Categories for the Vanguard Awards are listed below. Click on an award to view more information and see the list of past recipients.

• The Distinguished Vanguard Awards for Leadership, the most prestigious of NCTA’s national awards, recognizes the best and the brightest in the cable and telecommunications industry leadership.
• The Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management recognizes a cable manager from the corporate, regional or system level who has made a significant contribution, through his or her company, to the cable industry.
• The Vanguard Vanguard Award for Programmers was created to recognize the innovation, leadership and individual achievement of NCTA’s programmer members.
• The Vanguard Award for Science & Technology was created to honor individuals who have been active and imaginative forces in the design, development and introduction of technologies and engineering techniques that benefit the industry.
• The Vanguard Award for Government & Community Relations recognizes an individual who has significantly enhanced the status of the cable industry as a community leader, a state advocate or a national contributor.
• The Vanguard Award for Associates & Affiliates recognizes the indispensable contributions of our industry’s equipment manufacturers and service suppliers. NCTA affiliate members are equally instrumental in providing invaluable guidance and service as lawyers, brokers, bankers and consultants to the industry.
• The Vanguard Award for Marketing honors an individual who has been instrumental in developing a unique marketing approach that conveys convincingly the attributes and the appeal of services that flow over cable’s broadband networks.
• The Vanguard Award for Young Leadership was created to recognize those individuals who have emerged early in their careers as innovators and leaders, demonstrating the potential to continue making significant contributions to the cable and telecommunications industries.

View the Vanguard Awards Rules & Regulations

Questions?

To obtain further information about the Vanguard Awards, contact NCTA’s Department of Industry Affairs at (202) 222-2430 or e-mail us at vanguardawards@ncta.com.

Distinguished Vanguard Awards for Leadership

The Distinguished Vanguard Awards, the most prestigious of NCTA’s national awards, recognizes the best and the brightest in the cable and telecommunications industry leadership. The awards were created to honor Larry Boggs, who pioneered the development of the cable industry, and Idell Kaitz, whose representation of the industry produced a significant impact on policy-makers.

Each year, two awards are presented to one man and to one woman whose leadership and foresight have placed the cable industry in the vanguard of American business. The individuals recognized by these awards symbolize the highest level of excellence reached by leaders of our industry.

Nominees for the Distinguished Vanguard Award should meet the following criteria:

• Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities and development of cable television on the national level
• Be employed by a member of the NCTA

Past Recipients

Man		Woman
2010	James Dolan	2010	Bonnie Hammer
2009	Rocco B. Commisso	2009	Nomi Bergman
2008	Matthew C. Blank	2008	Anne Sweeney
2007	Brian Roberts	2007	Amy C. Tykeson
2006	Glen A. Britt	2006	Judy McGrath
2005	Decker Anstrom	2005	Abbe Raven
2004	Michael Willner	2004	Sheila Mahony
2003	Nickolas Davatzes	2003	Debra L. Lee
2002	Charles F. Dolan	2002	Christie Hefner
2001	Gerald M. Levin	2001	Kim D. Kelly
2000	John J. Rigas	2000	Maggie Wilderotter
1999	Leo J. Hindery, Jr.	1999	Judith A. McHale
1998	Julian A. Brodsky	1998	Ruth Warren
1997	Joseph J. Collins	1997	Ann Carlsen
1996	James O. Robbins	1996	Char Beales
1995	Alan Gerry	1995	Bobbi L. Kamil, Ph.D.
1994	Richard D. Roberts	1994	Sharan Wilson
1993	Ralph J. Roberts	1993	Ann L. Burr
1992	R.E. “Ted” Turner	1992	Pat Thompson
1991	Robert Miron	1991	Ruth L. Otte
1990	John W. Goddard	1990	Geraldine B. Laybourne
1989	Brian P. Lamb	1989	Gayle L. Greer
1988	Trygve E. Myhren	1988	Lucille E. Larkin
1987	Daniel Aaron	1987	Beverly A. Harms
1986	William B. Strange, Jr.	1986	No Award
1985	John V. Saeman	1985	Susan C. Greene
1984	Douglas H. Dittrick	1984	Sally M. Davison
1983	John C. Malone, Ph.D.	1983	Kathryn Hilton Creech
1982	Ralph M. Baruch	1982	Carolyn S. Chambers
1981	William J. Bresnan	1981	June E. Travis
1980	Robert M. Rosencrans	1980	Gail Sermersheim
1979	Burt I. Harris	1979	Kay Koplovitz
1978	Edward M. Allen	1978	Anna Marie Hutchinson
1977	Sam Haddock	1977	No Award
1976	Alfred R. Stern	1976	Beverly Land
1975	Amos B. Hostetter, Jr.	1975	Beverly Murphy
1974	Frank Thompson	1974	Polly Dunn
1973	E. Stratford Smith	1973	Yolanda Barco
1972	John Gwin
1971	Milton J. Shapp
1970	Irving B. Kahn
1969	Martin Malarkey
1968	Fred Stevenson
1967	George Barco
1966	Benjamin J. Conroy, Jr.
1965	Bill Daniels

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The Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management

This Vanguard Award was created to recognize individuals who successfully manage and develop cable operations in today’s competitive marketplace.

The cable industry demands from its managers a unique blend of technological understanding, fiscal responsibility, marketing savvy, public and media relations acumen, and leadership expertise in human resources and personnel management. It’s because of the tireless efforts of cable’s managers, who work under intense competition in today’s dynamic telecommunications environment, that this award conveys such significance.

The Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management recognizes a cable manager from the corporate, regional or system level who has made a significant contribution, through his or her company, to the cable industry.

Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management should meet the following criteria:

• Significantly contribute to the cable industry’s national agenda through the successful management of his/her own company’s accomplishments
• Provide leadership in the development of concepts and practices that lead to the advancement of the cable television industry
• Be employed by an NCTA System Operator member

Past Recipients

2010	Cathy Avgiris
2009	Dinni Jain
2008	Steven Brookstein
2007	John Bickham
2006	Eric P. Brown
2005	Steve Rizley & Barry Rosenblum
2004	Ann Montgomery
2003	Gary T. McCollum
2002	John N. Rigsby
2001	Stephen B. Burke
2000	Leo Brennan & James P. Cottingham
1999	Mary L. Cotter

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The Vanguard Award for Programmers

Cable is a renowned in the world of entertainment thanks to the break-through contributions by programmers. These individuals, both by themselves and through their networks, have taken television programming to the critically acclaimed stature it enjoys today and the profound impact it has had on not only in our own industry, but in the arts, our culture, and society at large.

This award was created to recognize the innovation, leadership and individual achievement of NCTA’s programmer members.

Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Programmers should meet the following criteria:

• Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities
• Make significant contributions to the continuing growth and development of cable television programming on the national level
• Be employed by an NCTA Programmer member

Past Recipients

2010	Josh Sapan
2009	Jim Walton
2008	Kenneth W. Lowe
2007	Philip Kent
2006	Henry Schleiff
2005	George Bodenheimer & Johnathan Rodgers
2004	Susan Swain & Rob Kennedy
2003	Chris Albrecht
2002	Herb Scannell
2001	Jeffrey L. Bewkes
2000	Betty Cohen
1999	Matthew C. Blank
1998	Daniel E. Davids
1997	John O. Wynne
1996	Steven M. Bornstein
1995	Lee Masters
1994	Nickolas Davatzes
1993	Thomas E. Freston
1992	Winston H. Cox
1991	John S. Hendricks
1990	R. E. “Ted” Turner
1989	Dr. Hal Morse
1988	Michael J. Fuchs

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The Vanguard Award for Science & Technology

The diversity and development of the cable industry depend on its technology. The men and women who pursue and achieve breakthrough engineering accomplishments provide the pathways for our collective progress.

This Vanguard Award was created to honor individuals who have been active and imaginative forces in the design, development and introduction of technologies and engineering techniques that benefit the industry. Their pursuits and accomplishments provide a primary source of cable’s growth and development as the industry forges ahead in the deployment of breakthrough technologies. One award is presented each year.

Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Science and Technology should meet the following criteria:

• Be an individual involved in technical developments and/or system operations
• Make significant contributions to the continuing technical advancement of the industry through manufacturing, design, application and implementation
• Be employed by a member of the NCTA

Past Recipients

2010	Marwan Fawaz
2009	Jay Rolls
2008	Paul G. Allen
2007	Chris Bowick
2006	Mike LaJoie
2005	Wilt Hildenbrand
2004	Robert Zitter
2003	Mark Coblitz
2002	David M. Fellows
2001	Michael T. Hayashi
2000	Tony G. Werner
1999	Dr. Richard R. Green
1998	William Schleyer
1997	Brian James
1996	James O. Farmer
1995	William W. Riker
1994	Vito Brugliera
1993	Thomas G. Elliot
1992	Nick Hamilton-Piercy
1991	Dan Pike
1990	Ted E. Hartson
1989	David M. Pangrac
1988	David J. Large
1987	Walter S. Ciciora, Ph.D.
1986	Joseph E. Van Loan
1985	Abe Sonnenschein
1984	Robert A. Luff

Past Recipients of the Vanguard Award for Development

1983	Victor F. Tarbutton
1982	Robert V.C. Dickinson
1981	Sydney Fluck, Jr.
1980	Harold Rosen, Ph.D.
1979	Michael Jeffers
1978	Robert Tenten
1977	Alex B. Best
1976	Archer S. Taylor
1975	Henry Diambra
1974	Thomas Straus
1973	Kenneth Simons

Past Recipients of the Vanguard Award for Operations

1983	James Chiddix
1982	James J. Fischer
1981	Nicholas E. Worth
1980	Kenneth S. Gunter
1979	Frank J. Bias
1978	Robert Bilodeau
1977	James W. Stilwell
1976	Richard C. Hickman
1975	Israel Switzer
1974	Hubert J. Schlafly
1973	Donald Levenson

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The Vanguard Award for Government & Community Relations

The Vanguard Award for Government and Community Relations recognizes that cable’s success depends on the ability to promote a positive public image and to advocate public policy positions at the national, state and/or local government levels.

This award reflects the combined legacies of the Vanguard Award for State/Regional Association Leadership* and the Vanguard Award for Public Relations*. The award recognizes an individual who has significantly enhanced the status of the cable industry as a community leader, a state advocate or a national contributor.

Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Government and Community Relations should meet the following criteria:

• Significantly contribute to the cable industry’s national agenda through effectiveness in community and/or government relations at the national, state or local level
• Provide leadership in the development of concepts that to significant advancement in positive public awareness of cable television
• Be employed by a member of the NCTA

Past Recipients

2010	Sandy Wilson
2009	Bonnie Hathaway
2008	Carol A. Melton
2007	Libby O'Connell
2006	Alexander Netchvolodoff
2005	David Cohen
2004	Jennifer Mooney
2003	Richard H. Beahrs
2002	Joseph W. Waz, Jr.
2001	William K. Geppert
2000	Bertram W. Carp
1999	Stephen R. Effros

* Past Recipients of the Vanguard Award for State/Regional Association Leadership

1998	Dennis H. Mangers
1997	Steven E. Wilkerson
1996	Carol Caruso (Ohio)
1995	W.D. Arnold (Texas)
1994	Charles Hembree
1993	Emmett White (Illinois)
1992	John R. Liskey (Michigan)
1991	Dean A. Deyo (Tennessee)
1990	Trey Smith (California)
1989	Paul W. Freas (New Jersey)
1988	Florida Cable Television Association
1987	Anthony W. Accamando, Jr. (Pennsylvania)
1986	John F. Gault (New York)
1985	T. W. “Skip” Meadows (Alabama)
1984	George F. Gardner (Pennsylvania)
1983	Orlando E. “Brill” Brillante (Florida)
1982	Carl W. Gainer (West Virginia)
1981	William J. Ryan (Florida)
1980	Spencer Kaitz (California)
1979	Wayne Lee (Alabama)
1978	Frank Scarpa (New Jersey)
1977	Thomas Gilchrist (Florida)
1976	Robert D. Towe (Montana)
1975	Jay Wagner (Ohio)
1974	Robert J. Tarlton (Pennsylvania)
1973	Joseph Gans (Pennsylvania)
1972	William Kenny (New England)
1971	Michael B. Arnold (New York)
1970	Holland Meacham/ Don Royse (Mid- America)
1969	No Award
1968	John Mankin, Sr. (Texas)
1967	Walter Kaitz (California)

* Past Recipients of the Vanguard Award for Public Relations

1998	Beverly Greenberg
1997	Chuck Ellis
1996	Lynn Yaeger
1995	David C. Andersen
1994	McAdory Lipscomb, Jr.

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The Vanguard Award for Associates & Affiliates

This Vanguard award recognizes the indispensable contributions of our industry’s equipment manufacturers and service suppliers. Cable continues to delight customers in today’s highly competitive marketplace because of innovative product design and services provided by associate members.

NCTA affiliate members are equally instrumental in providing invaluable guidance and service as lawyers, brokers, bankers and consultants to the industry.

Today, the contributions of both of these segments are even more important as the industry shapes the evolution of new media.

Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Associates and Affiliates should meet the following criteria:

• Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities
• Make significant contributions to the growth and development of cable television on the national level
• Be employed by an NCTA Associate or Affiliate member

Past Recipients

2010	Howard Symons
2009	Robert Stanzione
2008	Michael Pohl
2007	Cathy Wilson
2006	Paul Glist
2005	Leslie Ellis
2004	Rouzbeh Yassini
2003	John D. Clark, Jr.
2002	William G. McGorry
2001	Norval D. Reece
2000	Paul S. Maxwell
1999	James F. McDonald
1998	Edward Breen
1997	John W. Waller, III
1996	William H. Lambert
1995	Brian Deevy
1994	Richard Perry
1993	Gordon E. Halverson
1992	Phillip J. Hogue
1991	Hal M. Krisbergh
1990	John Egan
1989	Maggie Wilderotter
1988	Abe H. Sonnenschein
1987	Robert J. Mathews
1986	Robert J. Wussler
1985	John H. Levergood
1984	Frank M. Drendel
1983	Andrew F. Inglis
1982	John J. Sie
1981	Robert E. “Ted” Turner
1980	Sidney Topol
1979	Gerald W. Levin
1978	Bruce Merrill
1977	Richard L. Jackson
1976	Ray V. Schneider
1973	NCTA Associate Members

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The Vanguard Award for Marketing

As competition intensifies and technologies grow more complex, successfully communicating values associated with cable products and services is more critical than ever.

This Vanguard Award honors an individual who has been instrumental in developing a unique marketing approach that conveys convincingly the attributes and the appeal of services that flow over cable’s broadband networks. To be considered, the individual may be associated with a national marketing effort, or with marketing approaches that are local in scope but have national applicability.

Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Marketing should meet the following criteria:

• Provide leadership in the development of marketing concepts that lead to significant television and increased subscribership
• Contribute through industry-sponsored events and/or promote by other means marketing concepts that benefit the industry
• Be employed by a member of the NCTA

Past Recipients

2010	David Zagin
2009	Sean R.H. Bratches
2008	Sam Howe
2007	Patricia Gottesman
2006	Dave Watson
2005	Lori McFarling
2004	Joseph Rooney
2003	Kevin J. Leddy
2002	Len Fogge
2001	Pamela Euler Halling
2000	Douglas V. Holloway
1999	Whitney Goit II
1998	Curtis Symonds
1997	Joshua Sapan
1996	Chris Moseley
1995	Char Beales
1994	Mark Greenberg
1993	Julia W. Sprunt
1992	Gordon R. Herring
1991	Matthew C. Blank
1990	D. Lowell Hussey
1989	Ajit M. Dalvi
1988	John K. Billock
1987	Doug Wenger
1986	Charles C. Townsend III
1985	Jerry Maglio
1984	Winston H. “Tony” Cox

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The Vanguard Award for Young Leadership

The energy, vitality and creativity of young people in the cable industry has contributed enormously to its advancement. This award was created to recognize those individuals who have emerged early in their careers as innovators and leaders, demonstrating the potential to continue making significant contributions to the cable and telecommunications industries.

The Vanguard Award for Young Leadership honors the memory of Jerry Greene, who was a founder of Harriscope Cable Corp. and chief financial officer of its successor companies, Warner Cable and Cyprus Communications. Before he was 30, Greene was a vice president and board member of TelePrompter Corporation.

Nominees for the Vanguard Award for Young Leadership should meet the following criteria:

• Be 40 years of age or younger
• Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities
• Make significant contributions to the growth and development of cable television on the national level
• Be employed by a member of the NCTA

Past Recipients

2010	Peter Stern
2009	Charlie Collier
2008	Bret Perkins
2007	Alicin Reidy-Williamson
2006	Kathryn Falk
2005	Steve Miron
2004	Dallas Clement
2003	Lynne Elander
2002	Edward Carroll & Ellen M. East
2001	Sean R.H. Bratches & Tracy Lawrence
2000	William F. Goodwyn
1999	Megan Stevens-Hookey
1998	Lela Cocoros & Eason Jordan
1997	Bradley J. Siegel
1996	Kate McEnroe
1995	Shellie Rosser & Susan Swain
1994	Scott Sassa
1993	Scott P. Kurnit
1992	Tim Robertson
1991	Brian L. Roberts
1990	Kevin H. Rorke
1989	Terence F. McGuirk
1988	Timothy P. Neher
1987	C. Ronald Dorchester
1986	Marc B. Nathanson
1985	James S. Cownie
1984	John D. Evans
1983	James O. Heyworth
1982	Kay Koplovitz
1981	Frank M. Drendel
1980	Brian Lamb
1979	Richard W. Loftus
1978	David Wicks

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