film merged in July ‘23 after being separated for over 20 years, she is currently focused on integrating our department cultures and encouraging positive synergy from our combined disciplines. On her downtime she relaxes by gardening, making hot sauce, traveling with her partner, and playing with her three cats.
Education Co-Chair
Public Agairs & Media Relations Specialist, AAA Missouri
Carly McGinnis
Carly McKinnis is an award-winning broadcast journalist with more than two decades of experience in local television news. She most recently served as an anchor and reporter at KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where she anchored Heartland News at Noon and Heartland News Now at 4:00 p.m. and led long-form and investigative reporting projects focused on community impact. Carly began her career after interning at KCNC-TV, followed by reporting roles at KTVO-TV and later KFVS-TV, covering southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky. Her work has been recognized with four Mid-America Emmy® Awards, two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, and numerous honors from state and regional broadcast associations. After nearly 24 years in television news, Carly transitioned into public agairs, where she continues to apply journalistic standards of accuracy, ethics, and clarity to public-facing communications. She is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Illinois and remains deeply committed to the future of local journalism, professional mentorship, and strong storytelling in the public interest.