Connecticut Broadcasters Association announces 2025 inductees for the CBA Hall of Fame & 2025 finalists for “The CBAs”

The Connecticut Broadcasters Association (CBA) today announced the 2025 inductees to its Hall of Fame. The Class of 2025 will be officially honored during an event which will also include the CBA station awards, The CBAs.

The Hall of Fame and CBAs will be hosted at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville on Tuesday, October 7^th. The evening will offer attendees an opportunity to mingle with broadcasters in the radio and television industry from across Connecticut while highlighting award winning reports, personalities, and programming. Tickets for the event are available at the CTBA website here ctba.org.

“The Connecticut Broadcasters Association is proud to celebrate the outstanding work happening in broadcasting across our state,” said Kristin Okesson, Chair of the Connecticut Broadcasters Association and Senior Vice President/Market Manager for Connoisseur Media. “The Hall of Fame shines a light on those who have devoted the majority, if not all, of their careers to Connecticut broadcasting, making a lasting difference for our industry and our communities. The CBAs honor the broadcasters who are shaping the future through their work every day — and awards aside, this night is about coming together to celebrate the hard work and dedication of everyone in our industry.”

The 2025 CBA Hall of Fame inductees are (in alphabetical order):

Juan Castillo: Juan Castillo has been with WYBC in New Haven since 1989. He joined the station as an on-air announcer and is currently Director of Operations, and Afternoon Drive host. As a young man, Juan fell into trouble with the law. That experience instilled a commitment to make the most of his second chance. He worked for the Department of Corrections as a parole officer and became Regional Director of the Bridgeport and New London field offices. Upon joining WYBC, Juan immersed himself in improving the station’s public service and community involvement while inviting listeners to take “ownership” of the station. His success and the success and longevity of WYBC is attributed to his integrity, professionalism, and belief in the important connection between YBC and the community. Juan Castillo resides in Hamden.

Klarn DePalma: Klarn DePalma has had a storied career in Connecticut Broadcasting for more than three decades. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, he began his career in sales at WFSB, then a Meredith Media Group station, and quickly rose through leadership roles, including Local Sales Manager, Director of Sales, and ultimately Vice President and General Manager of four stations. For 13 years, he guided WFSB to consistent dominance in news and digital operations while building strong partnerships with organizations and nonprofits across the state. Klarn has been deeply involved in advancing the industry, serving as Chairman and a longtime board member of the Connecticut Broadcasters Association, as well as a member of the Television Bureau of Advertising’s Board of Governors. His civic leadership includes serving on the Connecticut Science Center Board, where he helped establish the Weather Lab, The Bushnell, and Channel 3 Kids Camp. In 2022, he was named Senior Vice President of Group Sales and Sponsorships for Nexstar Media Group. He lives in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

Ray Dunaway: Ray Dunaway started his career in CT on WTIC in 1992. He graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, worked in Detroit, Dallas, and Kansas City before landing at AM 1080, where he would become a mainstay until his retirement in December of 2021. His laid-back approach to radio, charm and wit endeared him to his listeners. In his decades of work at WTIC-AM he covered important state stories including the Michael Skakel trial, the CT state income tax debate, Governor Rowland’s resignation, the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School as well as the most important national stories during those years. His was the first voice heard in the morning among tens of thousands of Great Hartford (and beyond) listeners. He gave of his time, hosted, and supported endless CT charities.

Joe Furey: Meteorologist Joe Furey is currently a co-chief Meteorologist at WTNH and WCTX. He has held this position since October 2017 extending his long career in CT radio and television. Joe grew up in Norwalk and attended Villanova University. Joe went on to be with Dr. Mel Goldstein at Western Connecticut State University for 5 years as a graduate student and then he became Assistant Director of the Western Connecticut State University Weather Center. In the mid 80’s Joe worked in TV at News 12 Connecticut while doing weather on many radio stations including KC101, WAVZ and WICC. In the late 80’s Joe moved to the Hartford area and became the Director of the New England Weather Service in Hartford with clients that included Northeast Utilities, WTIC 1080, Fox 61. Joe has been a meteorologist with WFSB as well. He recently celebrated 40 years of forecasting weather and was inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle by the New England Emmy Association in December of 2024.

Danny Lyons: Since first stepping onto the airwaves at WLIZ, West Palm Beach on his 18th birthday in 1972, 4 years at his hometown radio Station WWCO, Waterbury, Danny has become a familiar and trusted voice across the state. His career has taken him to WAVZ and KC101 in New Haven to WTIC-FM in Hartford, and ultimately to WEBE in Fairfield County, where he has proudly held his post for an extraordinary 38 years and counting. His voice also reached far beyond Connecticut, broadcasting across 30+ states via 66 WNBC in New York City. A champion for community and philanthropy, Danny has led signature events such as WEBE’s Christmas Wish and KidsFest, and raised millions for organizations including the American Cancer Society, Easter Seals, Special Olympics, St. Vincent’s Hospital’s Swim Across the Sound, and especially the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, where he served as an early board member and remains a passionate supporter. Known as a gifted emcee, voice-over talent, and live event host, Danny has earned accolades both on and off the air, even winning a charity dance competition in support of Ronald McDonald House after recovering from triple bypass surgery. Beyond the microphone, Danny cherishes time with his partner Lynne Polino, their granddaughter Cecilia, son Justin, daughter-in-law Jules, and their dog Charlie. With his warmth, dedication, and unmistakable voice, Danny Lyons has not only entertained generations of listeners but also cemented his legacy as a true Connecticut institution.

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Ann Nyberg: Ann Nyberg has spent more than 40 years in television news. She is the longest-serving female news anchor/reporter in Connecticut television history and is WTNH-TV’s longest-serving anchor/reporter in the station’s history. She anchors multiple weekday newscasts, and produces and hosts her own show called “NYBERG.” It spotlights innovators, entrepreneurs, and those in the arts, among other people. In November 2015, Nyberg was inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle. Nyberg has also been named “Best News Anchor” in “Connecticut Magazine” for many years. She began her journey in broadcast journalism immediately following graduation from Purdue University, where she earned a degree in journalism. Nyberg was a television journalist in Indiana and Oklahoma before making Connecticut her home. Ann’s contributions to our community and the vitality of the television industry are vast. In 1993, she founded the Toy Closet Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital, which has provided hundreds of thousands of toys to children of all ages to help ease their trauma. A lover of the arts, Nyberg is a founding board of trustees member of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook and in 2018, Nyberg was awarded the “Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award,” given annually to an individual who embodies the spirit, independence and character of the legendary actress. In 2023, she received the Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame/New Haven County chapter. In 2024, Nyberg received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of New Haven.

Kara Sundlun: Kara is a three-time Emmy award-winning journalist and anchor with WFSB-TV, a Gray Local Media Station. Kara joined WFSB in 2000 and has covered many of the biggest stories in Connecticut history. She grew up in Detroit, graduated from University of Michigan. She has worked in Rhode Island, Grand Rapids, Michigan, interned at the White House and at CNN’s Washington Bureau. She sits on the boards of Dress for Success Hartford and the Denise D’Ascenzo Foundation. She is currently the co-host of Great Day Connecticut weekdays at 3pm and anchors the noon and 4pm newscast. In addition, Kara is the Chief Digital Anchor at WFSB and host of Kara’s Cures Podcast. Kara is a mother of two and lives in Hartford with her husband Dennis.

Current members of the CBA Hall of Fame include Dick Robinson, Dom Bordonaro, John & Carol Babina , Mark Davis, Scot Haney ,Boyd Arnold, Gerry Brooks, Pablo de Jesus Colon, Jr., Denise D’Ascenzo, Brad Davis, Arnold Dean, Joe DiMaggio, Richard Ferguson, Bill Glynn, Ed Henry, Al Terzi, John Ramsey, Walter Martinez, Charlie Parker, Barbara Davitt, and Wayne Norman. In addition, the CBA has bestowed Lifetime Achievement Awards upon Bud Finch, Dr. Mel Goldstein, and Bob Steele – all legendary on-air talent – and Paul Taff, a multi-decade broadcast executive who concluded his career in the state as the President of the CBA.

THE CBAs will bestow “best of” status to one recipient from finalists in each of the following categories:

Best Engineer
Justin Williamson, WTNH-TV

Best Use of Digital Media
CT Public Social Media
Real Time Rescue, WELI
Law Enforcement Recruitment, WFSB

Best Non-Commercial Station (Radio)
WACC, Asnuntuck Community College
WAPJ
WWUH, University of Hartford

Best Meteorologist
Ryan Hanrahan, WVIT-TV
Mike Slifer, WFSB-TV
Matt Scott, WTIC-TV

Best News Reporter (Radio)
John Silva, WTIC-AM
Sujata Srinivasan, WNPR
Ebong Udoma, WSHU

Best Reporter (TV)
Brittany Taylor, WTNH-TV
Jamel Johnson, WTIC-TV
Len Bestoff, WVIT-TV

Best Local Show (TV)
Pride is Everywhere, WTIC-TV
Capitol Report, WTNH-TV
Great Day at 9, WFSB-TV

Best Talk Show (Radio)
The Rob Dibble Show, WUCS
Spotlight CT, WTIC-AM
Disrupted, WNPR

Best Community Initiative
ST Jude Radiothon, WWYZ-FM
Canines for CT Vets, 1080 WTIC-AM
Closer To Free Ride, WVIT-TV

Best Feature News Story (TV)
Bird of Hope, WTNH-TV, Adam Francis
Atomic Veteran, WFSB-TV, Stephanie Simoni
Great Kids: Bristol Football, WFSB-TV, Caitlin Nuclo

Best Morning Show (Radio)
Anna & Raven, WEZN-FM
Chaz & AJ, WPLR-FM
Christine and Salt, WTIC-FM

Best Anchor (TV)
Dennis House, WTNH-TV
Nicole Nalepa, WFSB-TV
Symphonie Privett, WTIC-TV

Best Air Personality (Radio)
Kevin Begley, WEZN
Gina J, WTIC-FM
Lorie Mack, WNPR

Best Photojournalist (TV)
Nick Doscher, WVIT-TV
John Mongeau, WVIT-TV
Jose Gomez, WVIT-TV

Best Newscast Team (TV)
Evening Team, WFSB-TV
Morning Team, WTNH-TV
Evening Team, WTNH-TV

Best Investigative Story (TV)
Protection or Punishment: Jahrell’s Story, WTNH-TV
Ambulance Response Times, Sam Smink, WFSB-TV
Hidden in Plain Sight: Crystal’s Story, WTNH-TV

Best Breaking News Coverage (TV)
Guests Evacuated After Fire, WTIC-TV
Heartbreaking and Unimaginable, WTIC-TV
Pet Goats Killed in Bear Attack, WTIC-TV

Best Local Sports
The Path of Paige Bueckers, WVIT-TV
Golf Fans Yell Random Words, WFSB-TV
Half Court Winning Shot, WTIC-TV

Best Promotion (Radio)
WZMX 93.7 “Hot Wheel”
KISS 95.7 “Snow Dive”
WNPR “Coming Up on Colin McEnroe”

Best College Programming (Radio)
WWUH
WACC LP

Station of the Year (Radio)
WNPR
WTIC-FM
WWYZ-FM

Station of the Year (TV)
WFSB-TV
WTNH-TV
WVIT-TV

The Connecticut Broadcasters Association is an industry trade association which addresses common legal, governmental, education, and community issues on both the State and National levels. Member Radio and TV stations participate in the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and AMBER Alert programs, among other initiatives. For more information about the Connecticut Broadcasters Association and the October 7th Hall of Fame & The CBAs event at the Aqua Turf Club, visit Ctba.org or call 860-307-2644.

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