Mark Allan
Mark Allan is a longtime familiar face on Miami Valley television. He was the prime Anchor on WDTN television for 25 years. His style of reporting has been more than rewarded by the viewers who dearly miss him to this day. Mark came to Dayton television in 1995 from KAKE television in Wichita, Kansas. He also worked at KYEL-TV in Yuma, Arizona and KAET-TV in Phoenix.
Mark graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcasting from Arizona State University.
His popularity in the Dayton community does not extend just to daily work on TV, but also to his numerous appearances in the Miami Valley at many social and charitable events. He served on the board of directors of United Rehabilitation Services, the Miami Valley Crime Stoppers Board for a number of years and numerous other community charitable organizations.
He was always the anchor of the United Rehabilitation Services telethons on WDTN.
Mark is one of the first to say yes when it came to emceeing an event. Mark has been the face of the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame bi-annual dinners always willing to emcee.
Mark Allan retired in September of 2021.
Mike Campbell
Mike graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and began his career at WHIO-TV in 1986 as a videotape editor. He then moved to videography and producing. You could say Mike’s career began with a bang — literally — covering the Miamisburg train derailment in 1986, still the largest derailment creating evacuation in U.S. history. Mike won statewide and area awards for his videography covering news and sports.
Mike’s talent for storytelling made him a natural to move from behind the camera to reporting in front of the camera in the mid to late 90s, but his approach never changed. Find the biggest story and make sure to get the best story.
Mike has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for his Crime and Mental Health stories, as well as breaking news coverage. He’s reported live in all kinds of Miami Valley weather and is a reliable and trusted source of information for Channel 7 viewers.
Mike is known in every corner of the Dayton market s a familiar, friendly face that is first to uncover the BIG story. As of September of 2022, Mike just completed his 36th year serving the community.
Brian Davis
Brian Davis, as of 2022, has been with WDTN television for 38 years. Before that he worked for Weather Stations, Inc.
Brian is from Troy, Ohio, and graduated from Perdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science.
Brian stepped in his role as Chief Meteorologist after Carl Nichols (inducted 2005) retired.
Brian is involved in many charities. He is the Honorary Chairperson for the “Young Multiple Charity Bike Tour,” that raises money for URS. When WDTN televised a telethon for URS, Brian was there. He also gives his time to the Wellness Connection, Alzheimer’s Association and Juvenile Diabetes.
He stays actively involved with the Dayton Cycling Club and playing tennis with various groups around the Dayton area.
Brian is respected by his peers and is viewed as one of Dayton’s favorite meteorologists.
Kevin Fodor / aka / Jason Michaels
Born in Dayton in 1957, Kevin Fodor became enamored with local broadcasting in the 1960s and 70s. Kevin became completely smitten with the notion of becoming a DJ and broadcaster after meeting Big Jim Quinn in the showcase window of WING on West First Street.
Later, Kevin would meet and become long-time friends with local radio legend Gene ‘By Golly” Barry.
His desire to be in radio continued at Miamisburg High School where he and a group of students researched, licensed and built 89.7 WRSF-FM, which debuted in March of 1974 Kevin’s graduation year.
Kevin’s first commercial radio job came in October of 1974 when he accepted a part-time position at WDHK-FM in Wilmington, Ohio.
Two years later Kevin was in his hometown working weekends and swing shift news at WONE and WTUE. His first full-time job was as a news anchor and reporter at WAVI and WDAO.
Kevin landed in Cincinnati as News Director at WCIN-AM at age 23 and was declared as the youngest large market News Director in America by the Radio Television News Directors Association.
Other stations worked include WBZI-FM in Xenia, WING and WCOL before his longest tenure at Cox Media Group in Dayton. There he is known as Jason Michaels on WHIO-AM, Rowdy J on K-99 FM and Jason Roberts on WZLR-FM, the Eagle.
Kevin’s community involvement includes the K99-99.1 FM’s “Cares for Kids” radiothon and back in the day, made numerous appearances on the local MD telethon.
In 2022, Kevin celebrated 47 years in radio.
Raymond Graham
Raymond Graham began his broadcasting career as a staff announcer in 1974 at WGIC/WBZI in Xenia moving to WDAO as an overnight DJ.
After several months as a DJ at WDAO, he was afforded an opportunity to co-host a call-in talk show called “Back Page” with Ronita Hawes-Saunders.
He continued to sharpen his skills in communications by hosting a call-in talk show five days a week on WDAO’s sister station, WAVI for 15 years.
During Raymond’s years in broadcasting, he was invited to participate in a talk show called “Black Viewpoint,” produced by WDTN television.
Despite a busy schedule, Raymond was able to find time to participate in various community public service events. Over the years, Raymond volunteered in many fundraising events and telethons.
After moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Raymond was invited back to Dayton to host WDAO’s Sunday afternoon edition the live call-in talk show, “Back Page.”
Edna Howell-Parrish
Edna Howell, former radio personality, began her radio career at WCXL-FM with her “Jazz Kaleidoscope” show in Dayton. In 1977 she served in several positions at WAVI and WDAO, including News and Public Affairs Director. She was also the editor of the Soul/Sophisticator newspaper published by WDAO from 1980 to 1986.
In a move to Cincinnati in 1986, Edna became News and Public Affairs Director at WCIN before going to WSAI to anchor news. In 1989 she was named News/Public Affairs Director at WIZF-FM and WDBZ for 12 years. While there, she hosted a weekday show called “Straight Talk Live.”
Edna relocated to Atlanta for her husband’s job and was hired as News Anchor and Public Affairs Director at V103-FM.
Her next move was to Austin, Texas, where she anchored News and Traffic for Metro Networks. After years away from the Dayton-Cincinnati area, she returned to care for several family members.
Since returning to the area, Edna now hosts a weekly podcast. She maintains her voice of reason and love for sharing history, news and information to lead multi-generational conversations. Her podcast is live streamed on Facebook and Cincinnati Digital Media.
Robert Moore Junior
As a kid growing up in the Cincinnati area in the early 60s, Robert was always dreaming about working in radio and television.
Due to the lack of Black-owned stations, Bob’s parents did not encourage him to go into that field. But Bob, the risk taker, stuck to his love of radio and television and worked to overcome those barriers by becoming a successful account executive and made history by assisting in building the first and only television station to be owned and operated by African Americans in Dayton, Ohio.
Aside from being an account executive, engineer and community affairs spokesperson for 65 years, Bob opened his home ham radio station during emergencies to the Red Cross, law enforcement and disaster services.
Bob continues to educate new generations about a career in broadcasting as a speaker at schools and community groups.
Bob worked in radio sales at Dayton radio stations WDAO, WING and WONE.
His broadcast career also took him to WLWT in Cincinnati and WTCL-FM in Indianapolis.
Bob left for a few years to take a job in production and engineering in Detroit, Michigan. However, the commuting back and forth to Dayton began to take its toll and in 1984, Bob accepted a position with the Ohio Department of Corrections.
But Bob’s hunger for broadcasting led him back to Dayton and collaboration with a colleague to construct television station WUCT which was on Channel 51, the first owned and operated TV station by African Americans.
Sandy Patton
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Sandy Patton began her television career working behind the scene at the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon.
Sandy was secretary to George Mitchell, the General Manager of WKEF-TV, when in 1974 she was named promotion director. She was the spark behind campaigns for news and programming, including ads in print and on television, radio and billboards. She also supported station promotional activities for significant regional events, including the Bogie Busters.
But it was clearly her calling when it came to the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon where she left her mark. She supported the telethon every year from 1970 through 1993.
At WKEF, she treasured her professional partnerships and close friendships with Don Brown, Jim Graham, Joe Smith and Johnny Walker.
Sandy earned multiple awards over the years, and WKEF recognized her abilities and remarkable contributions by promoting her to Vice President of Promotions.
Despite fighting cancer, she continued her tireless efforts to serve the station and community and to support MDA’s patient services and research. Sandy was just 45 when she lost her battle with cancer.
Jackie Roberts
Jackie Roberts learned her craft working at the Miami University radio station in Oxford while pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree. She graduated in 1981 and went to work at WPTW in Piqua as an announcer, reporter, board operator, continuity director and office manager.
In 1988, Jackie moved on to the Cox Media Group radio stations in Dayton as traffic and continuity director. So capable of multitasking, she began overseeing traffic and continuity for all CMG radio stations in 11 different markets. It was not uncommon for Jackie to work 60 hour work weeks, only to volunteer at the concession stand at a Friday night football game.
Jackie Roberts remained with CMG until her tragic passing in January of 2021.
Steve Ross
For more than 30 years, Steve Ross has served the Dayton area community through Dayton Access Television. The mission of DATV is a community forum that empowers all citizens to learn, create and express their ideas.
Steve is a 1982 graduate of Fairmont State College in Fairmont, West Virginia and joined WKEF-TV in Dayton as a production assistant. In 1984, he was promoted to Director where he directed news, commercials, promos and public informational programming.
In 1989, Steve left WKEF to become Operations Manager of DATV and became Executive Director of the organization in 2008. In 2018, Steve returned to his previous position of Operations Manager.
Deborah Parenti
Lifetime Achievement Award
Deborah Parenti is a lady of all trades. She has worked in Promotion, Sales, Production and as General Manager. Her resume is so impressive that she’s had many newspaper and magazine articles written about her successful career. In 2009, Deborah was inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame for her outstanding achievements in the local broadcast industry. Now Deborah is climbing even higher with her outstanding achievements in the National Media.
In September 2021, Deborah was promoted as the News Publisher of Radio Ink, a division of Streamline Publishing. In that capacity, she handles the Radio Ink, Radio and Television Business Report and the Podcast Business Journal.
Deborah has been with Radio Ink for 15 years and continues to make a difference in the publishing and broadcast media sales of the company.
Deborah has a long history in broadcasting, starting at WING Radio. There she moved up the ranks from promotion to account executive. As an experienced broadcast professional, she broke the glass ceiling in Dayton radio as the first women to manage a major radio station in the market in 1990. As one of the first market consolidators, Deborah developed a sales platform, “Radio First,” and an organizational chart both which became models in the industry. Her career also includes stints in Louisville and Philadelphia.
At Streamline Publishing, she spends most of her time using Radio Ink and their other publications influence to spotlight and promote initiatives that provide outreach, education and advancement for women, minorities and young people who aspire to join the radio industry.
Deborah Parenti is only the third honoree to receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award” since the inception of the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002.
Mia Wortham Spells
Community Service Award
Judge Mia Wortham Spells, a Dayton native, became a Dayton Municipal Court Judge in 2015. She is a graduate of Wilberforce University. In 1986 she earned her Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. Judge Spells served as Assistant Prosecutor in Dayton for six years. She excelled in the position with a 98% conviction rate. After six years as a prosecutor, she opened a community-based law office.
Judge Spells has been very active in the community, serving on many local Boards. As President of the Mercy Manor Board in the early 90s, Judge Spells worked with women coming out of prison. She helped them find a place to live and work. Many have been very successful in turning their lives around.
In 1993, as an attorney, she successfully used the “battered woman defense” in the State vs. Kim Reed case. Reed was physically abused by her husband for over 10 years before she killed him. This was the first time the “battered woman defense” was successful in Montgomery County, Ohio.
Judge Spells was one of the few female lawyers in Montgomery County who handled death penalty cases. She has won judgements in employment discrimination, excessive force, police brutality and ethnic intimidation cases.
In 2002, Judge Spells was the Executive Producer of a video telling the story of school desegregation in Dayton, titled “Brown at 50.” This documentary chronicles the NAACP case involving the desegregation of Dayton Public Schools and won numerous awards. Judge Spells has won many honors and awards, including the Legal Advocacy Award by the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, the National NAACP Foot Soldiers in the Sand Award, United Negro College Fund Alumni Award, Sinclair Community College Nia Award and the Wilberforce University Alumni Award.
Judge Mia Wortham Spells is the proud mother of two sons. One is a Dayton police officer.
Anthony Whitmore
Community Service Award
Anthony “Tony” Whitmore is a name familiary throughout the state of Ohio. Tony served in the administrations of George Voinovich and Robert Taft, two previous governors of Ohio.
As the Governor’s Regional Director for Region IV from 1997 tl 2003, he was responsible for facilitating economic growth in Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties.
Tony Whitmore brought to the State of Ohio an impressive history of administrative, international relations, management and multicultural affairs. Whitmore, Senior Associate of Aurora Associates International Division, was a Senior Administrator and Vocational Advisor for USAID/BANFES Southern Africa.
He has served as Executive Director as well as Director of Education and Training of Dayton Job Corps. Whitmore has extensive background experience as a business and educational consultant, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, college instructor and talk show host. In addition, he has received numerous international awards from Turkey and Africa.
In addition to his numerous awards, Whitmore serves on a wide variety of boards, committees and foundations to include Wright State University and as President of the Martin Luther King SCLC Dayton Chapter.
For several years, Tony served as Director of Government and Community Relations for the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority. He was an enthusiastic advocate for public transportation. Tony retired from RTA in 2016.