Neal Spelce

Neal Spelce, revered television news anchor and Austin icon, has been named one of the 1990-91 College of Communication Outstanding Alumni.

Spelce earned multiple degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and the College of Communication. He served as chair of the College of Communication Advisory Council, is past president of the Texas Exes and is currently a member of the Chancellor’s Council.

Spelce is chairman and CEO of the Neal Spelce Company. He is also CEO of Ninth Wave Productions, editor and publisher of The Neal Spelce Austin Letter and a member of the board of directors of Franklin Bank in Austin.

Spelce was named Austin’s Most Worthy Citizen in recognition of his civic and charitable work, including service as chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Austin, the United Way and the Better Business Bureau. He has also served as president of the Austin Area Research Organization, the Boy Scouts of America Capital Area Council, the Austin Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Headliners Club.

Spelce has also received the National Headliners Club’s highest national award for “consistently outstanding television news coverage in the nation,” the nation’s top award for radio reporting (Society of Professional Journalists) and the nation’s highest public relations award (PRSA’s Silver Anvil). In addition, the American Women in Radio and Television and the Austin Advertising Foundation have presented him their lifetime achievement awards. He is also the youngest person ever selected for a CBS Fellowship in News and Public Affairs.