Lew Klein was presented with the inaugural NATPE Founders Award today, at the opening session of this year’s conference.
Mr. Klein, one of the founders of NATPE, was recognized for his contributions to the association, notably his instrumental role in organizing its first meeting in 1964. He served as president in 1969 and in 1978 started the NATPE Educational Foundation, of which he is president.
“No one has done so much for so long on behalf of NATPE,” said Emerson Coleman, NATPE co-chair and Hearst-Argyle Television vice president of programming.
Coleman presented the award to Mr. Klein’s wife, Janet, as Mr. Klein was unable to attend due to illness. “From its inception NATPE has served producers, distributors and programmers in bringing us together to benefit our profession as the premier content organization,” she said on his behalf, adding Mr. Klein is “especially gratified with the contribution the NATPE Educational Foundation has made during the past 30 years.”
Mr. Klein’s resume includes stints as president of Gateway Communications, director of television programming for the Triangle Group, executive producer of “American Bandstand” and producer of Philadelphia Phillies baseball telecasts for 14 years.
He has been a faculty member in the University of Pennsylvania’s English Department, adjunct professor at Temple University in Philadelphia and visiting lecturer at the Sorbonne in Paris.