The FOX News Media Spotlight Awards honor team members who went the extra mile in 2024

FOX News Media CEO Susan Scott and President and Executive Editor Jay Wallace announced the winners of the 2024 FOX News Media Spotlight Awards last Wednesday during an end-of-year staff town hall.

the Fox News Media The Spotlight Awards are an annual company tradition and management received hundreds of nominations from employees eager to celebrate colleagues who received special recognition.

Fox News’ Shannon Brehm explained the nomination process, and Bret Baier, Harold Ford Jr., Bill Hemmer, Martha McCallum and Dana Perino joined Scott and Wallace to share praise for each recipient. FOX News Media executives received 342 nominations, and 185 different employees and departments were honored across FOX News Media platforms.

FOX NEWS dominates the month of November with its largest news syndication ever

Unsung Hero Award

The Unsung Hero Award is given to employees who consistently give their best effort in work that is vital to FOX News Media but often goes unnoticed. Three winners were chosen and Hemmer joked that he would continue his tradition of referring to winners as “anonymous” when he saw them around the office.

“Three of our critically acclaimed and much-loved members of this community,” MacCallum said.

Technical Operations Manager Latoya Lewis

Lewis is known to “own” the control room and is articulate, communicative and in control when breaking news occurs. Her attention to detail helps the entire department, and she also participates in the FOX News Media Career Launch Program.

Technical Operations Manager Alex Mitchener

“He believes in people who believe in themselves,” Mitchener’s colleagues say. She is known to provide opportunities for colleagues who might not have found them on their own, and often mentors less experienced employees. Mitchener also played a key role in helping the team adapt to new technology.

Broadcast Engineering Supervisor Jason Oster

Oster received a “ridiculous number of nominations” because he often solves problems before anyone else realizes there is a problem. The diligent professional plays a key role in keeping the FOX News Media Networks up and running. He is the longest-serving winner, having started at Fox News in 1999.

Emily Compaño’s “under his wings” allows her to serve as a “little messenger” for larger-than-life stories

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award recognizes employees who have demonstrated an exemplary work ethic and growth during the early stages of their career. Four winners were chosen, and Baer quickly joked that they would eventually run the company.

“Congratulations to our rising stars,” Beyer said.

Radio production engineer Frank Andreola

Andreola has been nominated 11 times, indicating that he is well-respected by his colleagues while helping to maintain the infrastructure of FOX News Media. He made it his mission to learn all about new technologies and then teach them to others.

“American Newsroom” Juliana Fogliano

Fogliano began working in the Washington, D.C., assignment office as a freelance guest greeter and quickly made a name for herself by promoting segments and booking guests. Within a few months, she was on her way to political coverage and now works as a booker for America’s Newsroom.

Associate producer Megan Toomey

Tommy has learned to manage multiple reporters across multiple live shoots and takes over so quickly that managers have to keep finding new challenges for the rising star. She often shows up early, stays late and volunteers to help the Capitol Hill staff on her days off.

Human Resources Coordinator Jordan Wells

Wells is proactive and creative in finding ways to support her colleagues. She constantly volunteers for projects and has earned a reputation as someone who is always willing to help.

President-elect Trump receives the “Patriot of the Year” award at the Fox Nation National Awards

Community Service Award

This award is given to the employee who has dedicated their time and energy to their local community and is most active in the company’s volunteer efforts. Three winners were chosen this year.

“Thank you for your service to your community,” Perino said.

Senior Director of Engineering Richard Hernandez

Hernandez collected and delivered new clothes and toys to children living in orphanages in several Mexican cities. He created an annual toy drive in the Los Angeles office, where his colleagues were inspired by his generosity. Thanks to Hernandez, kids ages 3 to 17 get presents every Christmas.

“Varney & Company.” Senior Producer Robert McNally

McNally has been a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary since 2012. He is also a member of the Honor Guard and Color Guard, where he conducts ceremonies at events, participates in parades and supports veterans’ funerals.

“Jesse Waters Prime Time” Producer and Supervising Writer Scott Sanders

Sanders has raised thousands to help cancer patients through marathons. He is a cancer survivor, and regularly enlists his colleagues to raise money for all kinds of charities.

Culture and Belonging Ambassador of the Year Award

Senior Vice President of Human Resources Nicole Campa

This award recognizes an individual who helps create an environment in which the contributions of others are highly valued.

“The frontrunner was pretty clear…it was Nicole Campa,” Ford Jr. said.

“She’s always there, showing that she cares,” he added. “Always lead with kindness and compassion.”

As one coworker put it, Nicole really means it when she asks, “How can I help you?”

Fox News dominates cable news as CNN and MSNBC collapse to embarrassing weekly lows

Innovator of the year

Fox Weather Senior Meteorological Producer Jordan Overton

This award recognizes an employee or team whose dedication and creativity has helped FOX News Media reach new heights.

“Jordan was recognized for his accomplishments in dramatically improving FOX Weather’s workflow through technology,” Wallace said.

Overton coded a new system to manage all the editorial pieces, graphics, guest bookings and other data that FOX Weather relies on every moment of every day. It streamlined operations and earned the nickname “Skynet,” inspired by “Terminator.”

Impact Award

The Impact Award recognizes a person or department that has significantly and positively impacted FOX News Media over the past year. Two winners have been selected.

Both groups have had an “incredible impact” on FOX News Media in 2024, Scott said.

Jerusalem office

The Jerusalem bureau consists of senior field producer Yonat Freiling, cameraman David Gamliel, coordinator and producer Yael Rotem Kuriel, broadcast and sound engineer Yoav Shamir, cameraman Yannick Turgeman and chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.

“For more than a year now, these six remarkable people have been the core of the team that has told the story of a nation at war. They have given us constant updates on the hostages, taken us deep into the tunnels under Gaza and informed us about the ongoing humanitarian crisis,” Scott said.

“They did all of this while living in a war zone, where their homes, lives, and loved ones were under constant threat,” Scott added. “This is their daily life, wartime journalism. We are very grateful for their work.”

Field operations and production

“These incredibly talented employees can turn any venue into an attractive, primetime-ready location,” Scott said. “And they do it better and faster than anyone else in the industry.”

“They are the ones who have made us look so good this year at the debates, town halls, the Republican National Committee, the Democratic National Committee, and most recently, the amazing Patriot Awards last week,” she added. “While half the team handles this task, the other half focuses on the breaking news requirements for all of our platforms. These jobs are not easy. Their coordination and creativity levels are off the charts, and are a huge part of our success.”

Lauren Parise, Samantha Cosme, Rebecca Cuozzo, Steven Hernandez, Grigory Khananaev, John “Hollywood” Kisala, Beth Regina, Janet Shaw, Tiger Stanley, Samantha Thomas, Morgan Valiente and Adriana Walsh make up the critical department.

“They make it look so easy, they’re always so positive and happy, we’re really lucky to have you,” Scott said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital’s Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.