Amy Schmelzer is currently the Head of News & Sports Emmys® for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a role that allows her to recognize excellence in the two areas of broadcasting she is most passionate about.
A two-time graduate of Drake University with a BAJMC in Radio/Television Production and a Masters in Communication Leadership, Amy has worked in live television production since 1996. Starting as a graphic artist and Chyron operator, her career advanced into newscast directing – first on weekends and ending with what were then the highest-rated newscasts in the Des Moines market – KCCI 8 News at 6 and 10pm. Her skill at the directing craft garnered her six Upper Midwest Regional Emmys® between 2010 and 2016.
In 2019, Amy stepped away from the directing daily newscasts and into a management role as KCCI’s News Operations Manager. In that role, she was responsible for whatever needed to be done: planning and executing remote productions; producing award-winning political debates, community affairs special programming and sports content; coordinating quality control efforts between departments; and, in her spare work time, leading a staff of ten directors.
Amy also works as a freelancer in the sports broadcasting world, keeping her production skills as a director, technical director and audio operator current while scratching that creative, hands-on itch. She also serves as a Regional Vice-President for the Upper Midwest NATAS Chapter and maintains a connection to the future of the industry by sitting on the national advisory council for the Drake University School of Journalism & Mass Communication.