Joe Sciortino is the Vice President & General Manager of WAFB-TV Channel 9.

Joe is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans and has pursued a steady career in broadcasting. He started at WWL- TV/CBS in New Orleans and in his 19 year stay there worked his way up from studio assistant to Production Manager. From there, Joe moved into Sales and began his career with Raycom Media in 2006, working for 5 years at WAFB-TV/CBS, the powerhouse station in Baton Rouge, LA. From there Joe served as Sales Manager with KAIT-TV/ABC in Jonesboro, AR. He was named VP-General Manager of WDAM/ABC/NBC in Hattiesburg, MS in August of 2013 where he oversaw the complete renovation of their facility.

He joined the KSLA team in Shreveport in April of 2016. Joe and his wife, Suzette, are excited to be moving back to Baton Rouge and to rejoin the WAFB family as VP/General Manager.

Over thirty-two years since his last collegiate game, LSU football fans still know Gordy Rush as an intense, hard-hitting special teams player for the Tigers from 1988-1990. The New Orleans native brings that same fire as the Vice-President/General Manager of Guaranty Media which includes Eagle 98.1, the Flagship Radio Station for LSU Sports. This fall will mark his twenty-fifth season covering LSU football as the Sideline Reporter for the LSU Sports Radio Network and host of LSU Gameday Live on Cox Sports Television.

Rush has collected several prestigious awards including the 2013 Louisiana Association of Broadcasters’ “Broadcaster of the Year” given to the state’s top broadcast executive and the 2009 “Golden Mike Award” for the state’s top on-air talent. He became the first person to win both awards and the youngest person to win the “Broadcaster of the Year” at the age of 44. Rush has also been recognized on Radio Ink’s Top Managers in Radio in the United States on five occasions – (2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020).

Rush, a 1991 graduate of LSU’s E.J. Ourso’s School of Business, orginally attended Purdue University on a football scholarship. After playing a year with the Boilermankers as the backup cornerback to future All-Pro defensive back Rod Woodson, Rush transferred to LSU in 1987. The three-year Tiger letterman was a part of The Sporting News Magazine’s “Best Special Teams Unit” of 1988 and was named LSU’s 1990 Special Teams Player of the Year.

A graduate of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, he is the son of the Beth and the late Gordon Rush II of Gretna, La. and has one sister, Lynn. Rush is married to former LSU All-American softball pitcher Ashley Lewis and have three children – Gordon (“G”) L. Rush IV, Jax Michael, and Jordyn Jean. The couple currently resides in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana.

John started his career at KHOM-FM radio in New Orleans in January 1993 after graduating from Louisiana State University with a degree in Communications.  He was promoted to Local Sales Manager in January 1997 and soon was working in sales management for Clear Channel Communications who purchased KHOM and added KKND-FM to his responsibilities.   

In November 2001 the Beasley New Orleans radio stations were sold and John returned to WGNO-TV where he became Local Sales Manager.  Immediately following Hurricane Katrina John was promoted to General Sales Manager of WGNO and WNOL-TV. 

In May 2010 John was promoted to Vice President/General Manager of WGNO/WNOL-TV, a position he currently holds.  As a lifelong resident of South Louisiana, he has helped orchestrate a more localized feel to both stations via WGNO’s “God Bless Louisiana” campaign, the hyper local “News with a Twist” alternative news program and WNOL-Nola38’s “Only in New Orleans” image campaign.    

John served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 1987 to 1993 and achieved the rank of Sergeant E-5 after two and a half years.  He worked offshore in the Louisiana oil industry during his college summer and holiday breaks to compliment the GI bill.  

A graduate of Archbishop Shaw High School and a member of the Knights of Columbus, John has been married to his wife Melissa since June 1996 and they have two daughters Jordan and Presley.

Born and raised in Carencro, a small town in Southern Louisiana, Tori was always an outspoken, strong-willed and motivated individual. 

Immediately after graduating college, Tori made the decision to relocate to Pensacola Florida… because, why not live at the beach?!  Little did she know, her move would trigger the beginning of her career in Radio.  She was hired by a small independently owned radio group in Pensacola as an Account Executive.  Within 2 years, Tori had climbed the ranks and was consistently the top monthly revenue producer.  Her move to iHeartMedia (Clear Channel at the time), was driven by the desire for increased opportunity.  There she has  grown through the ranks at iHeartMedia – Beginning as an Account Executive, then as General Sales Manager, followed by Senior Vice President of Sales for the Pensacola/Mobile cluster. When she was afforded the opportunity to return to her home state and lead iHeartMedia’s New Orleans Cluster, as Market President, it felt right. 

“I am humbled to have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most talented professionals in the industry, representing the power of iHeartMedia and the heritage of our brands in the market.  The city of New Orleans, its culture, and its people, are un-paralleled.  Born and raised in Louisiana – It feels good to be home!”

Tori now serves as Area President for iHeart Louisiana overseeing operations in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

She resides in Mandeville with her husband and two children and is loving life in The Big Easy!

Jake Manship joined the WBRZ team in 2013. As an President and CEO, he works directly with the general manager and various station departments to facilitate projects and advance the station’s goals. He is also active on multiple boards, including the Manship School Board of Visitors, the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters and Pat’s Coats for Kids.

Jake is a Baton Rouge native, receiving his associate degree in business administration from Baton Rouge Community College before working at The Advocate for seven years. While there, he worked in various departments, including production, human resources and sales among others. As to why he chose a career in television, Jake saw a great opportunity to move to WBRZ and learn the broadcast side of business after his family sold The Advocate.

Outside of work, Jake enjoys spending time with his wife, Meredith, playing outside with his sons Carter and Charlie, and keeping up with LSU sports.

Brian Shirey is the President and General Manager for Northshore Media Group where he manages the operation of 12 radio stations, 4 print publications, podcast and digital product services in Louisiana and Mississippi.

A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, he spent 22 years in the beer industry prior to 2012. He is currently the Chairman for the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, member of the International Broadcasters Idea Bank, past chairman of the Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers for numerous civic and non-profit organizations.

George Sirven serves as Station Manager of KTBS-TV and KPXJ-CW21, a position he has held for 20+ years. His primary job involves day-to-day management and operation of KTBS-TV, KPXJ-CW21 and its affiliated properties, but his true passion is establishing lasting relationships with the business community. He was instrumental in implementing one of the first television management agreements with the former Paxson television network.

Sirven also created two new startup companies under the KTBS umbrella, LifeWise Cable Media and Medical Media. Established in the 90’s, LifeWise Cable Media was a pioneer company establishing a business relationship between cable and broadcast.

George is married to Cheryl Frances Sirven. They have two children: Natalie and William.

Sean Trcalek is Vice President and General Manager of ABC affiliated KATC in Lafayette, formerly with KADN/KLAF/MyNetwork Acadiana. He’s a native of Abbeville and a 1988 graduate of UL-Lafayette.

He began his media career as an Announcer in 1982 at KMDL in Kaplan, and subsequently worked as an announcer, sportscaster and News Director at KROF in Abbeville and KXKW in Lafayette. He began his television career at KATC in 1989 as a Salesperson. He has served as National Sales Manager at KATC, Director of Sales at KTVE-NBC in Monroe, Louisiana, VP/Sales Manager at WVLT-CBS in Knoxville, Tennessee, National Spot Sales Manager for Warner Brothers’ 100+ Station Group in Burbank, California, and as Director of Sales for KADN/KLAF. His media career also includes positions as Press Secretary for Cain for Congress, Director of Development for Delta Media in Carencro, and Regional Sales Manager for Viamedia – a cable ad sales company serving LUS Fiber in Lafayette and Eatel in Baton Rouge. He’s also a professional musician, performing as a guitarist/singer.

His civic involvement has included serving as a Rotarian, Past President of Lafayette’s Breakfast Sertoma Club, and as a Loaned Executive for United Way in Knoxville and in Lafayette. He currently serves on the boards for United Way of Acadiana, Acadiana Open Channel, United Blood Services of Acadiana, and Junior League of Lafayette.

After years of self-inflicted speech classes at Broadmoor High School in Baton Rouge, John Ware briefly attended LSU before changing to UL Lafayette where he graduated with a Bachelors of the Arts degree in Mass Communication. More importantly he met an amazing woman in that program, and she showed either great faith or poor decision making as she became Yvette Ware by marrying John over 40 years ago.

In 1983 John began his full-time broadcasting career in operations with a Lafayette television station where he eventually became the Production Manager. In 1993 John began work at KPLC-TV in Lake Charles where he started as Creative Services Director. In the years that followed he had a brief stint as KPLC’s morning Feature Reporter, served as an Account Executive, and was the General Sales Manager for 10 years before becoming KPLC’s General Manager in July of 2016. John was awarded LAB’s Broadcaster of the Year honor at the 2021 Prestige Awards.  John and Yvette’s only daughter Justine also graduated from ULL prior to attending LSU Law School and then beginning her legal career in 2022.

Mike Neelly is the President and General Manager of WDSU-TV, the Hearst owned NBC affiliate in New Orleans.  He was appointed to the post in October 2021.

Prior to New Orleans, Neelly was President and General Manager of WDSU’s sister station, WAPT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi.

Neelly has spent nearly 30 years working for Hearst TV stations, which also includes WLWT-TV in Cincinnati, OH, and WLKY-TV in Louisville, KY.  In both markets he served as the station’s News Director.

Prior to joining Hearst, Neelly worked in Jackson, MS, Portland, ME and Fort Myers, FL.

Neelly started his broadcast journalism career after graduating from Ole Miss with a degree in English.  

Neelly currently lives in New Orleans with his wife, Cheryl.  Together they have 3 grown children who enjoy visiting the Crescent City throughout the year.

Coming soon.

Nanette Lavergne is the Vice President General Manager for NEWS15 in Lafayette, LA.  She has spent close to 20 years in TV occupying various roles in human resources, sales, and sales management.  Nanette has been with NEWS15, FOX and NBC as the VP General Manager for the last 4 years.  In her time at NEWS15 she has successfully led her team through many changes in the industry and in her local market.  She loves bringing people together and thrives on creating opportunities for her team and her station

Lisa Janes, hometown Shreveport-Bossier City girl, began her career in the radio field in 1993 after four years as a classroom teacher in Bossier Parish.

She began her media career as an outside seller for stand-alone KRMD AM/FM. Since then has worn many hats from General Sales Manager to the Director of Sales while working in the AM/FM and Capstar/Gulfstar ownership period.

Lisa Janes and the Townsquare Media Shreveport/Bossier City crew are involved in multiple facets in the marketplace including: Mudbug Madness, The Robinson Film Center, Philadelphia Center, American Cancer Society, Louisiana Blood Bank, Give for Good, Susan Komen Friday in Pink, Bossier Sheriff’s In God We Trust Campaign, Hunters for the Hungry, Battle on the Border, Sleep Out 4 Independence and many, many more. Kiss Country is the proud recipient of 2014’s Large Market Station of the Year Prestige Award and 96.5 KVKI FM is also honored with the Best Website Prestige Award for 2014.

An LSU graduate, Lisa Janes is an avid college sports fan and cheers the Tigers on year-round.

Elizabeth Blackstock joined the Cumulus  team  in Lake Charles in 2014 as Market Manager and later became Regional Vice President – Market Manager for Cumulus Media overseeing the operations of the Beaumont, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana markets.   She started her media career almost 40 years ago in Orange, Texas as an Account Executive and GM then later worked as General Manager for Stephens Broadcasting, Director of Sales for AM-FM/GulfStar and Clear Channel before joining Cumulus Media.  Elizabeth and her husband John have 4 boys and 5 grandchildren. 

Arthur “Bo” Hoover began his professional career 1978 in audio, video, technology, and broadcasting. Currently serving as President and Owner of Technical Services Group, inc. founded 1989.

Building a team and capabilities within TSG; once an actual Broadcast owner, currently serving clients with design, construction, engineering, and maintenance with aligned technologies for facilities inside and out of traditional broadcast markets worldwide. TSG’s completion, support, and services to thousands of installations and facilities within nine of the top ten, coast to coast. Including work within The World Trade Center, NY and Mt. Wilson, Las Angeles, markets in between with an estimated billion career watts ERP served.

Enjoys advanced problem solving, industry advocacy, the never-ending challenges presented by owners, universities, Broadcasters, and clients wherever possible within the fields of “Technology, Management, Noise, and Pictures.”  Vested in serving, education, science, and engineering; occasionally liking to sleep, adds emphasis for using every experience good and bad to aspire for 99.999% reliability, the highest quality and performance within every project.

Polly joined the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters in January 2010, when her predecessor retired in February of 2013 she was promoted to President/CEO. Prior to 2010 Polly was in the hospitality industry for 28 years.

Mrs. Johnson is the past President of both the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations and the Louisiana Society of Association Executives. She also serves on the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education and the Louisiana Legislators Task Force for Public Records Law.

Polly and her husband David live in Baton Rouge and they have two sons who also reside in Baton Rouge.