Roxie L. Cole Leadership Award

John has served as a show host for Alliance Cable Ch.10/22 for the past 20 years.  He hosts a variety of community shows throughout the year including AroundTown, Focus on Flyers, Sup's On, It's My Alliance, Takin' it to the Streets, Chamber Cornerstone, Mount Matters, Senior Salute, Session with a Senior,  Veterans' Voice, Chamber Students of the Month and many more.  Having served as an Alliance City Schools teacher, coach and administrator prior to his current careerin business, makes him well connected in both the schools and community. He reaches out not only to people in the news, but people who are quietly making a difference. John  He is equally talented interviewing both adults and youngsters and is always well prepared for his weekly programs.

Downtown Alliance Commission, member of First Friends Church, Cable Ch. 11  Board of Directors.  John is also the founder and leader of Classic Rock and Roll with the  John Hampu Band, which is a  9 piece classic rock band, playing music from the 60's, 70's and 80's.  Although they are booked for many weddings, class reunions and other parties, they also often perform for fundraisers or non-profits such as the Alliance Firefighters Toys for Tots, Relay for Life, and  community members fighting illnesses.

John handles all his roles as husband, father, grandfather, manager and host all with professionalism and patience.  He is extremely reliable, has strong faith and is good natured, working well with both the staff and students at Ch. 1022.  He treats all who work with him fairly and respectfully. He has faced challenges in his career and personal life but chooses to learn from the challenges and move on. On a day to day basis, our schedule and staff shortages may affect his shows but he remains calm and patient.

John's best contribution to the Community Media movement has been his role in the Cable station from it's inception.  He was supportive of the original instructor (Dick Claflin) and helped get the Community Challenge programs(our first local shows) on the air.  He has stayed with the program, adding to his involvement and number of shows produced.   In 2003, the Alliance School Board was considering dropping the Broadcast Arts Program.  John fought  to keep the program in place and recommended hiring me as the teacher and Channel director.  We have worked together as a team since then to grow the program and station. The citizens of Alliance  who subscribe to Spectrum Cable 1022 are appreciative of the 8 - 10 local programs produced each week and love seeing their friends and families highlighted.  Additionally he recently spearheaded fundraising efforts for The John Weitzel "Days of Glory" Scholarship which is awarded through the Alliance High School Foundation.  John's voice is well known throughout the city as he volunteers to announce various performances in town and is the "on-hold" voice for businesses.