This award reflects the U:SA’s Mission and Madison Hodges’ desire to strengthen the public media system through improving the relationship between broadcasters and their licensees to help the station/licensee transition to success. Advancement means not accepting the status quo, so this award is for forward-thinking media professionals and institutional leaders. Award criteria is based on the quality and importance of a short or long-term achievement. The Award is intended as a platform to recognize success, defined in this case as simply the courage to “try.” Even failures, if successful in helping move the system forward, can be recognized. The Award recognizes the individual’s attempts to make a greater impact in their communities and their profession as a public media professional. In 2014, the first Innovator award was presented to the Madison Hodges family.
