2026
WISCONSIN
Honorees
Lance ALLAN
Lance Allan always dreamed of covering sports in his home state of Wisconsin. After more than three decades on the air, he’s honored to still live that dream.
Allan grew up in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, graduating from Rice Lake High School. Passionate about broadcasting, he started working for Rice Lake’s WJMC AM/FM his junior year. He attended UW-Barron County and later UW-Madison, majoring in broadcast journalism.
After an internship at WMTV-TV in Madison, Allan thought he’d jump right into sports. But, as Allan likes to remind people, God has a sense of humor. His first job was as the main weathercaster at WJFW-TV in Rhinelander, along with news reporting and anchoring duties. After two-plus years, Allan settled into sports, starting as sports reporter/weekend anchor at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, where he covered a rising Packers team.
In 1996, Allan came to WTMJ-TV. Three decades. Three Super Bowls. Three Final Four runs for Wisconsin, one for Marquette. Brewers’ playoff runs. The Bucks’ 2021 NBA title. The U.S. Ryder Cup victory at Whistling Straits, Badgers’ Rose Bowl games, an interview with Brett Favre at the Packers Hall of Fame ceremony in front of 68,000 fans. Hosting “The Mike McCarthy Show.” Serving as the Packers TV Network preseason sideline reporter. Interviews ranging from Tiger Woods to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s first news conference to the first interview at Lambeau Field of Aaron Rodgers. All unforgettable experiences.
In 2024, Allan made a move to a new station. His dedication to Milwaukee, southeastern Wisconsin and his home state remained strong as he accepted the sports director job at CBS 58 (WDJT-TV), continuing his passion for storytelling with legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Paul Molitor, to rising stars like Kon Knueppel and Jordan Stolz.
With such strong ties to the community, Allan remains in demand for roles on the Badgers Radio Network, co-hosting “Inside Marquette Basketball” with Shaka Smart, announcing work with U.S. Speedskating and INDYCAR, and numerous charitable and faith-based events.
Through it all, Allan knows that what he calls “working in the toy department” would not be possible without the loving support of his wife and three kids.
MARK BADEN
Mark Baden continues to live out a dream. His love of weather started when he was a kid, and now he gets to “geek out” about the weather every day on WISN-TV. The duality of being a scientist and a broadcaster is a daily challenge. The goal is always finding the best way to inform and educate in an entertaining way.
After graduating from Western Illinois University in 1992, Baden moved quickly from job to job across the Midwest: KMIZ-TV in Columbia, Missouri to KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa to KMOV-TV in St. Louis, Missouri to his first chief meteorologist job at WOI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa. In March of 1997, WISN hired Baden as their chief meteorologist. Twenty-eight years later, there are no regrets.
One of the greatest blessings of Baden’s career has been to work with an incredible group of broadcasters, many of whom are also Silver Circle honorees. It is their passion and commitment to excellence that continue to make all of us better communicators and storytellers.
Baden cherishes the number of incredible experiences that have come with his position: tornadoes, blizzards, floods, droughts, heat waves, polar vortexes, two hurricanes (no, not in Wisconsin) and many more. Live weather reports on a camel, elephant, horse, llama, and mechanical bull stand out as fun memories.
He has won numerous awards, including a Chicago/Midwest Emmy® for flood coverage in 2008.
Baden has always made time to help numerous causes in southeastern Wisconsin. Among them are Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Children’s Wisconsin, the MACC Fund, COA Youth & Family Centers, Interfaith, Gigi’s Playhouse/Down Syndrome Achievement Center, Autism Society, Wisconsin Humane Society, Make-A-Wish, Vision Forward and Ozaukee Food Alliance. Baden has also been an adjunct professor at Concordia University for the past 20 years.
Baden and his wife Heather are the proud parents of three wonderful daughters. Nothing gets Baden smiling more than talking about Grace, Claire and Kate. He hopes he has instilled in them what his parents taught him: treat everyone with the same respect. From the custodian to the CEO, all deserve to be treated equally.
ANNE BROWN
Anne Brown is the vice president and general manager of Weigel Broadcasting’s Milwaukee television stations, overseeing CBS 58 (WDJT-TV), WMLW-TV, Telemundo Wisconsin and MeTV.
Brown is a people-focused leader known for her competitive drive, attention to detail, and ability to build thriving, collaborative cultures. She leads with a clear philosophy: when people feel valued, listened to, and challenged, they perform at their best.
Brown grew up in southern California, moved to the Midwest and graduated from Ohio State (it wasn’t THE Ohio State University then).
After college, Brown started her career in Columbus, Ohio where it took three tries before she was finally hired as an associate producer at WBNS-TV. From there, Brown gained national experience at WUSA-TV and The Associated Press in Washington, D.C. where she met her husband, Mike. They moved to Milwaukee to be close to family and Brown spent several years at WITI-TV. They’ve raised three fabulous kids, and Brown has been shaping local broadcasting in the market for almost three decades.
Over the years, Brown has produced top-rated newscasts, led large-scale special event coverage, developed new programming, and spearheaded innovative partnerships that strengthened newsroom capabilities and community impact. Her work reflects a blend of editorial instincts and strategic vision — along with the competitive spirit and humor that have shaped her leadership style.
During Brown’s time at the Weigel stations in Milwaukee, CBS 58 and Telemundo Wisconsin have proudly earned several Emmy®, Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, and Milwaukee Press Club awards. She is Emmy®-nominated herself and has been recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal with a Women of Influence award.
Outside the broadcast world, her competitive streak doesn’t rest; she’s completed multiple triathlons and comes from a family where sports are practically a second language. And speaking of family, here’s a fun fact: Brown’s sister, Kelly Frank, is also a general manager of a television station! Kelly runs KYW-TV, the CBS station in Philadelphia.
Brown continues to guide Milwaukee’s Weigel stations with heart, humor and an unwavering focus on excellence. She is proud to accept the Silver Circle Award and thrilled to be in the company of Al, Bill, Cary, Jeff, Lance, Mark and Patty.
CARY DOCTER
Cary Docter has always been drawn to writing. But it wasn’t until attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee that he realized he could turn writing into a career through journalism and broadcasting. He is forever grateful for the encouragement of Pat Hastings, whose guidance at UWM pushed him outside of his comfort zone.
Jill Geisler and Mark Zoromski hired Docter at WITI-TV in February 1990, during his last semester at UWM. He was brought in as a part-time weekend assignment editor. After three months, he joined the ranks of the video editors. By December, Docter was offered an opportunity to produce “WakeUp News.” Newscast anchors Roseann St. Aubin and Mark Concannon helped lay the foundation for Docter’s producing skills.
Over the next 16 years, Docter produced all the newscasts the station had to offer. The last eight of those years, he produced the 10 p.m. newscast with Joyce Garbaciak and Ted Perry, who arguably played the biggest role in shaping his writing and producing style. It was also during those later years that Docter produced a special celebrating WITI’s 50 years of broadcasting, earning a Chicago/Midwest Emmy® Award.
In 2006, another opportunity arose that Docter could not resist. With the future of TV news in digital, Docter was named the station’s first digital content manager. He has held that role since, guiding the digital strategy for the station.
Over the last 20 years, Docter and his dedicated team of digital content producers have earned countless awards, including five regional Edward R. Murrow awards for best website and excellence in social media. The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association twice awarded FOX6 News “Social and Digital Media Station of the Year.”
Outside of TV news, Docter was married 31 years to his high school sweetheart, Nancy, who passed from breast cancer in 2023. He relishes every moment with his children, Alyssa and Ryan, their spouses, and his grandchildren, who bring smiles and energy to every day.
Every year, Docter takes part in multiple fundraisers to benefit breast cancer research, including the Komen Wisconsin and Making Strides Against Cancer walks in Milwaukee. He is also an avid bicyclist and motorcyclist.
bill jartz
Sports has long been a big part of Bill Jartz’s life. Raised in Clintonville, Wisconsin, Jartz was an all-state high school football player and received an athletic scholarship to Northwestern University, graduating in 1980 with a journalism degree.
Jartz began his career as the 10 p.m. sports anchor at WSAW-TV in Wausau before moving to WBAY-TV in Green Bay, the station he grew up watching.
As WBAY’s sports director, Jartz won the admiration of northeast Wisconsin's sports fans, performing play-by-play duties for pre-season Packer games and hosting the award-winning "Monday Night Kick-Off” throughout the regular season. He earned the Wisconsin High School Baseball Coaches Association Media Award in 1989.
In 1998, Jartz followed the path of another WBAY sports veteran, Chuck Ramsay, to assume a new challenge as 10 p.m. news anchor. Four years later, he followed Ramsay’s footsteps again to co-anchor the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts.
Jartz is on the board of directors for both the Green Bay Packers and the Packers Hall of Fame. And if you’ve ever attended a Packers home game, you know his voice. He’s been the public address announcer since 2005.
Jartz is proud of his work with the organization CP, which offers services to individuals of all abilities and produces the longest running local telethon in the country. Jartz also supports Make-A-Wish, Curative Connections, Ducks Unlimited and many others. The Volunteer Center of Brown County honored him with its Heart of Gold Lifetime Achievement Award, and he was named Volunteer of the Year for East Central Wisconsin at the Governor’s Service Awards.
In 2024, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association honored Jartz with its “Local Broadcast Legend” distinction. Upon his retirement in 2025, Green Bay leaders gave him a key to the city, while Clintonville named him an honorary citizen.
Jartz and his wife Mary have been married since 1984. They share their lives with three dogs and enjoy relaxing with friends at home. Jartz's other interests include hunting, fishing, physical fitness and collecting antique John Deere tractors. When the opportunity arises, he also likes helping at a friend's dairy farm. "It takes me back to my roots," Jartz said.
Jeff Kiernan
Jeff Kiernan credits his parents for his life-long love of journalism. His curiosity was sparked watching his dad pore over the daily newspaper, gathering with the family every Sunday at the tick of the 60 Minutes stopwatch, and chasing down local emergency sirens with his mom. Growing up in Munster, Indiana, he was so captivated by Chicago’s Channel 2 (WBBM-TV) News that he would race to the basement, grab his Mr. Microphone, and read the newspaper over a recording of the station’s theme music.
By the time Kiernan arrived at Marquette University in 1983 he knew he wanted to be a TV reporter, his brown trench coat proof as he reported stories across campus. After graduating, he started working the assignment desk at WISN-TV before crossing town to WTMJ-AM as an anchor/reporter. The WTMJ-TV assignment desk came calling and Kiernan rose through the ranks to become the station’s youngest news director at 29.
After 15 years, Kiernan channeled his inner Mary Tyler Moore and headed to Minneapolis as news director at WCCO-TV, followed by leadership roles at other CBS Owned & Operated stations: WBZ-TV, Boston, and his childhood favorite, WBBM-TV, Chicago.
Kiernan returned to WTMJ-TV in 2018 as senior director of news under new owner, the E.W. Scripps Company. But his Milwaukee encore was brief. Scripps soon tapped him as news director at WXYZ-TV/WMYD-TV in Detroit, then as vice president and general manager of KTNV-TV/KMCC-TV in Las Vegas.
In 2024 Scripps elevated Kiernan to vice president of local news. He now oversees the local news content strategy for the company’s more than 60 television stations across 40 markets. The role brought him back to Milwaukee as a work/home base, which he calls a true gift.
A proud Marquette alum, Kiernan has mentored numerous students and has been honored by the university with several achievement awards. He founded the George E. and Margaret S. Kiernan and family scholarship to support diverse and first-generation journalism and media students.
Kiernan admits his work/life balance hasn’t always been perfectly balanced. He recharges with family, friends, and travel (with his Irish passport!) which, he says, further shapes his values and perspective in his personal and professional life.
AL LANCASTER
Al Lancaster was born and raised on a 150-acre dairy farm in Argyle, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1978, starting his on-air career at WSUP-FM in college.
He spent most of his more than 40-year career as a leader at Wisconsin radio and TV stations. The stations he led were successful by numerous measures including award recognition, profit margins and community service.
Lancaster started his professional career at WEKZ-AM in Monroe. He moved into sales at Mid-West Family in La Crosse, quickly becoming one of the radio group’s top sellers. He shifted to television at WKOW-TV in Madison, then as national sales manager at WXOW-TV/WQOW-TV in La Crosse/Eau Claire. He held leadership roles at WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan and WEAU-TV in Eau Claire before shifting to station management.
Lancaster was station manager at WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV in La Crosse/Eau Claire for five years. In 2000, he made his final career move to WSAW-TV (later to include WZAW-TV) in Wausau, serving as vice president and general manager until his retirement in 2023.
The stations won numerous awards during his tenure, including the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Small Market Station of the Year for five consecutive years as well as honors for their commitment to community service. His highlight moment at WSAW was hosting a 9/11 fundraising telethon two days after the tragedy, raising $125,000 in a seven-hour telethon with only two days planning.
Lancaster is grateful for his exceptional news directors at WSAW, all of whom have gone on to success in larger markets: Sue Ramsett, retired senior vice president at Gray Television; Mikel Lauber, currently news director at WOWT-TV, Omaha; Jessica Laszewski, now vice president and general manager at WSAW; Sarah Gray, now executive news trainer at Gray; and Bridget Fargen, now news director at WMTV-TV, Madison.
Lancaster is dedicated to broadcasting and the spirit of community service that comes with being a great broadcaster. He served as chair for both the WBA Board and WBA Foundation Board and was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2023. He has served on the Wausau Chamber of Commerce board and is chair-elect at the Woodson YMCA.
PATTY LOEW
Patty Loew is a professor emerita at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and the inaugural and now retired director of NU's Center for Native American and Indigenous Research. Lowe, a citizen of Mashkiiziibiig, the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, is a former broadcast journalist in public and commercial television.
Loew produced many documentaries for public and commercial television, including the award-winning “Way of the Warrior,” which aired nationally on PBS. Her documentaries have explored cultural expression through sports including baseball (“Tinkers to Evers to Chief)” and lacrosse (“Sacred Stick”) as well as contemporary resistance to environmental threats (“Protect Our Future”).
Between 1975 and 2011, she anchored newscasts on WXOW-TV in La Crosse and WKOW-TV in Madison, did travel reporting at KHQ-TV in Spokane, Washington and KATU-TV in Portland, Oregon, and hosted news and public affairs programs, including “WeekEnd” and “In Wisconsin,” for PBS Wisconsin. She was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2024.
Loew, a 2019 inductee of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and recipient of Wisconsin’s 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Heritage Award, has written extensively about Ojibwe treaty rights, sovereignty and the role of Native media in communicating indigenous world views. She is a former member of the national board of directors for both UNITY: Journalists of Color and the Native American Journalists Association.
She is the author of “Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal,” which won the Wisconsin Library Association's Outstanding Book Award; “Native People of Wisconsin,” used by 25,000 Wisconsin school children as a social studies text; and “Teacher's Guide to Native People of Wisconsin.” In 2025, her book, “Seventh Generation Earth Ethics,” was released in paperback.
Prior to her position at Northwestern, Loew was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is professor emerita, UW-Extension, and is an honorary fellow in the Department of Civil Society and Community Studies in the UW-Madison School of Human Ecology. In 2011, Dr. Loew received the Distinguished Alumni Award from UW-La Crosse and in 2010, Outstanding Woman of Color awards from both UW-Madison and the University of Wisconsin system.