ABOUT

With almost 700 members, The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Pacific Southwest Chapter,  serves television professionals in San Diego, Bakersfield, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria. 

HISTORY

The San Diego Chapter was chartered by the National Television Academy in 1972 under the leadership of its founding president, Ralph Hodges. The Chapter began awarding Emmys for outstanding achievement in San Diego area television in 1974.

In 1990 the chapter began awarding Emmys in the Southwest region as the San Diego/Southwestern Area Emmy Awards. In 2001 the name was changed to Pacific Southwest. 

If you are looking for the Los Angeles Area or the Primetime Emmy® Awards, click here.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

NATAS Pacific Southwest Chapter Officers and Board of Governors

THE 2024-2025 OFFICERS

DJ Summit
President
Summit FilmWorks
DJ Summitt is the owner and director at Summitt FilmWorks, a motion design and animation studio, as well as Head of Motion at SiriusXM. At over 18 years experience he's been in motion design since before it had a name. By combining broadcast, commercial, and concert art he has developed experiences for Carrie Underwood,the San Diego Padres, Jennifer Lopez, The Masked Singer, Fox5, Pearl Jam, and the Las Vegas Raiders to name just a few. He loves music, horror movies, and tacos but probably not in that order.
Linkedin
Schatar Sapphira Collier
Vice President
New Vista Studios
Schatar Sapphira Collier is the founder of New Vista Studios which provides technical support, digital media training, e- learning strategies and publication technology in support of corporate customers, educational institutions and government entities.

A live broadcast television professional, Schatar’s TV, media and movie credits include MTV Networks, Vh1’s “Flavor Of Love”, the Wendy Williams radio show, “The Doctors” nationally syndicated daytime program, ABC’s “Boston Legal”, a six month national to ur with the John F. Kennedy Center, a Debbie Allen production, executive producing and hosting “Poultry Princess” the series on Amazon Prime, being the Chief Media Officer for 6 streaming channels on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, BET’s “Take The Cake”, and the movie “High Roller” featuring Michael Imperioli of “The Sopranos” among many others.

Schatar is a graduate of the Ivy League campus of the University of Pennsylvania, a HOBY Alum and an American Legion Distinguished Scholar. Schatar’s newest line, Big Fairy Tales at Arts Collection AI, produces reimaginings of classic stories, multi-media and merchandise created with the technology of AI art-Artificial Intelligence art.

Marianne Bates
Treasurer
Marianne is an award-winning producer, writer and actor. She has received numerous Emmy nominations and awards. Over the years, Marianne acted while also producing several multiple-day live entertainment events and theatrical productions. After taking a hiatus to raise her children, she came back to the entertainment world to follow her dreams. In 2010 she joined forces with Amalgamated Grommets. She also served as a Board Member for San Diego Media Pros for eight years.

Marianne exemplifies a diverse background in the entertainment industry. While studying theatre and commercial acting in her early years, Marianne apprenticed with her father on a variety of shows and productions as a pyrotechnician assistant. After training with her father in pyrotechnics she was forever bonded with the craft.

THE 2024-2025 GOVERNORS

Luis "Pollo" Aceves
Chapter Governor
Luis "Pollo" Aceves is a dynamic television presenter, director, and producer with more than 30 years of expertise in theater, television, and radio. He is an Emmy Award-winning talent, with two additional nominations, and currently serves as a judge and Board of Governors member for NATAS PWS. A proud Mexican American and independent talent, Luis has called Las Vegas home for nearly a decade. Throughout his career, he has focused on elevating emerging talent, fostering spiritual growth, and championing philanthropy. His work seamlessly blends his passion for creative expression with a heartfelt dedication to making a meaningful impact on the world through media and community engagement.
Erin Auerbach
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Erin Auerbach is a professor of journalism at Bakersfield College. In addition to teaching courses in mass communication, reporting and public relations,  she advises the school’s award-winning online and print publication, The Renegade Rip. She also leads the Career Technical Education Advisory Committee for Journalism at the college. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct lecturer at Cal State Bakersfield. Erin has educated many young adults who have gone on to work in newsrooms in various media markets throughout the country.   Prior to working in the academe, she worked as a features writer for the Press Enterprise in Riverside, California and then as a public relations writer and media relations manager at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. Erin earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California where she was the recipient of the Art Buchwald Award for Humorous Writing. She also holds a master’s degree in theater from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Jeff Browe
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Jeff Browe is the Managing Director for Wunderman Thompson California responsible for overseeing business management and the success of client partners. Jeff has extensive experience in brand management, loyalty and customer acquisition across a range of industries, developing end-to-end marketing solutions and pioneering new ways to address client challenges to deliver growth. Jeff has played a leadership role for priority clients, supporting some of today’s best-known brands throughout his career that include Land Rover, Jaguar, Southwest Airlines, Disney, Qualcomm and Shell.
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Leon Clark
Chapter Governor
E.W. Scripps & KGTV ABC10 – San Diego
Leon Clark is no stranger to the marketing and programing needs of the broadcast consumer. With over 25 years of management and operational experience, Leon Clark has had a strong and varied career in television, digital and radio . He has worked for some of the most prestigious and powerful media companies in the business including ABC/Disney, EMMIS, COX, CBS, TuneIn and for over the past 8 years, the E.W. Scripps Company as Vice President - General Manager for their ABC station first in Tucson and currently in San Diego.

Leon Clark has the proven ability in developing and leading performance – based teams in the media and advertising industry. He has a strong knowledge and execution base in management and ongoing performance management against stated goals.

Leon Clark is strategic, creative, focused, committed, passionate, persistent, and tenacious. He is someone who brings the ability to analyze different markets, understand trends and anticipate what may happen. These traits have served him well in the various markets he has worked including, Los Angeles , New York, Atlanta , Boston and now San Diego.

Mr. Clark currently serves on the boards of the Scripps Howard Foundation, NATAS – PSW Board of Governors, San Diego YMCA and LEAD San Diego. He has previously sat on several other boards including the Urban League, the Boys and Girls Club, the board of Governors for Theatre LA and the Junior Board of the City of Hope.

Sarah Cowan
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Sarah Cowan is the News Director at KGTV, the ABC affiliate in San Diego. She is an award-winning broadcast journalist with nearly 20 years of experience in the San Diego news market. Sarah began her career as a producer at KUSI, before moving to KGTV in 2008. She has been awarded 12 Emmys by NATAS PSW, several San Diego Press Club awards, and a regional Edward R. Murrow. Sarah is also a Fellow of The Carole Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism.
MaryEllen Eagelston
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
MaryEllen Eagelston has been an active member of the NATAS-PSW Chapter since 1988. She served on the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Executive Committee.as the Secretary from 2016-2018. MaryEllen has been both a Trustee and Alternate Trustee for the National organization. Since her involvement with the Chapter, MaryEllen has been the Emmy Awards Recorder, Producer, Assistant Director, and Awards Chair. She is currently the Emmy Awards Co-Chair. MaryEllen successfully moved the Pacific Southwest Chapter from the manual Emmy Awards entry system to the current online system. Since 1997, she has worked with the NATAS-PSW Emmy Awards Director to make sure there is a volunteer professional crew for our program which enabled the chapter to keep costs to a minimum for the members. MaryEllen has been President and Vice President. During her tenure as President, the NATAS-PSW Chapter founded our 501(c)3 Foundation which has totally funded the NATAS-PSW scholarship program since 2009. MaryEllen has worked in the News and Production departments of several San Diego stations. She has worked in Public Television as an Associate Producer, Director, Technical Director and Chyron Operator. Since 1997, MaryEllen has worked at NBC San Diego. She is currently a Director/APC Operator. MaryEllen has also worked as a Freelance Chyron and Camera Operator on various Sports programs and games. MaryEllen has seen the television industry move from ¾” tape to digital media. MaryEllen is the recipient of five Emmy Awards and a twelve-time nominee. She also received the NATAS-PSW Governor's Award in 2007. MaryEllen is a sustaining member of the Junior League of San Diego. As an active member she held the positions of Bills Treasurer, Nominations Chair, Public Relations Chair and House Chair. She also served on the Rummage Sale and Encore fundraising committees. In 1980, MaryEllen was an Alternate Delegate to the Democratic National Convention elected from the Illinois 18th Congressional District.
Doug Friedman
Chapter Governor
After working a number of years in television production in Los Angeles (including as a writer on Chuck Barris Productions' "The Newlywed Game," "Treasure Hunt" and other shows), Doug segued into media marketing and was instrumental in the TV launches of "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol," "Tales from the Crypt," "Access Hollywood," and dozens of other shows.

He has worked or consulted for all of the broadcast networks, and came to San Diego in 2005 as Creative Services Director at KUSI Television. Currently as the head of Malibu Marketing, Doug writes and produces national promotional elements for syndicated TV series including “Heartland,” “Murdoch Mysteries,” and “Bloodline Detectives.”

Donn Johnson
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Tracy Lehr
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Tracy Lehr is an Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, Golden Mike winning reporter, 2018 State of California Woman of the Year for her Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide coverage. Tracy joined News Channel 3-12 decades ago as a reporter, anchor and host. She is currently the anchor of News Channel 3-12 evening weekend newscasts as well as an evening live reporter during the week. Tracy received her big break reporting on radio and TV in Vail, Colorado where she also taught skiing.
Ashton McIntyre
Chapter Governor
KSBY News in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
Ashton started with KSBY five years ago as the morning show producer and quickly worked her way up to the managing role of Executive. She graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Communications and Political Science and ultimately fell in love with Journalism when I interned at one of the top-rated news stations in Central California.

Her first job in news was with KSBY, and has been there ever since because telling the stories of the Central Coast is not only a job but a passion of hers. She believes that journalists deserve to be recognized for their dedication in telling stories, which is why she is excited to be a part of this board and award people for their hard work in a sometimes-thankless role.

M.G. Perez
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
M.G. Perez joined the Board of Governors in 2023 while working as the Education Reporter for KPBS in San Diego. He has had an extensive broadcast career, reporting in major news markets, including Houston, San Diego, San Francisco, and WNBC-TV in New York City. M.G. holds a master's degree in Special Education from Point Loma Nazarene University. He spent seven years teaching in the San Diego Unified School District. He has returned to the education community while also pursuing other media opportunities.
Veronica Placencia
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Joe Smith
Chapter Governor
United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire (UCPIE)
A two-time Emmy winner who was inducted into the Dayton (Ohio) Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Joe Smith is a respected broadcast journalist whose career has spanned the United States. From 2018 - 2021, he served as co-anchor of "NBC Palm Springs Today," receiving a 2021 Emmy nomination for Program Host/Moderator/Correspondent from the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

As a business reporter for KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon, he earned an Emmy Award for news writing from the NATAS Northwest Chapter
.
For his role as host and executive producer of a nightly public affairs program on Milwaukee Public Television in Wisconsin, he received an Emmy Award from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of NATAS.

He received five additional Emmy nominations for his work at stations including WWLP-TV (Springfield, Massachusetts), WXEX-TV (Richmond, Virginia), KLVX-TV (Las Vegas, Nevada) Florida’s News Channel (Tallahassee, Florida) and WVNY/WFFF-TV (Burlington, Vermont).

A past president of the Milwaukee Press Club, Joe Smith also hosted a weekend talk and call-in program on Milwaukee’s WTMJ Radio.

In addition to serving on the Board of Governors of the NATAS Pacific Southwest Chapter, he is vice chair of the Board of Trustees of United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire (UCPIE).

Jessie Williams
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Jessie Williams is the News Director for KTNV, the ABC affiliate in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as their secondary station, Vegas 34. This is the first time her news career has brought her out west after having spent the majority of her time at stations across the Midwest. She's spent the last ten years of her career in various roles with the E.W. Scripps Company.
Michael Brueggemeyer
CHAPTER GOVERNOR

THE 2023-2024 GOVERNORS

Marianne Bates
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Marianne is an award-winning producer, writer and actor. She has received numerous Emmy nominations and awards. Over the years, Marianne acted while also producing several multiple-day live entertainment events and theatrical productions. After taking a hiatus to raise her children, she came back to the entertainment world to follow her dreams. In 2010 she joined forces with Amalgamated Grommets. She also served as a Board Member for San Diego Media Pros for eight years.

Marianne exemplifies a diverse background in the entertainment industry. While studying theatre and commercial acting in her early years, Marianne apprenticed with her father on a variety of shows and productions as a pyrotechnician assistant. After training with her father in pyrotechnics she was forever bonded with the craft.

Jeff Browe
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Jeff Browe is the Managing Director for Wunderman Thompson California responsible for overseeing business management and the success of client partners. Jeff has extensive experience in brand management, loyalty and customer acquisition across a range of industries, developing end-to-end marketing solutions and pioneering new ways to address client challenges to deliver growth. Jeff has played a leadership role for priority clients, supporting some of today’s best-known brands throughout his career that include Land Rover, Jaguar, Southwest Airlines, Disney, Qualcomm and Shell.
Linkedin
Leon Clark
Chapter Governor
E.W. Scripps & KGTV ABC10 – San Diego
Leon Clark is no stranger to the marketing and programing needs of the broadcast consumer. With over 25 years of management and operational experience, Leon Clark has had a strong and varied career in television, digital and radio . He has worked for some of the most prestigious and powerful media companies in the business including ABC/Disney, EMMIS, COX, CBS, TuneIn and for over the past 8 years, the E.W. Scripps Company as Vice President - General Manager for their ABC station first in Tucson and currently in San Diego.

Leon Clark has the proven ability in developing and leading performance – based teams in the media and advertising industry. He has a strong knowledge and execution base in management and ongoing performance management against stated goals.

Leon Clark is strategic, creative, focused, committed, passionate, persistent, and tenacious. He is someone who brings the ability to analyze different markets, understand trends and anticipate what may happen. These traits have served him well in the various markets he has worked including, Los Angeles , New York, Atlanta , Boston and now San Diego.

Mr. Clark currently serves on the boards of the Scripps Howard Foundation, NATAS – PSW Board of Governors, San Diego YMCA and LEAD San Diego. He has previously sat on several other boards including the Urban League, the Boys and Girls Club, the board of Governors for Theatre LA and the Junior Board of the City of Hope.

Schatar Sapphira Collier
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
New Vista Studios
Schatar Sapphira Collier is the founder of New Vista Studios which provides technical support, digital media training, e- learning strategies and publication technology in support of corporate customers, educational institutions and government entities.

A live broadcast television professional, Schatar’s TV, media and movie credits include MTV Networks, Vh1’s “Flavor Of Love”, the Wendy Williams radio show, “The Doctors” nationally syndicated daytime program, ABC’s “Boston Legal”, a six month national to ur with the John F. Kennedy Center, a Debbie Allen production, executive producing and hosting “Poultry Princess” the series on Amazon Prime, being the Chief Media Officer for 6 streaming channels on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, BET’s “Take The Cake”, and the movie “High Roller” featuring Michael Imperioli of “The Sopranos” among many others.

Schatar is a graduate of the Ivy League campus of the University of Pennsylvania, a HOBY Alum and an American Legion Distinguished Scholar. Schatar’s newest line, Big Fairy Tales at Arts Collection AI, produces reimaginings of classic stories, multi-media and merchandise created with the technology of AI art-Artificial Intelligence art.

Doug Friedman
Chapter Governor
After working a number of years in television production in Los Angeles (including as a writer on Chuck Barris Productions' "The Newlywed Game," "Treasure Hunt" and other shows), Doug segued into media marketing and was instrumental in the TV launches of "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol," "Tales from the Crypt," "Access Hollywood," and dozens of other shows.

He has worked or consulted for all of the broadcast networks, and came to San Diego in 2005 as Creative Services Director at KUSI Television. Currently as the head of Malibu Marketing, Doug writes and produces national promotional elements for syndicated TV series including “Heartland,” “Murdoch Mysteries,” and “Bloodline Detectives.”

PJ Haarsma
Chapter Governor
Redbear Films
PJ Haarsma is a leader in the digital age of business & entertainment. He is an award-winning producer, science fiction author, and video game creator. PJ is the founder of Redbear Films, a hybrid agency and production company. He produced the Emmy-nominated series Con Man for Lionsgate, and his client list includes Southwest Airlines, Invisalign, Shell, and Best Buy.
Linkedin
Twitter
Donn Johnson
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Timothy Kiley
Chapter Governor
KESQ in Palm Springs, Calif.
Timothy started in TV in 1995 working post production on a show called Sightings. He has worked as a Camera Assistant, Film Loader, Location Scout, and produced, shot and edited his own short films and documentaries. Timothy started working in news in 2002 as a Photojournalist, Editor, Assignment Manager and Assistant News Director.

Timothy recently created a documentary called “Lens Flares: Trauma in Journalism” which highlights the need for Journalists to be aware of their own mental health and for the general public to understand what the media endures on a daily basis in a time when those in the news have been vili fi ed.

Tim is a 5 time Emmy award recipient, has also received three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and 2 Golden Mikes. Timothy has served on the NATAS PSW Board since 2016.

Tracy Lehr
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Tracy Lehr is an Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, Golden Mike winning reporter, 2018 State of California Woman of the Year for her Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslide coverage. Tracy joined News Channel 3-12 decades ago as a reporter, anchor and host. She is currently the anchor of News Channel 3-12 evening weekend newscasts as well as an evening live reporter during the week. Tracy received her big break reporting on radio and TV in Vail, Colorado where she also taught skiing.
John Madden
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Andre Marcel
Chapter Governor
Founder | AMB Publicity
Andre Marcel is an entertainment publicist, producer, and Emmy Award recipient. His projects span film/television, commercial advertising, music, fashion, technology, award shows, festivals, and philanthropic causes. He founded AMB Publicity in 2005. Andre Marcel also serves as Co-Chair and Executive Producer of the Young Artist Academy™ Awards since 2017. He has over 30 years of experience as a private instructor and public speaker.
Linkedin
Ashton McIntyre
Chapter Governor
KSBY News in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
Ashton started with KSBY five years ago as the morning show producer and quickly worked her way up to the managing role of Executive. She graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Communications and Political Science and ultimately fell in love with Journalism when I interned at one of the top-rated news stations in Central California.

Her first job in news was with KSBY, and has been there ever since because telling the stories of the Central Coast is not only a job but a passion of hers. She believes that journalists deserve to be recognized for their dedication in telling stories, which is why she is excited to be a part of this board and award people for their hard work in a sometimes-thankless role.

MG Perez
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
M.G. Perez joined the Board of Governors in 2023 while working as the Education Reporter for KPBS in San Diego. He has had an extensive broadcast career, reporting in major news markets, including Houston, San Diego, San Francisco, and WNBC-TV in New York City. M.G. holds a master's degree in Special Education from Point Loma Nazarene University. He spent seven years teaching in the San Diego Unified School District. He has returned to the education community while also pursuing other media opportunities.
Veronica Placencia
CHAPTER GOVERNOR
Joe Smith
Chapter Governor
United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire (UCPIE)
A two-time Emmy winner who was inducted into the Dayton (Ohio) Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Joe Smith is a respected broadcast journalist whose career has spanned the United States. From 2018 - 2021, he served as co-anchor of "NBC Palm Springs Today," receiving a 2021 Emmy nomination for Program Host/Moderator/Correspondent from the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

As a business reporter for KGW-TV in Portland, Oregon, he earned an Emmy Award for news writing from the NATAS Northwest Chapter
.
For his role as host and executive producer of a nightly public affairs program on Milwaukee Public Television in Wisconsin, he received an Emmy Award from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of NATAS.

He received five additional Emmy nominations for his work at stations including WWLP-TV (Springfield, Massachusetts), WXEX-TV (Richmond, Virginia), KLVX-TV (Las Vegas, Nevada) Florida’s News Channel (Tallahassee, Florida) and WVNY/WFFF-TV (Burlington, Vermont).

A past president of the Milwaukee Press Club, Joe Smith also hosted a weekend talk and call-in program on Milwaukee’s WTMJ Radio.

In addition to serving on the Board of Governors of the NATAS Pacific Southwest Chapter, he is vice chair of the Board of Trustees of United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire (UCPIE).

Michael Taylor
Chapter Governor
NWB Environmental Servicel, LLC.
Mr. Taylor is an infantry veteran after 13 1/2 years of honorable service in the United States Marine Corps. He is an alumnus of San Diego City College with an Associate degree in Anthropology and a certificate in Archeology. He transferred from City to Columbia University in the City of New York where he graduated with a degree in Anthropological Archeology. He has provided two $500 scholarships to City College archeology students each year for the past 5 years.

He serves on the board of Directors for The Globe theatre, the 5th largest regional theatre in the United States outside of New Tork City. He was appointed by Mayor Todd Gloria to serve on the Historical Resources Board for the city of San Diego.

Michael Taylor is a filmmaker and President of NWB Imaging, a cinematic film production company, specializing in corporate videos and aerial cinematography. He has written, directed, and produced short films and various other film productions.

He is the host, director, and producer of Theatre Corner (http://theatre-corner.org). a 2021 EMMY Award-winning theatre interview series dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the national theatre scene, both on the stage and in the seats. Through the show, he spotlights Black actors, playwrights, directors, and other theatre, television, and film professionals. The show can be seen on KPBS, and on the PBS website and app.

Michael is the director and producer of a show called Fresh Glass, hosted by Cassandra Schaeg. Fresh Glass has been acquired by KPBS, and American Public Television, and will debut in fall 2022.

Kyle Wilcox
CHAPTER GOVERNOR