2025 LPTVBA Mike Gravino
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.
This year, we are proud to announce the recipients who demonstrate the highest level of local power broadcasting.
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 isknown to virtually all of us!
“For Years of Dedication and Influence in LPTV Broadcasting”.
Barbara Kreisman
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.
“For Years of Dedication and Influence in LPTV Broadcasting”.
Dan Viles
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.
“For Years of Dedication and Influence in LPTV Broadcasting”.
Ron Bruno
2024 Awards
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
“For Years of Dedication and Influence in LPTV Broadcasting”.
Peter Tannenwald
2023 Awards
“In appreciation for the decades of deploying the highest engineering and technical standards in building LPTV broadcasting stations”.
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.
“For Years of Dedication and Influence in LPTV Broadcasting”.
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
“For the vision, perseverance, and sheer determination for the construction of LPTV broadcasting stations and communities across the nation”.
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.