The New York State Broadcasters Association has announced its 2025 Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted at their luncheon at the Rainbow Room at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Wednesday, October 22.

In addition to television personalities Kaity Tong, Matt Mulcahy, and Bob Kovachick, the class will include three radio members.

Norm Silverstein – President/CEO – WXXI Public Media Rochester

Norm Silverstein retired from WXXI in 2024, after nearly 30 years of dedicated service at the helm of Rochester’s public media stations.  Under his leadership, WXXI built a reputation for collaboration and community service.  When he joined, it was operating one television station and two radio stations. Today it operates four public television channels, a cable channel for the City of Rochester, and seven public radio stations. WXXI acquired the Little Theatre, formed the Rochester Area Media Partners with the purchase of CITY Magazine, and secured an additional FM signal for NPR and WXXI News. Silverstein established WXXI as a trusted source of news, educational information, and cultural entertainment. He successfully guided WXXI into the digital age.

Silverstein led the two most successful Capital Campaigns in the history of WXXI. The 21/21 Vision Campaign in 2004 raised $12 million and the Go Public Campaign in 2016 garnered $18 million.

During his tenure, WXXI has received numerous New York State Broadcasters Association Awards, Telly Awards, New York Emmy Awards, and Edward R. Murrow Awards. WXXI launched the healthcare TV series, Second Opinion, which ran for 18 seasons on PBS stations across the country. The station produced numerous documentaries highlighting Rochester’s rich history and culture. One of Silverstein’s proudest accomplishments has been WXXI’s national Move to Include™ initiative, a partnership with the Golisano Foundation that uses the power of public media to promote inclusion.

A recognized leader by public media throughout the country, Silverstein chaired the Association of Public Broadcasting Stations of New York (APBS) and the Finance Committee of the New York State Broadcasters Association. He is a former board member of America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) in Washington, the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, the New York State Council for the Humanities, and the Regional Advisory Board of Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield. Silverstein was also the past Treasurer of the Board of Greater Public, the only national non-profit organization offering comprehensive development and marketing expertise to public radio and television stations.

Before joining WXXI in 1995, Silverstein served as Senior Vice President of Maryland Public Television (MPT). He was a broadcast news correspondent in Washington, D.C. and served as Deputy Press Secretary and a senior aide to the Governor of Maryland.

Bill Evans – Owner, Program Director & Meteorologist – WLNG 92.1 FM, Sag Harbor

Bill Evans is the Owner, Program Director, Chief Meteorologist, and Morning Show Co-Host for WLNG 92.1 FM in Sag Harbor, NY, and WFRM 94.5 FM in Sagaponack, NY.  He is a 20-time Emmy Award Winner and a 5-time NY Times Best Selling Author.  Bill is also a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for Distinguished Public Service.

For 30 years, Bill was the Senior Meteorologist for WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News, WPLJ Radio 95.5 FM with “Scott & Todd in the Morning,” and 77 WABC AM Radio with “Imus in the Morning.”  

He was also heard on the ABC Radio Network and ESPN Radio.  He has appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” “ABC News” with Peter Jennings and then with David Muir, “LIVE! with Regis and Kathie,” then “Regis and Kelly,” then “Kelly And Ryan,” “ESPN’s SportsCenter,” The Discovery Channel’s “How Stuff Works,” “The View,” “The Good Wife” and “The Unexplained” with William Shatner.

Bill has appeared on the New York stage, playing himself in “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall.  He’s also appeared on Broadway as The Candlestick “Lumier” in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” He has performed stand-up comedy on “The Punch Line Circuit,” “Comedy Nation,” and “Dangerfield’s.”

Bill has received an “Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters” from Dowling College in Oakdale, NY, and an “Honorary Doctorate of Science” from Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ, and awarded Beneath the Seas “Diver of the Year.”  Bill is a member of the Friars Club, The American Meteorological Society, and the NY Broadcasters Association.

Gary Sapiane – General Manager, Morning Show Host – WLNG 92.1 FM, Sag Harbor

Gary Sapiane is from Westhampton Beach, Long Island, New York. Gary started in radio when he was a junior at Westhampton Beach High School. Gary’s first radio gig was with WAPC Radio in Riverhead, Long Island, New York. Gary went on to be one of the owners of WKVO Radio in Havelock, North Carolina.

Gary actually read his first commercial on the air at WLNG when he stopped by to visit the late Paul Sidney in 1964. Gary worked weekends at WLNG in 1970, and in 1975, Gary started full time. In 2008, after Paul Sidney had passed away, Gary became the station manager. In 2012, Gary became President of Main Street Broadcasting, Inc. Gary’s hobbies include storm chasing (especially tornados), aviation, and riding the Cross Sound Ferry between Orient Point, Long Island, New York, and New London, CT, during Winter Nor’easters!

NYSBA President David Donovan said, “The Hall of Fame Class of 2025 sets the gold standard for broadcasters throughout New York State. The inductees represent a lifetime of achievement serving their profession and communities throughout the Empire State and our nation. We are honored to have them join the Hall of Fame.”