Atlanta, GA – Thursday, August 14, 2025– The Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s prestigious GAB Honors Awards, which will be presented at the annual convention, GABCON on September 19-20, 2025. These awards honor individuals who have provided exceptional leadership, support and service to the broadcasting industry in Georgia.
The awards include the Georgian of the Year, Golden Mic Award, Legislator of the Year and the Ditty-McLemore Engineering Awards.
Georgian of the Year- Derek Schiller, President & CEO, Atlanta Braves
The GAB’s Georgian of the Year Award is presented annually to an outstanding individual who has made a significant and lasting impact on the citizens and state of Georgia.
Derek Schiller, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta Braves, oversees all business and ballpark operations for the organization. Under his leadership, the Braves have become an industry leader in fan engagement, business innovation and community impact. He played a pivotal role in the creation of Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, which has been recognized worldwide as a model for blending sports and entertainment. Schiller has also driven groundbreaking advancements in digital ticketing, dynamic pricing, business analytics and Major League Baseball’s first diversity and inclusion marketing department.
Prior to joining the Braves in 2003, Schiller held leadership roles with the Atlanta Thrashers and the New York Yankees, where he helped secure one of the largest sponsorship deals in sports history with Adidas. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, he also serves on numerous civic and industry boards, including the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Atlanta Sports Council. Schiller and his wife, Kristin, reside in Atlanta with their two children, Luke and Carson.
Join us to honor Derek Schiller during the Honors Luncheon on Saturday, September 20th from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Golden Mic Award- Curtis LeGeyt, President & CEO, National Association of Broadcasters
The GAB’s Golden Mic Award recognizes individuals whose efforts and support have made a lasting impact on the GAB and Georgia’s broadcasting industry.
Curtis LeGeyt is the President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), serving as the chief advocate for America’s local television and radio stations. Since assuming the role in 2022, he has championed policies supporting local journalism; ensuring fair competition with Big Tech; and promoting innovations that expand broadcast accessibility.
Previously, LeGeyt served as NAB’s Chief Operating Officer and as Executive Vice President of Government Relations. Earlier in his career, he worked as senior counsel to Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy; practiced antitrust law at Howrey LLP; and contributed to the 2008 Obama presidential campaign.
LeGeyt has been named one of Washingtonian’s “500 Most Influential People,” honored as Radio Executive of the Year by Radio Ink, and recognized as a top lobbyist by The Hill. He serves on multiple nonprofit and industry boards and lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Kacey, and their three children.
LeGeyt will be honored during the Honors Luncheon on Saturday, September 20th from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Legislator of the Year- Representative Rick Jasperse, Georgia’s 11th District
The GAB’s Legislator of the Year Award honors a Georgia lawmaker whose leadership and dedication strengthen local broadcasting and its service to communities across the state.
Raised in Kingsport, Tennessee, Rep. Rick Jasperse is the GAB’s 2025 Legislator of the Year. A University of Georgia graduate, Jasperse began his career as an agricultural agent before dedicating nearly three decades as a County Agent with the UGA College of Agriculture. In 2010, he was elected to serve as State Representative for Georgia’s 11th District.
Jasperse currently serves as Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, in addition to roles on several other committees, including Appropriations, Education, Health and Public Safety. Guided by Christian principles and a servant-leadership approach, Jasperse has devoted his career to teaching, empowering and serving his community. He and his wife, Marcia, live in Pickens County, where they raised their three children.
Join us to honor Representative Jasperse during the Breakfast with Counsel on Saturday, September 20th 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
We will also honor Rick Griffith from Cox Media Group, and retired engineer, Sidney Daniel with the GAB’s Angelo Ditty–Frank McLemore Engineering Award for their exceptional contributions.
We hope you’ll join us for this special event as we celebrate these outstanding individuals and explore the future of our industry.
