Roy began his broadcast news career in 1973 at Denver’s KDEN radio station working as a street reporter and station announcer. In 1974, he joined the Denver Police Department, where he served in various assignments, until 1986 when he returned to broadcast news. As a police officer, Roy worked as a street cop, motorcycle officer, academy instructor, detective sergeant, police academy supervising sergeant, and director of the city’s television production unit. Roy received several official commendations and over forty citizen commendations for his police work.
In 1981, the Denver Police Department and KMGH-TV joined forces in a unique television project called, “Crimestoppers.” Roy served as producer/talent for the series, which still airs on Denver television. In 1983, Roy was chosen to be part of a transition team that handled the transfer of power from one city administration to another. When the transfer was complete, he was then asked to create the department’s first Office of Public Information. This new office opened up a once closed department to the public and still is an important part of the Denver Police operation.
In 1986, Roy returned to broadcast journalism at KTVO television in Missouri. Roy served as a reporter, anchor, and news director at the station. In 1992, Roy moved to the Lynchburg/Roanoke television market as News Director at Virginia’s 13 ABC. In 1996, Roy was promoted to the position of President and General Manager at Virginia’s 13 ABC.
In 1999, Roy was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama. Within three years, the station moved to number one in news at 6pm and 10pm. During this time, Roy served on the board of directors for the Alabama Broadcasters Association and helped create Alabama’s AMBER Alert Plan. Roy has received numerous awards for his work in broadcast news, including a Regional Emmy Award, and the National Edward R. Murrow Award.
In 2004, he served as Director of Membership for the Alabama Broadcasters Association (ABA). While at the ABA, he represented the state’s broadcasters at several DOJ meetings regarding the National Amber Alert Project.
In 2005, Roy accepted the position of Consultant to the Dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama to develop the Center for the Future of Television. In November of 2005, Roy was selected to fill the role of General Manager at WVUA / WUOA TV.
In 2007, Roy became the Director of Commercial Broadcasting for the University of Alabama where he teaches Broadcast Management, Broadcast Journalism via Visual Storytelling and oversees the operation of the University’s two commercial television stations that now reach 3.1 million viewers over-the-air.
Roy’s team of professionals and students developed an award winning news operation at WVUA TV competing against major markets across the South.
In 2011, WVUA TV won 12 “Associated Press Awards,” 1 Alabama Broadcasters “ABBY” award, and 2 prestigious “Edward R. Murrow Awards,” and 1 “EMMY Nomination” in the professional category for excellence in news coverage.
Roy serves on the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee as the Chairman Elect Elect, on the DCH Foundation Board, and Alabama Broadcasters Association Board.
In 2012, the station competed against every major market station in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas to win three “Edward R. Murrow Awards” for news excellence. Won the American Advertising Federation Regional “Silver Addy Award” beating stations across the South including Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta. Won the Alabama Broadcasters Association “ABBY” award of merit competing against all stations in Alabama and won 14 “Associated Press Awards” for news excellence.
Roy co-chaired the University of Alabama’s 2011/2012 United Way Campaign where contributions exceeded all previous UA campaigns.
Roy has spoken to numerous professional and educational organizations regarding police and media relations including; the Society of Professional Journalists, the FBI National Academy Regional Meetings, The National AMBER Alert Conference, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Also, Roy has taught across the nation for the Department of Justice regarding police/media relations as it relates to implementation of an AMBER Alert.
In August, 2012 Roy was the unanimous choice of the Alabama Educational Television Commission to take over as Executive Director of Alabama Public Television. “We had some excellent candidates who applied,” commission chairman Ferris Stephens told Associated Press. “We all interviewed Mr. Clem, and it was a consensus that he was the best candidate. We’re pretty excited about him and about the future.”
Personal Broadcast/Other Awards:
National Edward R. Murrow Award – Best Spot News
Regional Emmy Award – The Holyland
Colorado Broadcasters Award
Iowa Associated Press Awards
Missouri Associated Press Awards
Missouri Broadcasters Association Awards
National “Iris” Award – Investigative Reporting
National “Oscar in Television” Award – University of Illinois at Urbana
Virginia Associated Press Awards
Radio Television News Directors Association – Edward R. Murrow Regional Awards for Best News, Best Spot News, and Best Feature
West Alabama Chamber of Commerce “Member of the Year”
West Alabama Chamber of Commerce “Distinguished Service”
University of Alabama “Capstone Hero Award”
Associations – Past and Present:
Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama – Chairman Elect Elect
DCH Foundation – Board Member
Literacy Council of West Alabama – Founding Board Member
American Advertising Federation Tuscaloosa – Board Member
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce – Former Trustee
Safehouse – Former Board Member
Interfaith Hospitality House –Former Board Member
Birmingham Crimestoppers – Former Board Member
Alabama Broadcasters Association–Former Board Member – Amber Alert Co-Chair –
Chelsea Kiwanis – Past President
Alabama Kiwanis – Past Lt. Governor
Virginia School of the Arts –———————– Board Member
Southwest Virginia Muscular Dystrophy Association — President
Lynchburg Kiwanis ——————————— President-Elect
Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce — Board Member
Roanoke/Lynchburg Red Cross ——————- Advisory Board Member
Virginia Association of Broadcasters ———— Board Member
Radio Television News Directors Association – Voting Member and Edward Murrow Awards Judge
Virginia Association of Broadcasters ———— Board Member
College:
University of the South – Sewanee School of Theology — EFM
University of Virginia – Darden School of Business – Special Broadcast Management Programs
Colorado State University
Church:
St. Stephen’s Birmingham
Licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister – LEM
Elected Delegate to Diocesan Convention – 2003-2007
Personal:
Married – 40 years – “Karla”
Two children – “Jeremiah” 37 & “Mandy” 35
Three granddaughters, one grandson
