Silver Circle inductees honored at event in Cleveland

CLEVELAND – The NATAS Central Great Lakes chapter’s Gold & Silver Circle committee is proud to welcome four longtime members into its illustrious Silver Circle this summer, marking the occasion at an event that also honored four new Gold Circle inductees who are currently in our Silver Circle.

Gold Circle honorees Leon Bibb, Harry Boomer, Bob Hammer and Carl Monday were officially inducted at a special Gold & Silver Circle luncheon event July 24th at the Lakeside Event Center in Cleveland, along with this year’s class of Silver Circle inductees, Linda Jackson, Chuck Lofton, Lisa Lowry and Joe Pagonakis.

Linda Jackson has served the Fort Wayne market for more than 33 years as a television producer, anchor, mentor to aspiring journalists, and as an engaged volunteer and champion for the community.  Her many awards include an induction to the Hall of Fame by Indiana Broadcasters Association.

Chuck Lofton has been in television for almost 43 years. He joined WTHR in 1985 and since then has served Hoosiers as weather reporter, mentor, and volunteer. His gifts as meteorologist and storyteller have earned him numerous awards, including the Sigma Delta Chi award from the Society of Professional Journalists and the 2007 National Broadcaster of the Year from the National Weather Service, and he was named Prodigy of Indianapolis.

Lisa Lowry has over 40 years in the industry as an assignment editor in the WKYC newsroom. She is much revered by her colleagues, who speak of her as the “heart of the newsroom” and the impact she has had on her community and the profession at large.

Joe Pagonakis is a veteran journalist who has served our chapter in three of its markets: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and, since the late 1990s, Cleveland. As an investigative reporter, Joe has served his community and profession with integrity. He inspires his co-workers, is a role model for interns, and has earned the respect even of those who were the target of his stories.