Television Academy COO Alan Perris to Retire

North Hollywood, CA – Alan Perris, longtime chief operating officer of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Academy Foundation, announced that he will retire at the end of this year. 

A search has been underway for a successor to Perris.

Perris, who joined the Television Academy in early 2006, has overseen the day-to-day activities of the Academy and its Foundation and their various long-term initiatives, and managed all executives in charge of all key departments.

Under Perris' watch, the Academy expanded its annual Emmy® competition to include broadband and digital content, embraced professionals working on content for a variety of platforms, and grew its membership by 30%, from 14,000 to its current 18,000.

Additionally, Perris oversaw the expansion of the award-winning Emmy® magazine from 6 to 9 issues per year, and helped restore the Hall of Fame ceremony to an annual event.

"Over the past eight years, Alan has provided the expert leadership required to grow and change the Academy for the better," said Television Academy chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum. "We thank him for his hard work and service during his time at the Television Academy."

"Throughout Alan's tenure," Television Academy Foundation chair Jerry Petry added, "the Foundation has generated increased growth which has brought more awareness and funding support for the Foundation's programs and initiatives, including the College Television Awards, Student Internship and the Archive of American Television, to name a few."

"It has truly been a pleasure to head up these two fine staffs representing the iconic brand of television excellence, the Emmy," said Perris. "I look back with great pride over my 47 years in this wonderful industry, and now will pursue the things I love including spending time with family, friends and improving my golf game."

Perris — who served many years as a television station general manager and also as a senior television production and programming executive before working with the Television Academy — is credited with developing such successful shows as The Ricki Lake Show and Judge Mathis, among other programs.

Read more about Perris here at the Television Academy Media Center.