TORONTO – Global News’ Gerry Belec has been named the 2019 recipient of the Bill Hutton Award of Excellence from RTDNA Canada.
Renamed a decade ago to honour the late Bill Hutton, RTDNA Canada’s first president, the award is given to individuals or organizations who have shown a true commitment to RTDNA and the betterment of journalism in Canada.
Belec (pictured) is the director of news technology and operations for Global News. After beginning his career at BCTV in the mid-1980s, he managed the computer graphics department for more than a decade within their dynamic and challenging news room. Following that, Belec brought his expertise abroad, spending several years travelling the world and overseeing the implementation of a state-of-the-art graphics systems for international clients during his time as a broadcast product specialist for Pinnacle Systems.
Having a varied career which goes beyond traditional broadcasting, Belec also claims several concert production credits to his name. He led the design of live video effects for three consecutive Grateful Dead summer tours, was in charge of the 3D stereoscopic animation show during the KISS 3D Psycho Circus Tour and created the video and graphic elements for Janet Jackson’s 2001 World Tour.
Belec joined the Global team in 2006, and under his leadership, Global News has become a trailblazer in newsroom and control room technology. Named the 2018 Broadcaster of the Year by the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters, Belec has spearheaded the move to automated control rooms, and was key in the development of Global News’ MMC (multi-market content) production model. This system was awarded the 2009 Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award in recognition of technical innovation and quality design as well as the 2017 Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Innovation.
"It is very important that we recognize all of the leaders that contribute to success and innovation in our industry”, said RTDNA president Fiona Conway, in the announcement. “Gerry has led transformative broadcast operations at Global News – I am happy that he is being recognized and celebrated by the RTDNA."
Belec will receive his award during the RTDNA 2019 National Conference & Awards Gala in Toronto on May 11, 2019.
