The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) announced the winners of its 2011 Next Generation Leader Awards, which will be handed out during a breakfast at The Cable Show in Chicago next month.
Honoring emerging executives for their professional achievements, as well as their efforts in fostering multi-ethnic diversity and inclusion, the Next Generation Leader Awards will be presented during the NAMIC Annual Awards Breakfast on June 16 at the McCormick Place Convention Center starting at 7 a.m.
This year’s award winners are: Vincent Cordero, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Deportes; Devin Johnson, general manager of Digital Works@NBCU at NBCUniversal; Howard Lee, senior vice president of production and development for TLC at Discovery Communications; and Stephen Thomas, area vice president of the city of Chicago at Comcast.
Since 2006, NAMIC has honored 20 Next Generation Leaders and 39 Luminaries – executives of color demonstrating exceptional business acumen, while exemplifying NAMIC’s mission to educate, advocate and empower for multi-ethnic diversity and inclusion in the communications industry.
The awards are presented in four categories: cable MSO, cable programmer, technology company or discipline, and the newly added award for achievements in the creative discipline.
Executives of color age 45 and under were eligible for nomination.
“As shifting demographics alter the industry and consumer landscape, NAMIC maintains a resolute commitment to developing the pipeline of executives of color,” said Kathy Johnson, president of NAMIC. “We are thrilled to honor and showcase the accomplishments of these emerging business leaders who embody our mission.”
Additionally, an auxiliary group of executives, designated as Luminaries, will be recognized for their business acumen and managerial expertise and for demonstrating leadership that exemplifies NAMIC’s mission.
The 2011 “Luminaries” are: Paul Biava, vice president of operations for the Comcast Freedom Region at Comcast Cable; Tamara Franklin, senior vice president of affiliate strategy and business development at Scripps Networks Interactive; Sam Gupta, vice president of IT OSS and infrastructure support for Time Warner Cable of New York and New Jersey; Kia Painter, vice president of human resources at Cox Communications; Jaime Rodriguez, vice president of business affairs, distribution sales and marketing at Univision Communications; Wendell Scott, vice president of multimedia sales for ESPN Customer Marketing & Sales; Bilai Joa Silar, vice president and channel director at Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic; Melody Tan, senior vice president of strategy and business operations, content distribution and marketing at MTV Networks, BET Networks and Epix; Janet Uthman, vice president of marketing and sales for the Western New England Region at Comcast Cable; Danny Villa, vice president of programming and development at OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network; Jacqueline M. Welch, senior vice president of talent management, diversity and development for Turner Broadcasting System; and Nanette Zabala Bischoff, vice president of financial planning and analysis at BET Networks.
David Cohen, executive vice president of Comcast, is the Honorary Chair for the 2011 NAMIC Annual Awards Breakfast.