ATLANTA -- The Southeast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) will honor seven television professionals who have worked a quarter century or more in the industry on Friday evening, January 30, 2009, announced NATAS Southeast President Sophia Kelley.

They will be inducted into the NATAS Silver Circle during a dinner at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead. Dale Russell, FOX5 I-team senior investigative reporter, will emcee the induction ceremony. The inductees include:

• Michael Carlin, executive producer of the FOX5 I-Team at WFOX-TV in Atlanta.
  
  
• Karyn Greer, morning news anchor at WXIA-TV 11Alive in Atlanta.
  
  
• Bill Hoffman, vice president and general manager of WSB-TV in Atlanta.
  
  
• Jeff Johnson, community affairs director for WPCH-TV Peachtree TV, Turner Broadcasting System Inc.’s local Atlanta broadcast station.
  
  
• Mike Manhattan, managing editor and anchor of the News at 11 and the News at 5 for WTOC-TV in Savannah.
  
  
• Hammond Reynolds, executive producer at FSN South/SportSouth in Atlanta.
  
  
• James Townley, instructor in television production technology at Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta.

The Silver Circle program, conducted annually since 1989, recognizes media professionals who have worked 25 years or more in the industry in a performing, creative, technical, journalistic or administrative role. Inductees selected have made significant contributions to both the industry and the community throughout their career.

NATAS Southeast produces the EMMY® Awards ceremony for this region, which includes Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Asheville, NC. For more information, visit www.natassoutheast.org.

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For more information contact:

Maizie Hale/Faye Edmundson
Maizie Hale Public Relations
404-261-7080
mzh@maiziehalepr.com

Sophia Kelly lives in Sandy Springs, GA.

Dale Russell lives in Druid Hills in Atlanta, GA.

Michael Carlin lives in Sandy Springs, GA.

Karyn Greer lives in Duluth, GA.

Bill Hoffman lives in Buckhead in Atlanta, GA.

Jeff Johnson lives in Buckhead in Atlanta, GA.

Mike Manhattan lives in Savannah, GA.

Hammond Reynolds lives in Marietta, GA.

James Townley lives in Marietta, GA.