NMBA Awards and Recognitions
It’s not every day that competitors become cheerleaders—but that’s exactly what happened at the 2025 NMBA Celebration & Recognition Luncheon. Held at the Marriott Albuquerque, the event brought together broadcasters from across New Mexico for an afternoon filled with laughter, heartfelt moments, and well-earned applause.
The room buzzed with energy as industry friends and rivals—many of whom don’t often find themselves in the same room—came together to honor the people and stations whose leadership, creativity, and commitment set the gold standard in local broadcasting.
One of the event’s most memorable moments was the induction of Charlie Blanco, longtime Station Manager for KOBF and KOBR, into the NMBA Hall of Fame. Charlie’s 25+ year legacy of service to the Four Corners region and his unwavering leadership earned him a standing ovation and a permanent place in NMBA history.
Also deeply moving was the posthumous presentation of the inaugural Bill Anderson North Star in Broadcasting Awards, created to honor the late Bill Anderson’s commitment to community-focused, high-integrity broadcasting. This year’s recipients (pictured below) were:
Franz Joachim, CEO and General Manager of PBS New Mexico, recognized for decades of visionary leadership in public media.
Carolyn Rush, Community Relations Director and Production Manager at KRQE, honored for her tireless work and deep impact behind the scenes.
The celebration also recognized the 2025 NMBA Stations of the Year, selected from a record number of submissions:
       Small Market Radio – KNCE, True Taos Radio, Taos
       Medium Market Radio – KZOR, Noalmark Broadcasting, Hobbs
       Large Market Radio – KGRT, Adams Radio, Las Cruces
       Metro Market Radio – KKOB, Cumulus Media, Albuquerque
        Television – KOB-TV, Hubbard Broadcasting, Albuquerque
A full list of winners in all categories is available here. To see past winners, visit the  Excellence in Broadcasting Awards page.
Following the luncheon, NMBA members gathered for the annual All-Member Meeting, where industry collaboration continued. During the meeting, Lori Waldon, President & CEO of KOAT 7 (Albuquerque), passed on the Chairman’s gavel to the next NMBA Chair, Michael Smith of Bravo Mic Communications (Las Cruces).
- Jeff Berry of Cumulus Media was elected to the NMBA Executive Committee as Treasurer.
- New members elected to the 2025–2027 NMBA Board of Directors include:
  • Jeff Miller, Nexstar (KRQE), Albuquerque
  • Sammy Chioda, Millennium Media, Gallup
  • Jonathan Chandler, Chandler Broadcasting, Carlsbad
Their election reflects the NMBA’s continued commitment to strong industry leadership and statewide representation.
As we reflect on this afternoon of shared pride, purpose, and partnership, we’re already looking ahead to what’s next—our NMBA 2026 State Convention, celebrating 75 years of broadcasting in New Mexico. If you’re interested in helping shape this historic event, we invite you to be part of the planning team. Please reach out to Monica Armenta at monicaarmenta@nmba.
Together, we’ll keep local broadcasting strong, relevant, and rooted in every New Mexican community we serve.
The celebration also recognized the 2025 NMBA Stations of the Year, selected from a record number of submissions:
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       Small Market Radio – KNCE, True Taos Radio, Taos
       Medium Market Radio – KZOR, Noalmark Broadcasting, Hobbs
       Large Market Radio – KGRT, Adams Radio, Las Cruces
       Metro Market Radio – KKOB, Cumulus Media, Albuquerque
        Television – KOB-TV, Hubbard Broadcasting, AlbuquerqueFollowing the luncheon, NMBA members gathered for the annual All-Member Meeting, where industry collaboration continued. During the meeting, Lori Waldon, President & CEO of KOAT 7 (Albuquerque), passed on the Chairman’s gavel to the next NMBA Chair, Michael Smith of Bravo Mic Communications (Las Cruces).
- Jeff Berry of Cumulus Media was elected to the NMBA Executive Committee as Treasurer.
- New members elected to the 2025–2027 NMBA Board of Directors include:
  • Jeff Miller, Nexstar (KRQE), Albuquerque
  • Sammy Chioda, Millennium Media, Gallup
  • Jonathan Chandler, Chandler Broadcasting, Carlsbad
Their election reflects the NMBA’s continued commitment to strong industry leadership and statewide representation.
As we reflect on this afternoon of shared pride, purpose, and partnership, we’re already looking ahead to what’s next—our NMBA 2026 State Convention, celebrating 75 years of broadcasting in New Mexico. If you’re interested in helping shape this historic event, we invite you to be part of the planning team. Please reach out to Monica Armenta at monicaarmenta@nmba.
Together, we’ll keep local broadcasting strong, relevant, and rooted in every New Mexican community we serve.
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A full list of winners in all categories is available here.
To see past winners, visit the  Excellence in Broadcasting Awards page.
The Hall of Fame award is presented to an individual or entity who has illustrated over time a consistent and unique impact on the broadcast industry in New Mexico. The nominee’s contributions may have resulted in a wide range of outcomes, including, but not limited to, enhancing the quality of broadcasting in New Mexico and/or improving service to their community through their broadcasting efforts.
Zia Award for Broadcasting Excellence is awarded to individual or groups of individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding and exceptional contribution to the broadcast industry in New Mexico within the past calendar year. Through their work, the candidate must have demonstrated a deep commitment to the continued success of their station, the industry and/or the Association.
The NMBA North Star Award is a tribute to the legendary broadcaster Bill Anderson, who dedicated his life to the broadcast industry, spending the last 25 years of his remarkable career at KRQE in Albuquerque.
Known as a fierce yet fair competitor, Bill was deeply committed to mentoring broadcasters, celebrating their successes and fostering a spirit of collaboration between competitors.Â
The NMBA North Star Award honors a broadcaster who exemplifies Bill’s professional excellence, personal integrity, and visionary spirit, continuing his legacy of bringing out the best in others.
The Bill Anderson North Star in Broadcasting Award will honor a broadcaster who exemplifies Bill’s professional excellence, personal integrity, and visionary spirit, continuing his legacy of bringing out the best in others. Bill dedicated his life to the broadcast industry, spending the last 25 years of his remarkable career at KRQE in Albuquerque.
Annual deadline is April 26
The Hall of Fame award is presented to an individual or entity who has illustrated over time a consistent and unique impact on the broadcast industry in New Mexico. The nominee’s contributions may have resulted in a wide range of outcomes, including, but not limited to, enhancing the quality of broadcasting in New Mexico and/or improving service to their community through their broadcasting efforts.
Annual deadline is April 26
Zia Award for Broadcasting Excellence is awarded to individual or groups of individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding and exceptional contribution to the broadcast industry in New Mexico within the past calendar year. Through their work, the candidate must have demonstrated a deep commitment to the continued success of their station, the industry and/or the Association.
Deadline is April 26.
Each year the NMBA recognizes the best work submitted by our member stations from the previous year. From the winners of the individual award categories, Stations of the Year are determined for each division.
To see past winners, visit the Excellence in Broadcasting Awards page.
Deadline is April 12
FRIENDS OF BROADCASTERS
The NMBA consistently recoginizes those persons who have given time and effort to the broadcasting industry in New Mexico. Over the years, the Board of Directors of the NMBA has recognized politicians, FCC officials, advertisers and more.
To suggest a candidate, please contact the NMBA.
The Hall of Fame award is presented to an individual or entity who has illustrated over time a consistent and unique impact on the broadcast industry in New Mexico. The nominee’s contributions may have resulted in a wide range of outcomes, including, but not limited to, enhancing the quality of broadcasting in New Mexico and/or improving service to their community through their broadcasting efforts.
Annual deadline is April 26
Zia Award for Broadcasting Excellence is awarded to individual or groups of individuals who’ve demonstrated an outstanding & exceptional contribution to the broadcast industry in New Mexico within the past calendar year. Through their work, the candidate must have demonstrated a deep commitment to the continued success of their station, the industry and/or the Association.
Deadline is April 26.
Each year the NMBA recognizes the best work submitted by our member stations from the previous year. From the winners of the individual award categories, Stations of the Year are determined for each division.
To see past winners, visit our Excellence in Broadcasting Awards page.
Deadline is April 12