Cronkite Endowment Board of Trustees

About the Endowment Board

Cronkite's Endowment Board of Trustees is composed of top media leaders from across the Valley. Trustees advise the dean, support students through mentorship and internship and career opportunities, and philanthropically support the school's priority funding needs. Trustees also help spearhead the school's signature fundraising event, the Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism.

• Richard Barone, vice president, Cox Media; co-chair, Student Experience committee
• Battinto L. Batts Jr., dean and professor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
• Kim Covington, vice president, strategic partnerships, Arizona Community Foundation; member, Student Experience committee
• Christine Dotts, head of public relations, TSMC Arizona; board president
• Ryan Hatch, senior vice president and market manager, Bonneville Phoenix; co-chair, Student Experience committee
• Anita Helt, vice president and general manager, ABC15 Arizona; past president
• Fran Mallace, chief executive officer, Make-A-Wish Arizona; co-chair, Development committee
• Ray Schey, publisher, Phoenix Business Journal; chair, Academic Experience committee
• John Schurz, president and general manager, Orbitel Communications; co-chair, Development committee

• Adriane Youngblood, President, Arizona Division Clear Channel Outdoor
• Alan Bunnell, Senior consultant – strategic communication, APS
• Andrew Deschapelles, President and General Manager, Telemundo Arizona
• Anita Helt, Vice President and General Manager, ABC15/KNXV-TV
• Christine Dotts, Head of Public Relations, TSMC Arizona
• Chris Kline, President and CEO, AZ Media Association
• Clancy Woods, Co-founder, CEO and Director, AFCM, Inc.
• Crystal Jennings, VP, Public Relations LT
• Damon Gross, Manager of Content and Editorial Operations, Freeport-McMoRan
• Dave Nobs, Managing Director, Growth & Development, LAVIDGE
• David Bodney, Senior Counsel, Ballard Spahr LLP
• Debbie Bush, Vice President/General Manager, KTVK/KPHO Arizona’s Family
• Derrick Hall, President and CEO, Arizona Diamondbacks
• Fran Mallace, CEO, Make-A-Wish Arizona
• Gordon James, Owner, Gordon C. James Public Relations
• Greg Burton, Executive Editor, The Arizona Republic
• Jamie Ernst, Executive Vice President, Brodeur Partners
• Jessica Moran, Medical Communications - External Affairs, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
• John Schurz, Senior Vice President of People and Culture, Schurz Communications
• Kate Morris, President and General Manager, 12 News (KPNX-TV)
• Kelly Mero, Publisher, Arizona Highways Magazine
• Kim Covington, Vice President, Community Initiatives Arizona Community Foundation
• Linda Little, President, Arizona Region iHeartMedia
• Matthew Kelley, of Counsel, Ballard Spahr LLP
• Meagan Jackman, President and CMO, The Harkey Group
• Michael Lewis, Senior Vice President and General Manager, FOX 10
• Michael Mallace, Radio Professional, NA
• Mike Noble, Founder and CEO, Noble Predictive Insights
• Ray Schey, Publisher, Phoenix Business Journal
• Richard Barone, Vice President, Cox Media Arizona
• Robert Stieve, Editor in Chief, Arizona Highways Magazine
• Roger Hurni, Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer, Off Madison Ave
• Ryan Hatch, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Bonneville Phoenix
• Susan Bitter Smith, Executive Director, Southwest Cable Communications Association
• Susan Karis, Vice President of Sales, Hubbard Radio Phoenix
• Tim Riester, Founder and CEO, RIESTER
• Battinto L. Batts Jr., Dean and Professor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
• Rebecca Blatt, Senior Associate Dean and Professor, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication