THE 2012 NATIONAL ADVOCACY AWARDS

The 2012 National Advocacy Awards recognize two exceptional individuals who exemplify effective advocacy on behalf of public television. This year's awards were given to EricHyyppa, Director and General Manager KUSM-TV, MontanaPBS, and Kathleen Rae, Director, Government and External Affairs, WNET New York Public Media.

EricHyyppa, Director and General Manager KUSM-TV, MontanaPBS

Eric Hyyppa has been in public broadcasting for more than 16 years and has worked for every major television network and many independent production companies. He has a background in Information Technology, including a BS in Computer Science from Montana State University. Hyyppa has been member of the Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers and the Society of Broadcast Engineers and currently serves on the board of directors of the Association of Public Television Stations, the board of directors of the Montana Broadcasters Association, the executive board of the National Educational Telecommunications Association, and as co-chair of the Organization of State Broadcasting Executives.

Kathleen Rae, Director, Government and External Affairs, WNET New York Public Media

Kathy Rae serves as WNET’s liaison with elected officials at city, state and federal government levels on a range of issues of concern to the station including annual funding support, educational and cultural programs, and telecommunications issues. Prior to her current role, Rae served WNET as the director of educational technology, the director of the educational services department, and served as director of the station’s New Jersey operations.