Emmy® Awards

DENNIS THATCHER - Governor’s Award

Dennis Thatcher was first an active Governor and Officer of the Cleveland Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He became active again with Lower Great Lakes Chapter in 2006. Two years later he assumed the duties of Chapter Administrator and has held that position through five Emmy Awards Gala events. Through his leadership, the chapter has matured from a cumbersome, “paper system” to a virtually paperless organization where nearly everything can be accomplished on-line. He has also provided the organization with an office in Westlake, OH and a friendly voice when someone calls: 440-526-EMMY.

The Administrator position is a full-time job for individuals who manage the day-to-day activities of the other 18 NATAS chapters across the country. The Lower Great Lakes Chapter has the unique distinction of having an Administrator who already has another fulltime job. Dennis Thatcher’s primary position is President & C. O. O. of Mission Broadcasting, Inc.

Dennis, a Cleveland native, got his start in the business in the mid 1970’s. He has held sales, sales management, station management and executive management positions with WJW-TV/Cleveland, WCLQ-TV/Cleveland, WOIO & WUAB/Cleveland, Paxson Communications Group, Corporate Media Group and Eagle Creek Broadcasting. In his current position, he oversees fifteen full-power commercial television stations in medium and small markets.

He is a past President of The Cleveland Association of Broadcasters and a former member of the Board of Trustees of The City Club of Cleveland. In addition, he has served as an advisor to the Communications School of John Carroll University. He has also served on the boards of The American Cancer Society, The Diabetes Association, Freedom House, the Tri-C Jazz Festival and the Urban League of Greater Cleveland.

Dennis Thatcher is a graduate of Cleveland State University where he majored in Psychology, a field that has served him well in interacting with the “interesting” personalities with whom he deals on a daily basis. He is blessed with two daughters, Aimee and Colleen and two granddaughters, Elle and Zoe.