Buske Leadership Award

The Buske Leadership Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated commitment to the mission and goals of the Alliance for Community Media, leadership within the organization within the last three years, a high degree of involvement in the organization nationally, regionally and at the chapter level, and continuing service to the ACM.

Nominees must be an ACM member to qualify for this award.

2021 Winners: Barbara Chisholm, WACA TV & Jon Funfar, City of Pasco



Barbara Chisholm has been involved in community media for over 25 years. She currently is the Executive Director of WACA TV. She served on the original Board of Directors of WACA TV and held the position of Treasurer. Barbara joined the staff of WACA TV as the Operations Manager, a position held for 10 years. During that time, she has overseen a number of major projects while increasing programming and community involvement and awareness. Barbara is proud to be a member of the ACM because it is a wonderful support system for community media centers across the country large and small assisting stations both educationally and legislatively.

View Barbara's acceptance speech here.



Jon Funfar is Communications Program Manager for the City of Pasco, Washington. As a one-person shop, he manages Pasco City Television, the City of Pasco website, City social media, and City print publications.

A native of Enumclaw, Washington, where he was the City’s Media Services Manager from 2000-2011, and then relocated to Pasco. Jon was introduced to the ACM in 2001 by attending a Northwest Regional conference where he heard Dirk Koning speak and has subsequently been active in the ACM. Currently, he is Northwest Region Vice-Chair. Jon served as Chair for the National Board in 2016-2017 and brought his small-center community media experience to the ACM. He has also served as President and Secretary of WATOA (Washington Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors).

When not juggling those varied responsibilities, he enjoys spending time with his dog Bubba and friends and appreciating living in the center of Washington wine country.

View Jon's acceptance speech here.

List of Winners by Year

2021 - Barbara Chisholm, WACA TV & Jon Funfar, City of Pasco
2020 - Mary Van Sickle, Dakota Media Access
2019 - Anthony Riddle, BRIC
2018 - Shelley Wolfe, PSTV
2017 - Ross Rowe, Village of Elk Grove
2016 – Rob Brading, Metro East Media
2015 – John Hauser, Access Humboldt
2014 – Antoine Haywood, Philadelphia Community Access Media (PhillyCAM)
2013 – Matt Schuster, TV Santa Barbara
2012 – Michael Wassenaar
2011 – Keri Stokstad, The Santa Barbara Channels
2010 – Colin Rhinesmith
2009 – Nancy Richard
2008 – Tom Bishop
2007 – Debra Rogers
2006 – Sean McLaughlin
2005 – Brian Wilson
2004 – Harry “Hap” Haasch
2003 – Ron Cooper, Access Sacramento
2002 – Erik Mollberg
2001 – John Donovan
2000 – Alan Bushong
1999 – Deb Vinsel
1998 – Steve Fortriede
1997 – Carl Kucharski
1996 – Hubert Jessup
1995 – Rika Welsh
1994 – Andrew Blau
1993 – Lynn Carillo-Cruse
1992 – Sharon Ingraham
1991 – Gerry Field
1990 – Chuck Sherwood
1989 – Dirk Koning
1988 – Jan Lesher Ireland
1987 – Sue Miller Buske