Hayma Washington makes history as Television Academy’s first African American chairman and CEO

Hayma “Screech” Washington will be the next chairman and CEO of the Television Academy Board of Governors, the academy announced Friday. The first African American to hold the job, he will succeed Bruce Rosenblum.

Washington, who produces and directs under the aegis of his own company, Screechers Pix, and was an exec producer on “The Amazing Race,” will begin his two-year term on Jan. 1, 2017.

“This is a time of considerable change for our industry and I am deeply committed to ensuring that the academy is at the forefront as we move towards a more inclusive future,” Washington said in a statement issued by the group responsible for the Emmy Awards.

Rosenblum, president of business operations for Disney/ABC Television Group, has headed up the board of governors since 2012.

The board’s other incoming officers will be Frank Scherma, as vice chair; Steve Venezia, second vice chair; Susan Nessanbaum-Goldberg, secretary; Allison Binder, treasurer; and Mitch Waldow, Los Angeles-area vice chair.

Twenty-nine new governors were also elected to serve from Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2018. They’ll join 29 existing governors whose terms started in 2016 and run through 2017. A full list of names can be seen on the TV Academy’s website.

Follow Christie D’Zurilla on Twitter @theCDZ.

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