Congratulations to Randy Simpson, Manager of Aurora’s Television and Cable Services, on being named the 2024 recipient of the Brian Wilson Memorial Award from NATOA, the government telecommunicators organization. This national award recognizes the person whose career has exemplified innovation, leadership and service in the field of government programming and is considered among the industry’s top recognitions. Randy, who has been with AuroraTV since 1986 and the manager for the past 15 years, was honored with a video tribute and standing ovation at NATOA’s annual convention in Charleston, South Carolina. Watch the video tribute to Randy on AuroraTV.org.

AuroraTV was also recognized at the conference with several top national honors in NATOA’s annual Government Programming  Awards. Awards of Excellence are considered first-place recognition; Awards of Distinction are the next-highest recognition, followed by Awards of Honor. Check out the list of AuroraTV’s 2024 awards below, and click on the links to view the award-winning stories:

• News Series – Award of Excellence – “Aurora Now”
• Diversity/Equity/Inclusion – Award of Excellence – “Rebels in the Garden”
• Election Coverage – Award of Excellence – “Election Night 2023”
• Overall Excellence (Operating Budget $500,000-$1 million) – Award of Distinction – “AuroraTV – Excellence in Government Programming”
• Interview/Talk Show – Award of Distinction – “Studio A: Global Fest”
• Animal Services – Award of Distinction – “Prescription Pet Program”
• Profile of a Resident, Business or Organization (Operating Budget $200,000-$600,000) – Award of Distinction – “Monkey Paw Toys”
• Community Awareness (Operating Budget $400,000-$1 million) – Award of Distinction – “A-1 Boxing”
• Videography – Award of Distinction – “AuroraTV – Excellence in Videography”
• Children/Young Adults – Award of Honor – “Water Conservation Service”
• Historical – Award of Honor – “Charles Burrell: Music Legend”
• Historical – Award of Honor – “The Stanley History”
• Special Audience (Operating Budget over $500,000) – Award of Honor – “Opening the Outdoors Through Action Trackchairs”
• Public Service Announcement (Operating Budget over $350,000) – Award of Honor – “Finn the Shark”
• Storytelling – Award of Honor – “AuroraTV – Excellence in Storytelling”

This marks AuroraTV’s 10th win for top News Series. Be sure to catch the latest episode of Aurora Now every week starting Wednesdays at AuroraTV.org, Comcast 8/880, or the AuroraTV app for smartphones and streaming devices.