Carroll County resident honored for more than 50 years of broadcast industry contributions
Producer, creator, and host of the Maryland Public Television (MPT) series MotorWeek John Davis was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter’s (NATAS-NCCB) prestigious Gold Circle during ceremonies held on October 7 in Richmond, Virginia. Davis was one of three television industry professionals who entered the NATAS-NCCB Gold Circle as members of the class of 2023. MPT’s Linda Taggart, vice president, Development, was inducted into the Silver Circle the same evening.
The Gold Circle recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the broadcast or cable industry for 50 years or more, while the Silver Circle recognizes those who have achieved the same for 25 years or more. The Gold and Silver Circles are often referred to as the Academy’s “Hall of Fame.” Davis is among just 26 individuals who have been inducted into the NATAS-NCCB Gold Circle since the award was established in 2005. This distinguished group includes four other industry contributors with MPT affiliation: Zvi Shoubin (2011); Rhea Feikin (2014); Lou Davis (2015); and George Beneman (2019). Davis was inducted into the Silver Circle in 2017.
Phil Stolz, former president of Baltimore’s WBAL-TV, contributed to Davis’ nomination, saying, “There are very few individuals with such a historic career lasting decades in the television business. As many other shows and personalities have faded away over the years, John Davis remains at the pinnacle of the broadcast and cable world.”
As host of MotorWeek, now in its 43rd season, Davis puts new car models through extensive road tests and judges their practicality for buyers. He also acts as final editor on road test segments and writes many of the test opinions as well as other portions of the program. The series affords him the rare chance to bring the enjoyment of a hobby to his professional life and use his broadcasting, engineering, and analytical expertise to offer insights to those who enjoy cars.
Davis and the MotorWeek team have worked with the U.S. Department of Energy to promote public awareness of alternative fuels. During 2004-2005, he served as spokesperson for a North Carolina Department of Transportation initiative promoting annual automotive emissions inspections. In 2002, Davis was spokesperson for “Smooth Operator,” a public awareness campaign on aggressive driving in the tri-state area of Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Prior to creating MotorWeek, Davis served at MPT as producer, executive producer, and senior executive producer of the iconic PBS series Wall $treet Week with Louis Rukeyser for most of the show’s three- decade run.
Davis is a founder of the North American Car & Truck of the Year Awards, the only independent journalistic automotive award in North America. He is also one of the organizers and an original member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. Davis is a former president of the International Motor Press Association, the oldest and most prestigious organization of automotive journalists in North America.
Davis has received some of the highest awards in automotive journalism and television, including two Emmy® Awards. In 2007, he earned a NATAS-NCCB Emmy® in 2007 and, in 1998, one from the NATAS Chicago-Midwest Chapter. He also earned an International Automotive Media Competition Award in 2005 from the International Society for Vehicle Preservation. He was honored with International Wheel Awards in 2003 and 2004 and two Golden Wheel Awards in 1999, including the grand award, from the Detroit Press Foundation, which recognizes the best in automotive journalism. In 2014, Davis received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Motor Press Association.
An alumnus of North Carolina State University, Davis earned a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina.
Born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, he has been a resident of Carroll County since 1973.
About MPT
Launched in 1969 and headquartered in Owings Mills, MD, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). MPT’s six transmitters cover Maryland plus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards, MPT creates local, regional, and national television shows. Beyond broadcast, MPT’s commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through year-round instructional events and the super-website Thinkport, which garners in excess of five million page views annually. MPT’s community engagement connects viewers with local resources on significant health, education, and public interest topics through year-round outreach events, viewer forums, program screenings, and phone bank call-in opportunities. For more information visit mpt.org.
