Broadcasters Mark Johnson, Rich Haskell and Gary Sadowsky will be inducted into the Vermont Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame Nov. 16 at the Farmhouse on the grounds of the Essex Resort and Spa in Essex. Additionally, seven other broadcasters and one "Friend of Broadcasters" will be recognized with awards during the ceremony.
Johnson, a journalist in Vermont since 1982, has worked in print, broadcast and digital media, including 25 years as the host of "The Mark Johnson Show," a two-hour daily public affairs program on radio stations WKDR and WDEV. He currently hosts the public-affairs podcast "802 News" at WCAX-TV.
In almost four decades of broadcasting, Haskell has handled duties ranging from program director and on-air host to play-by-play broadcaster and field announcer. He is perhaps best known as the co-host of "The Huddle" on ESPN affiliate WCPV-FM from 2008 to 2021. Haskell now produces news and sports segments for Vox radio and serves as the public-address announcer for Vermont Lake Monsters games.
Sadowsky rose to fame as the beloved early-morning weatherman at WCAX-TV, entertaining viewers with his cheerful demeanor and insightful forecasts for over two decades. Now the chief meteorologist, Sadowsky's expertise and passion for weather continue to make him a trusted source of information in the community.
Award recipients who will be recognized at the ceremony are:
- Ira Wilder, owner of Wilder Associates and chief engineer at Monadnock Broadcasting Group — Distinguished Service Award.
- Dave Turner, chief engineer at WFFF-TV and WVNY-TV in Colchester — Snyder-Teffner Award.
- Great Eastern Radio-owned stations WRFK-FM, WWFY-FM and WSNO-FM — Alan Noyes Community Service Award.
- Spencer Lieberman, national sales manager at Vox Media — Rising Star in Sales.
- Lauren Granada, morning anchor at WPTZ-TV (NBC5 News) — Rising Star in News Anchoring.
- Ike Bendavid, news anchor and reporter, WCAX-TV — Rising Star in Investigative Reporting.
- Haley Bouley, chief meteorologist at WFFF-TV and WVNY-TV — Rising Star in Meteorology.
- Dr. Lewis First, professor and chair of pediatrics at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont — Friend of Broadcasters Award.