The results below are a preview from our May/June 2016 issue. For the full list of winners view our FREE interactive digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!
Yes, The Roanoker’s Best of Roanoke Reader Poll is the original, this year celebrating its 30th continuous year. It’s conducted with an open-ballot form, to allow maximum reader-vote choice. It’s the most popular, with 68,246 individual votes. It’s the one that spawned all the imitators . . . yes, it’s The Best of Roanoke, in 162 categories, as voted on by the best and brightest of the Roanoke Valley, our readers!
Your Local Hero
- Platinum: Chris Hurst, WDBJ 7 anchor
- Gold: Lisa Kirkwood, Legislative Director Local 482 at American Postal Workers Union
- Silver: Ed Walker, developer
Most Brilliant Mind
- Platinum: Ed Walker
- Gold (tie): Nancy Agee, President and CEO of Carilion Clinic; Michael Friedlander, Executive Director, Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC) Research Institute; Bob Goodlatte, Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives
Government Person Who Gets It
- Platinum: Sam Rasoul, Virginia House of Delegates Eleventh District
- Gold: Chris Morrill, Roanoke City Manager
- Silver: Bob Goodlatte
Government Person With Foot In Mouth
- Platinum: David Bowers, Roanoke City Mayor
- Gold: Court Rosen, Roanoke City Councilman
- Silver: Al Bedrosian, Hollins Magisterial District
Crown This Person King (Or Queen) Of The Valley
- Platinum: Pearl Fu, Founder & Executive Director at Local Colors
- Gold: Lisa Kirkwood
- Silver: Ed Walker
Most Inspiring Teacher
- Platinum: Victor Lamas, North Cross
- Gold (tie): Thomas Mann, Faith Christian School; Mark Jamison, Faith Christian School; Kate Campbell, Roanoke Catholic
Local Celeb You’d Want For Your Charity Event
- Platinum: John Carlin, WSLS10
- Gold: Leo Hirsbrunner, WDBJ7
- Silver: Chris Hurst, WDBJ7
TV News Person You Rely on Most
- Platinum: John Carlin, WSLS10
- Gold: Jean Jadhon, WDBJ7
- Silver: Chris Hurst, WDBJ7
TV Weather Person You Rely on Most
- Platinum: Robin Reed, WDBJ7
- Gold: Leo Hirsbrunner, WDBJ7
- Silver: Jeff Haniewich, WSLS10
TV Sports Person Getting It Across Best
- Platinum: Travis Wells, WDBJ7
- Gold: John Appicello, WSLS10
- Silver: Karen Loftus, WDBJ7
Most Fun On The Radio (personality)
- Platinum: Danny Meyers, K92
- Gold: Dick Daniels, Q99
- Silver: Brett Sharp, 94.9 Star Country
Best Serious Stuff On The Radio (station)
- Platinum: NPR WVTF
- Gold: WFIR
- Silver: Spirit FM
Best Music On The Radio (station)
- Platinum: K92 FM
- Gold: Q99 FM
- Silver: Spirit FM
