The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Rick Williams began his broadcasting career in the spring of 1977 while still a student at Ohio State University. He was chosen for one of two internships at WOSU, the Public Broadcasting radio and TV outlet in Columbus, Ohio. Rick got up early before classes each weekday morning to record and edit overnight news feeds.

After graduation in June of '77, WOSU hired Rick as summer vacation relief. On August 16th, he was sent into the broadcast booth, interrupting a classical music show, to report the death of Elvis Presley.

Rick later worked at WCVO and WMNI Radio in Columbus, covering news and sports. His beats included the Statehouse, City Hall, the courts, plus Ohio State football and basketball along with high school games of the week. Rick made the jump to television in 1980 at WCMH-TV, NBC4. He manned the assignment desk before switching to 11 pm weekday producer.

Rick's journey to WPVI-TV came in the summer of 1982 with a resume and tape sent to a blind box classified ad in Broadcasting Magazine. Days later, a phone call from Action News launched his career in Philadelphia. Rick first produced the weekend 6 & 11 pm newscasts with anchorman Rob Jennings for 5 years. In early 1987, he became the weekday producer for the top-rated Action News at 6 with Jim Gardner. It was a pairing that lasted nearly 13 years, and more than 3000 newscasts.

In October 1999, Rick was promoted to executive producer, overseeing the noon, 5 and 6 pm newscasts. More recently, in April of 2015, he became E.P. for Action News at 11, and Action News at 10 on PHL 17.

Along the way, Rick has field produced at major news events including the Statue of Liberty's 100th anniversary celebration in 1986, The L.A. Riots, and several State of the Union addresses and Presidential Inaugurations in Washington, D.C.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com