John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award
Named for the founder and first president of RTDNA, the John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual's contributions to the journalism profession and freedom of the press. Given since 1959, the award is presented annually at the Radio Television Digital News Association's annual conference.
2025 Recipient: Sandy Breland
Sandy Breland, Gray Media's executive vice president and chief operating officer, received the 2025 John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association.
“Sandy Breland’s career is a testament to the power and impact of local journalism. From her early days in the newsroom to her leadership of one of the largest media companies in the country, she has consistently championed integrity, public service and community connection,” said RTDNA Chair Sheryl Worsley.
A longtime advocate for local journalism, Breland has dedicated nearly 40 years to the news industry. She currently oversees operations in Gray’s 113 markets across the country.
2024: Andrew Heyward
2023: Boyd Huppert
2022: Richard Engel
2021: Soledad O'Brien
2020: Yamiche Alcindo
2019: John Quiñones
2018: Pete Williams
2017: Jake Tapper
2016: Jeffrey Marks
2015: Pierre Thomas
2014: Harvey Nagler
2013: Belva Davis
2012: Jorge Ramos
2011: Lara Logan
2010: Bob Priddy
2009: Barbara Cochran
2006: Christopher Glenn
2005: Don Fitzpatrick
2000: Stanley S. Hubbard, Jack Shelley
1999: Hugh Downs
1997: Walter Cronkite
1996: Sherlee Barish
1992: Terry Anderson
1991: Brian Lamb, Ed Godfrey, Bob Packwood, John Spain
1989: Gordon Manning, Dick Yoakum
1988: Vernon Stone
1987: Malvin Goode, J. Laurent Scharff
1986: Robert Byrd, Mark Fowler
1985: Ron Laidlaw
1984: Paul Davis
1983: Sig Mickelson
1981: Len Allen
1980: John Salisbury
1979: Rob Downey
1978: Col. Barney Oldfield
1974: Gordon Sinclair
1971: Charlie Edwards
1967: Ted Yates
1964: Robert Kintner
1962: David Sarnoff
1959: Frank Stanton