Leta Powell Drake


Leta Powell Drake is an American broadcaster, television producer, screenwriter and television personality who has been a sort of celebrity on Lincoln, Nebraska television who has enjoyed a longtime career in broadcast television as host, producer, writer, announcer and program director there. During her 60-year professional broadcasting career, she hosted and produced over 10,000 television shows. She continues hosting Live & Learn, a program for seniors on 5 City TV in Lincoln, Nebraska. She has been inducted into the Nebraska Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Press Women's Hall of Fame. She has acted in more than 100 plays and 2 movies. She has been the featured speaker or emcee for hundreds of civic and social groups. She is a licensed private pilot. She is a former member of the National Association of Television Program Executives. She is also one of the creators of the Star City Holiday Parade. She has won city championships in horseshoe pitching, golf and bowling.
A member of the Screen Actor's Guild, Drake serves on the boards of the University of Nebraska College of Fine and Performing Arts; UNL Alumni Association; Osher Life Long Learning Institute at UNL; Lincoln General Hospital Auxiliary; Mayor's Film Commission; Muscular Dystrophy Association; Lincoln Advertising Federation; Lincoln Community Playhouse; Theatre Arts for Youth; YMCA; The Salvation Army; 99's ; Nebraskans for Public Television; Nebraska Public Radio; and many others.

Career

Drake began her broadcasting career at KDAL-TV in Duluth, Minnesota. In 1956, the VFW sponsored the "Voice of Democracy" essay contest for high school students. Leta's voice was recorded for the first time and she won the city championship. The TV station offered her a part-time job as she attended the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She learned quickly and began as talent on commercials and was the "Bingo Girl" on a live Bingo program.

KOLN-TV

Drake served as KOLN-TV's program director for 28 years, where she purchased and scheduled programs, and also served as a writer, program producer, and on-air host, as well as the public affairs director, and director of children's programming, talent development and sales. She also hosted and produced the 10/11 Morning Show for 25 years. She interviewed over 1,000 movie and TV celebrities, humanitarians and two presidents.
In 1967, Drake created the character of Kalamity Kate, the West's only lady sheriff for 15 years on Cartoon Corral. This program had a large audience from across Nebraska. "Cartoon Corral" went off the air in 1982, but Drake said hardly a day goes by when someone doesn't refer to the show.

Nebraska Public Television (NPT)

Drake server as the assistant network program manager for Nebraska Public Television for 13 years. She also programmed the nine station state network and cable system there, as well.
Drake became the spokesperson for Nebraska Public Television through their fund drives and auctions. While she was programming manager, NPT reached all time highs in membership and donations.

Salvation Army

Director of Development and Community Relations.

Other experience