Elmer Beseler Harris

Background

Harris, Elmer Beseler was born on April 8, 1939 in Chilton County, Alabama, United States. Son of Alton Clauton and Lera (Mitchell) Harris.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Auburn University, 1962. Master of Science, Auburn University, 1968. Master of Business Administration, Auburn University, 1970.

Student, United States Air Force Flight School, Texas, 1964. Student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama, 1970.

Career

Harris first came to national attention when he was the first Newfoundlander elected as National President of the Radio Television News Directors Association of Canada. Under his leadership meetings were held with the Commons Standing Committee on Broadcasting to introduce Broadcasting of the House of Commons in Ottawa on a national television channel. Harris first recognized the broadcasting talents of Rex Murphy, a noted Canadian commentator.

These awards were presented for outstanding humanitarian service to Canada.

Harris started the Janeway Children"s Foundation in Newfoundland and Labrador. He also established the Children"s Wish Foundation of Canada in the province and was the first President of the VOCM Cares Foundation.

Harris was instrumental in Forming the Joseph R. Smallwood Foundation and along with Memorial University President Moses Morgan and businessman, Paul Johnson (philanthropistElmer )|Paul Johnson, completed Newfoundland Encyclopedia. This work was started by Premier Smallwood but unfinished at the time of his death.

Elmer Harris is a former President of RTNDA Canada and lifer at VOCM Radio who retired from broadcasting in 2000.

“Elmer is a forward-thinker who moved VOCM and its network newsrooms into the technological age early when he introduced computers in the 70’s and a website by the mid 80’s,” said Past President Gerry Phelan who nominated Elmer for this prestigious award. Elmer worked his way from a rookie reporter to Vice President and Assistant to the President at VOCM Radio and for over 40 years was an integral part of the station. In a simultaneous presentation in the province of Quebec on June 7, 2008 Harris was given two national awards, one from the Children"s Wish Foundation and the other from the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

The Children"s Wish presented Harris with the Laura Cole Award for volunteer of the year and the Kidney Foundation presented him with the David Ornstein Award for distinguished service.

Achievements

• Elmer Beseler Harris has been listed as a noteworthy electric utility executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Board directors Alabama Council Economic Education, Birmingham Area council Boy Scouts of America, Public Affairs Research Council Alabama, United Way. Trustee Samford University, Southern Research Institute. Member advisory board St. Vincent Hospital.

Member Edison Electric Institute, Southeastern Electric Exchange, Society of America Military Engineers, Summit Club, Montgomery Club, Rotary.

Connections

Married Glenda Steele, September 15, 1962. Children: Lera Lorraine, Thomas Alton.

Father:

Alton Clauton Harris

Mother:

Lera (Mitchell) Harris

Spouse:

Glenda Steele

child:

Thomas Alton Harris

child:

Lera Lorraine Harris