Brian Grystar has worked in television news for more than 25 years, serving as a video photographer, editor and media manager at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.
He began his career at the station as an intern in 2000 and was hired immediately after graduating from Slippery Rock University. Since then, he has contributed to nearly every aspect of broadcast production, both in the newsroom and in the field. His primary focus is visual storytelling, with a passion for documenting pivotal moments in Pittsburgh’s history through photography and editing.
In his time at KDKA, Grystar has performed a wide range of technical roles, including digital content production, studio camera operation, Final Cut Pro editing, video producing, ENG operations, live truck operation, and teleprompter work. His versatile skill set and long-standing commitment to local journalism have made him a key figure behind the scenes of Pittsburgh’s television news landscape. He is a recipient of a regional Emmy Award for his contributions to broadcast journalism.
Outside of his work at KDKA, Grystar has served as a freelance video photographer for WQED-Pittsburgh and as a photographer and audio engineer at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows through IATSE Local 820. He also works at Thunderbird Music Hall and shares his creative work through his YouTube channel, Grystar Vids. He remains an active member of IATSE Local 820.
Grystar earned a Bachelor of Science in communication with a concentration in radio and television from Slippery Rock University in 2000. While at SRU, he was involved with WRSK, the student production company, and club soccer.
HOF inductees
Deanna Tomaselli is vice president of client services at The Motherhood, an early pioneer in influencer marketing.
In her role, she leads client strategy across influencer engagement, social media and earned media relations, working with major consumer brands and nonprofit organizations. She also manages campaigns from planning through execution and measurement, drawing on a career that spans corporate, agency and in-house communications.
Prior to joining The Motherhood in 2020, Tomaselli held leadership roles at Red Havas, where she served as associate vice president, and at rue21 as media relations manager. Her work has earned consistent recognition, including multiple PRSA Renaissance Awards and individual honors such as PRSA Pittsburgh’s Member of the Year (2019), Rising Star Award (2011), and Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 (2014). She has also been recognized for her internal leadership, winning the IncREDible Work Award at Red Havas and the Big Idea Award at MARC USA.
Beyond her professional work, Tomaselli has made significant contributions to the Pittsburgh community and the field of public relations. She served for more than a decade on the PRSA Pittsburgh board, where she led public service initiatives including pro bono campaigns for NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s CEOs Against Stigma campaign. She is also a former president of the Pittsburgh chapter of Ellevate, a global women’s leadership network, and has volunteered with the Heinz History Center and PodCamp Pittsburgh. In 2025, she served as keynote speaker for the Rising Currents: NextGen PRSSA Conference and will begin supporting Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary’s communications efforts.
A 2006 graduate of Slippery Rock University, Tomaselli earned a Bachelor of Science in public relations, graduating with honors. While at SRU, she served on the executive board of PRSSA, was club president of the women’s lacrosse team, edited the communication department’s newsletter, and was a member of the American Marketing Association. She continues to support SRU through mock interviews, senior project judging and service on the communication department’s advisory board.
Chelsey Rovesti is senior marketing manager at Infectious Disease Connect, a health care technology company spun out of UPMC Enterprises.
In her role, she leads digital strategy for SaaS and telemedicine services, supporting demand generation, content development, corporate communications and branding. She serves as lead content strategist for the company’s website and digital properties, develops email and advertising campaigns, and supports sales enablement efforts including conference planning and marketing automation. She also contributes to internal culture as a member of the company’s employee council.
Previously, Rovesti held leadership roles in education and nonprofit communications. As director of marketing communications at UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, she oversaw all strategic communications and branding efforts, led a complete rebrand and website refresh, and supported record-breaking fundraising events. Prior to that, she served as director of communications at Central Catholic High School, where she led a full-scale brand redesign, managed crisis communications and expanded digital fundraising campaigns. Her earlier experience includes social media strategy roles at DICK’S Sporting Goods and Point Park University.
With more than 15 years of experience, Rovesti has supported a wide range of regional and national organizations, including CALIA by Carrie, Golf Galaxy, Quaker Steak & Lube, Cooper Tire, and The Pennsylvania Lottery. She specializes in brand development, digital storytelling, email marketing, and social media, with a strong foundation in data-driven strategy and cross-platform content development.
Rovesti earned a Bachelor of Science from Slippery Rock University in 2010, graduating summa cum laude with a double major in communication—public relations and emerging technology and multimedia—and a minor in Spanish. As a student, she was involved with PRSSA, WSRU-TV, The Rocket, The Society for Collegiate Journalists and the varsity women’s lacrosse team. She remains active in the SRU communication department as a senior seminar judge and mentor, and she has served in leadership roles with PRSA Pittsburgh.
Founder's Award
Joseph C. Harry is an associate professor emeritus in the Department of Strategic Communication and Media where he taught introductory and advanced journalism courses. He was a newspaper reporter for more than a decade prior to his move into academia. He joined the SRU communication faculty in 1998. Dr. Harry holds a master's degree in journalism from The Ohio State University and a doctorate degree from Michigan State University in mass media studies.
His published research has centered on the sociology and practice of news sourcing, the rhetoric and ethics of mass communication, and more recently the linguistic and semiotic contours related to the semantics and pragmatics of journalistic quotation.
