Emerging Leader Award
Thomas Keppler from City of Brunswick



Tom Keppler Jr. is a multimedia content creator with an ever-expanding passion for video production and music. While performing music semi-professionally and in various college groups, Tom decided to pivot his studies from music education and performance to audio engineering. As an effort to continually learn and improve, Tom attended the Ohio Center for Broadcasting to expand into video and better understand the entertainment industry as a whole. Tom interned with a local hockey team and with Brunswick Area Television (BAT). These internships had a prolific influence on his life. The hockey experience led to directing opportunities with international tournaments, ACHA championships, and NHL top prospect games. These sporting events were amazing experiences, but the time spent at BAT was truly formative.

Tom was hired as a production assistant and, within three years, was promoted to manage the office of information and public communication. This division of the City of Brunswick, Ohio, operates Brunswick Area Television. Tom strives to provide timely, accurate, and whenever possible, entertaining information to his hometown. He thrives on innovating through creative means to strengthen the BAT staff, empower volunteers, and achieve higher levels of quality. Tom is self-motivated and dependable. He respects teamwork and gives credit where it’s due. These traits build trust and strengthen community relationships. Free speech is at the forefront of Tom’s vision for Brunswick Area Television. All are welcome at the studio to share their stories, talents, passions, and opinions.


Tom and the BAT staff encourage and teach volunteers the art of production to make their media dreams come true, some of which have won national awards and recognitions for their work. Other than on TV or podcasts, Tom can often be seen around the community wherever there is live music, riding his motorcycle, or walking his dog, Murphy.

The Dirk Koning – George Stoney Award for Humanistic Communication

Vermont Access Network 


Vermont Access Network continues to bolster and support access media across Vermont by building a vision for the future of the field and procuring resources for their communities.

In the last ten years, VAN has successfully advocated before the state's Public Utility Commission to preserve funding streams and gain equitable access to digital technologies from Charter and Comcast. VAN has also negotiated a statewide HD channel to showcase Vermont issues.

VAN has worked with the Vermont Legislature since 2019 to obtain state funding in light of declining cable revenue. Over the past six years, VAN, working with Action Circles, has walked a steady advocacy path that including a state study on the future of community media funding, recognition as an "essential service" during the COVID epidemic, $2.4 million in one-time funding and ongoing financial support for all access management organizations in the State.

Through their work and collaboration, Vermont Access Network moved initiatives forward to help all Vermonters access information that they need, a model to be shared with other states around the US.

The Sue Miller Buske Leadership Award
Norm Compton from Allen County Public Library

Norm has spent his career empowering communities through access to media. Since 1999, he has served as the Manager of Access Fort Wayne (AFW), where his vision and leadership have not only grown AFW into a cornerstone of civic engagement in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but also strengthened its ties with local government and the wider community. His work led to significant collaborations, such as bringing County Government programming to Access 1 and working with the City of Fort Wayne to revise the distribution of franchise fees—changes that helped preserve and expand community access for years to come.

Under Norm’s leadership, Access Fort Wayne has thrived. For 26 years, he has built and led a team that embodies the spirit of community media, consistently uplifting local voices and stories. He’s also led Rock the Plaza, a community summer concert series, for 18 years—raising sponsorship dollars, enriching downtown Fort Wayne, and making the arts more accessible to the public. His passion for improving lives is also evident in his leadership of the ACPL Wellness Committee, where he has helped create a healthier, more engaged workplace.

Norm’s contributions to ACM are both deep and longstanding. His involvement began in 1987, attending his first national conference in Chicago. Since then, he has served decades on the Central States Regional Board, including as Chair of the Ohio Chapter, Philo Chair, and most notably, Treasurer for more than twelve years. His leadership helped sustain and grow ACM’s regional efforts, and through his work, ACM has remained a visible and valued participant in the national community media conversation.

Jewell Ryan-White Award For Cultural Diversity 
James Harris from SPEAK MPLS

James Harris is the Director of Community Media at SPEAK MPLS and is a media maker, storyteller, and educator with 10 years of experience working in community media.


James’ deep passion for the field brings infectious energy and enthusiasm, inspiring everyone around him. He exemplifies the values of building community through media and has consistently demonstrated leadership in the field. Throughout his career, he has had roles at Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), CreaTV San Jose, and now at SPEAK MPLS, James has made a profound impact by empowering youth and creating opportunities for education and engagement for all people.


His approach to leadership is rooted in inclusivity and empathy, ensuring everyone has the support and tools they need to share their stories and create meaningful media. As a media maker and member of the LGBTQ+ community, James believes that media is a powerful tool for sharing experiences and fostering healing.


He’s played a key role in amplifying the stories of the LGBTQ+ community, including leading our partnership with Twin Cities Pride to highlight the history and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Twin Cities. His passion for storytelling and commitment to bringing diverse voices together shine through in everything he does. James leads by example, always ready to support anyone, regardless of background or beliefs.