Zach Nelson, News Director at Performance Radio in Huron, SD received the 2015 Tom Brokaw Award at the South Dakota Broadcasters Association Annual Leadership Conference held in Custer State Park, August 14th and 15th. The Award is given in cooperation with the USD Dept of Media and Journalism and recognizes excellence in broadcasting and public affairs. In addition to the recognition, his name will be added to the permanent display of past winners hosted at the Al Neuharth Media Center at USD. The first recipient was former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw in 1981.
Zach Nelson has received the Brokaw for his contributions to the broadcasting industry, foremost for his involvement in the effort to expand coverage of South Dakota Courts with Electronic Media. Zach’s testimony before the SD Supreme Court in 2010 was pivotal in gaining electronic access to the state’s circuit courtrooms. On July 1, 2011, trial court proceedings were aired live for the first time and simulcast on 1340 AM KIVJ, KELO-TV, and performance-radio.com.
Zach has been with Performance Radio since 2008, and is actively involved in the Huron community.
The SD Broadcasters Association is a membership organization that represents South Dakota’s radio and television stations. It provides education, legislative and regulatory assistance to its member stations, and in cooperation with those stations, provides community service to South Dakota.