The Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is proud to announce that six talented television leaders have been invited to join the prestigious Silver Circle Society at this year’s Rocky Mountain Emmys taking place Saturday, November 6.

Silver Circle Society inductees are accomplished television professionals who have served in the industry for at least 25 years. These industry veterans have built a strong reputation in the region through exceptional professional achievements, demonstrated leadership abilities and extensive public service.

“The 2021 class of Silver Circle Inductees are recognized legends in our craft and industry,” said Doug Mummert, President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter. “Each of them represents a variety of professional backgrounds and have extensive experience and expertise. They are all leaders in our industry, as well as our community and we are proud to induct them into our Silver Circle Society."

The 2021 Silver Circle Society inductees are:

• Bruce Haffner, ChopperGuy, Phoenix: Haffner was in the air for the “Good Morning Arizona” newscast shooting ariel footage for 37 years. He started his career as a photojournalist for 3TV in 1984 and became the station’s chopper pilot in 1995 working on his way to being recognized as one of the most respected photojournalists in the country.

• Chris Schueler, Christopher Productions, Albuquerque: Schueler is a documentary filmmaker and has created over 100 television programs in the past 25 years. His documentaries have ranged from global warming solutions to mental health stigma to domestic violence and much more. As president of Christopher Productions and with over two decades of experience in youth programming, he’s helped train journalist around the world in creating social issue documentaries Indonesia, Tajikistan, India, Nicaragua and throughout the US.

• Lisa Fuller Magee, 3TV & CBS 5, Phoenix: Magee started her broadcasting career in radio when she was sixteen years old being a Disc Jockey to help put herself through college. For nearly 15 years she was the line and show producer for the award-winning morning news program “Good Morning Arizona” which was a runaway hit and ratings grabber in the Phoenix market. Joining KTVK 34 years ago, she’s currently the Senior Producer of the highly rated weekend show.

• Steve Stucker, KOB 4, Albuquerque: Stucker is New Mexico’s Weatherman on Eyewitness News 4 Today. With over 30 years on the morning show, he’s received dozens of honors including being voted Best of the City TV personality and/or Meteorologist the past 16 years in a row. Additionally, Stucker is well known for his community involvement, working with a variety of nonprofit groups, churches and schools.

• Tara Hitchcock, Table 33 Productions, Phoenix: Hitchcock graduated cum laude with a BA in Communications and Political Science from Boston College and went on to get her Master's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the prestigious Medill School at Northwestern. In 1996, she moved to Phoenix to host the highly-rated Good Morning Arizona news program on 3TV, a position she held for 15 years. She has interviewed everyone from John McCain to Justin Bieber and her love of sports has brought her to host shows from the Masters, Super Bowl and World Series. Currently, Hitchcock hosts “Behind The Screens” for Harkins Theatres and you can catch her weekly celeb/travel segments on “Good Morning Arizona” and “MORE Good Day Oregon”.

• Tom Leander, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix: Leander is a television and radio sports broadcaster with more than 38 years of on-air experience for a majority with the Phoenix Suns. After graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, he moved into on-air television work when he joined the CBS affiliate KMST-TV in Monterey, California, as a sports anchor and reporter. Leander moved back to his hometown of Phoenix in 1991 and shortly after landed his dream job with the Phoenix Suns as the host and producer of their pre-game, half-time and post-game shows. He is currently the Phoenix Suns broadcaster.

This year, the Rocky Mountain Emmy® Awards will be held in person and virtually on Saturday, November 6. For more information, visit RockyMountainEmmy.org.