Biographies
Emilio Nicolas, Jr.
Emilio started in broadcasting as a prop-boy in San Antonio at the age
of thirteen. Through high school and college he worked as a technician,
news cameraperson, news director, and salesperson in television. In those
same years, he promoted entertainment events through his own business,
Campus Programming. After graduating from the University of Texas School
of Law he went to New York as Director of Special Projects for the Spanish
International Network, precursor to Univision. There, he produced this
country’s first Spanish language Presidential campaign coverage,
planned the first Spanish language cable channel, known as Galavision,
developed and operated a Spanish radio sales organization, and licensed
the first low power television station.
In 1980 Emilio served as General Manager of KDTV, channel 14, San Francisco.
He became increasingly interested in the application of journalism to
the needs of a culturally specific audience. In 1985, he produced special
news coverage and a victim assistance campaign relative to the Mexico
City earthquake that earned KDTV a Peabody Award for news and "outstanding
commitment to an audience", and a National Emmy nomination. Emilio
also produced the first Spanish TV special on AIDS. The station went on
to win St. Francis Awards for General Excellence by a Station and Best
Feature Program.
In early 1988, he went on to manage WXTV in New York, where he redesigned
the local news and made other changes which led the station to first place
in the Spanish market. He was again quickly promoted in mid-1989 to run
KMEX-TV in Los Angeles, the nation’s largest Spanish language television
station. Emilio returned to his hometown of San Antonio to develop Nicolas
Communications, a group of LPTV Stations in Texas and other commercial
ventures.
He served nine years on the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross.
This volunteer service included two years as Chairman of the International
Services Committee and representation of the American Red Cross on the
Executive Council of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Society
in Geneva, Switzerland.
Returning to television management, Emilio has served as VP & General
Manager of KVDA-TV, Telemundo, in San Antonio since June of 2000. Telemundo
was acquired by NBC in 2001. In March 2003, he joined Pappas Telecasting
as General Manager of KAZH-TV in Houston, TX. This is a new Azteca America
affiliate. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Texas Public Radio,
where he served two terms as Chairperson.
Emilio is married to Tari Anderson and has two sons, Emilio and Daniel.
Emilio is pursuing a joint graduate degree at the Syracuse University
College of Law and the Newhouse School of Communications, Daniel is an
undergraduate at Columbia University.