For Immediate Release Kim Spence, AWRT SoCal Chapter Public Relations Director 310.463.4201 Laura Behrman, AWRT SoCal Chapter President 818-569-3148

AWRT SoCAL Announces NEW 2009-2010
Officers and Advisory Board of Directors

Making It Happen In Southern California!

July 16, 2009

Burbank, CA (Thursday, July 16, 2009) -- The Southern California Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT SoCal) announce its newly elected Officers and Advisory Board of Directors for 2009-2010. The new Advisory Board is comprised of a blue ribbon panel of high-level executives and professionals in television, radio, and allied fields that strive to empower women in electronic media by promoting progress and creating change in the industry.

"The collective experience and influence of this impressive Advisory Board will take the American Women in Radio & Television's Southern California Chapter to the next level," states Laura Behrman, AWRT SoCAL President. "Our industry is facing challenging times and we feel very fortunate to have the expertise of this exceptional group of women and men guiding our organization."

2009-2010 ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The New Advisory Board Line-up Includes:

Corinne Baldassano, Sr Vice President Programming & Marketing, Take on the Day, LLC/ The Dr. Laura Program

Desiree Vanderwal, Director Marketing and Public Relations, Basic Solutions & Vast Resources, and AWRT Past President

Diane Sutter, President/ CEO, ShootingStar Broadcasting, and AWRT Past National President

Dr Judith Marlane, Professor/Author/Documentarian, Marlane Media Consultants, LLC, California State University, Northridge

Erica Farber, Broadcast Executive Fran Viesti, Vice President, Local Sales, KABC-TV

John Paley, Vice President & General Manager, KIRN 670 AM

Lafern Cusack, Director of Community Affairs, Southern California Broadcasters Association, and AWRT Past President

Lisa Foxx, On-air, Clear Channel Radio, 104.3MYfm/Star 1013-SF/Star 941-SD/Mix1029-Dallas

Marida Petitjean, Marketing Consultant, KOLA 99.9, and AWRT Past President

Mary Beth Garber, President, Southern California Broadcasters Association

Pat Harvey, Anchor, KCAL/CBS2

Rita Wilde, Genii Award-Winning Announcer

Samm Brown III, On-air, KPFK Radio 90.7 fm, Film/TV Score Composer

Sheri Tobin, Account Manager, K-EARTH/KTWV

Stella Prado, Program Director, KOST 103.5

Valerie Blackburn, Market Controller, CBS Radio - Los Angeles, AWRT Vice-Chair/President Elect - National Board

2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Laura Behrman from Radio Disney AM 1110 has been re-elected as President, serving her second year of a two-year term. Behrman previously served four years on the board and has chaired several committees. Julie Kertes, an Entertainment Marketing Consultant is President-Elect.

"I am so excited to kick off this year with such a great group of accomplished professionals that are dedicated to helping our members through these difficult times," states Behrman, AWRT SoCal President. "Our 2009-10 goals include developing new resource tools for our members, and providing a series of educational seminars, and networking events that connect prospective employees with employers." AWRT SoCal offers job-hunting resources, free online job postings, a networking forum, scholarships, mentoring opportunities, and gives back to the community it serves.

The 2009-10 American Women in Radio & Television Southern California Chapter Board of Directors

PRESIDENT
Laura Behrman Promotions Director, Radio Disney AM 1110

PRESIDENT-ELECT
Julie Kertes Entertainment Marketing Consultant

HONORARY DIRECTOR
Debra Hurd, KCBS 2 / KCAL 9

HONORARY DIRECTOR
Cindy Yantis, Author / Speaker / Consultant

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMMING
Bonnie Gallanter, President, Muse Artist Management

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP
Panney Wei, C.Ht., TV-Radio Host-Writer-Motivational Speaker-Certified Hypnotherapist, Host,"Positive Changes with Panney Wei" on KCAA 1050 AM & kcaaradio.com, Co-Host, "Goddess Radio" on USWebtalkradio.com

RECORDING SECRETARY
January McCrillis, President, Global Vision Editing

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Delia Taylor, Disney Music Publishing TREASURER Poopak Mozaffari, Director of Administration, KIRN 670AM

WEBSITE DIRECTOR
Marshaa P. Robinson, Co-President, Global Vision Editing

CAREER ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR
Simone Tucker, Disney ABC Television Group, Network Media

MARKETING DIRECTOR
Shannon Rosenberg, Account Manager, Sirius XM

PUBLIC RELATIONS/PUBLICITY DIRECTOR
Kim Spence, President, FIND Entertainment Productions

PARLIAMENTARIAN DIRECTOR
Mary Schaffer, Cinema & Television Arts (CTVA) Department, Cal State University, Northridge

SPONSORSHIP DIRECTOR & COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Shelley Lee, Copy Writer/Voice Talent

NEW MEDIA DIRECTOR
Daria Linvill, Los Angeles Times Media Group

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Tony Jollett, Owner, ADI

MENTORSHIP DIRECTOR
Vicky Martinez, KFI AM 640

DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Jennifer Jayne, C.Ht., Certified Hypnotherapist

DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Elizabeth Sapojion, KCBS 2 / KCAL 9

About American Women in Radio & Television, Southern California Chapter:
The Southern California Chapter of American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT SoCal) is a non-profit membership organization for women and men who work in the electronic media and allied fields in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and Ventura counties. The Southern California Chapter of AWRT offers numerous local benefits to its members, including networking events, educational programs, community outreach, and career counseling. AWRT SoCal works to improve the quality of electronic media; promote the entry, development and advancement of women in the field; foster communication and idea exchange; and give back to the community it serves. (www.awrtsocal.org)

About AWRT SoCal Genii Awards:
For over 50 years, AWRT's Southern California Chapter has presented the highest honor AWRT SoCal bestows in the name of Chapter Founder, Jeanne Gray McDonald.

Genii honorees are recognized for their pioneering efforts, dedicated leadership, commitment to quality and excellence, and their community contributions. Saluting the notable achievements of excellence by individuals in the broadcasting industry, the Genii Awards benefit AWRT SoCal's scholarship fund, and educational programs.

About AWRT SoCal Genii Awards: For over 50 years, AWRT's Southern California Chapter has presented the highest honor AWRT SoCal bestows in the name of Chapter Founder, Jeanne Gray McDonald. This special honor celebrates the notable achievements of excellence executed by individuals in radio and television broadcasting. The recipients of this prestigious honor are being saluted for their significant contributions to the industry aligned with the mission of the organization to promote progress and create change within the electronic media.

Genii honorees are recognized for their pioneering efforts, dedicated leadership, commitment to quality and excellence, and their community contributions. Saluting the Notable Achievements of Excellence by Individuals in the Broadcasting Industry, the Genii Awards benefit AWRT SoCal's scholarship program, and educational programs.

Past Genii Award recipients include:

Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Whoopie Goldberg, Doris Roberts, Leeza Gibbons, Fay Kanin and Anne Sweeney, to name a few.

The chapter's annual Genii Awards celebrates the contributions of esteemed colleagues, and helps to fund AWRT SoCal student scholarships.

For a complete list of Genii Award winners and AWRT SoCal membership information, go to www.awrtsocal.org.

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