Remembering Linda…
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of our good friend and mentor Linda Giannecchini. Linda was found dead, in her home last Wednesday, after missing a doctor’s appointment. She was battling a longtime illness.
This is a crushing loss to me and our San Francisco / Northern California Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). She guided virtually every step of my journey through our local chapter. Her invaluable expert advice guided me through the Awards Committee, as Education Chair and in my present position as Chapter President. All positions Linda previously held. As I went on to serve two terms as a National Trustee, Linda sat next to me at the meetings and kept counsel. Linda was the heart and very soul of this Chapter. At the National meetings, Linda was one of its most respected and knowledgeable members.
Linda was the Senior Vice President for Franklin Mieuli & Associates (a consulting company specializing in sports remotes), and Assistant Director for KQED Public Media.
As an independent producer her productions ran the gamut from cooking shows to sporting events and from concerts to public affairs programs. She also worked telethons, conventions, award shows, and corporate productions in the capacity of Producer, Director, Line Producer, Assistant Director, Production Coordinator, Electronic Graphics, Closed Captioner, or Event Planner.
Longtime San Francisco Chapter member and National Trustee, Alison Gibson says: “I have known and worked with Linda on the NATAS board for over 30 years. Never has any volunteer put so much time, energy and smarts into our awards organization as she had done. It was her passion.” Gibson adds: “Very few, since NATAS’ founding president John Cannon, had the institutional knowledge that she carried. She was respected by all. We are deeply saddened, and I personally will feel this loss for the rest of my life.”
Linda was a Life Member of the Chapter. She first became a NATAS Governor in 1983. After two terms, she held many other Chapter positions including eight years as the Education Chair, five years as Awards Chair and nearly two decades as the Archive & Museum Chair. She also served two terms as President of the local Board of Governors. She has received major Chapter awards: The Governors’ Service Medallion (1990); Silver Circle Class of 1997; The Governors’ Award in 2011; and honored with two regional Emmy® Awards based on numerous nominations.
National Trustee Joyce Mitchell says: “Linda was a wealth of knowledge, guidance, and direction. Her internalized experience with NATAS provided others with great insight.” Mitchell adds: “She generously shared her expertise – but most importantly, Linda was a kind and lovely person. She is dearly missed.”
Linda’s dedication to NATAS included service to the national organization as well. She served fifteen years as a trustee, the National Vice Chairman, and Secretary. She was the National Awards Chair until her death.
Chairman of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Terry O’Reilly says: “Linda brought a personal passion to every day and to every project; our Academy is better for her service, and we are all blessed to have known her.”
She held memberships in RTNDA, Broadcast Legends, and AMIA. Linda received a B.A. in Broadcast Communication Arts and completed post-graduate studies from San Francisco State University. She has taught television production courses there and at College of San Mateo.
Last year, The Chapter honored Linda with a Scholarship in her name. This $2,000 professional development award is presented to a television professional working in one of our chapters markets and seeking a BA or MA degree. The Chapter will continue this award.
No immediate arrangements have been made yet for the memorial. The Chapter asks that any donations be sent for her memorial scholarship.
Please visit https://emmysf.tv for more information.
