Sandra Maas Explained

Sandra Lynn Maas
Birth Date:13 January 1963
Occupation:Broadcast journalist (1983-present)
Children:2
Birthname:Sandra Lynn Maas
Alias:Sandra Lynn Burgess
Spouse:Jim Burgess, 1986 - present[1]

Sandra Maas (born January 13, 1963) is an American television news anchor. She has worked in the San Diego, California area since 1990 and is the founding host of the Trailblazing Women video series for the Women’s Museum of California. She has won a regional Emmy Award.

Early life and education

Sandra Lynn Maas was born on January 13, 1963, raised in Mission Viejo, California. Her father, Frank Maas, owned a window tinting business and her mother, Dorothea (Brockman) Maas, was an elementary school principal. She graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Chico, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications in 1985. During college, Maas worked as a news anchor for KCHO Chico and KPAY radio, Redding. She transitioned to television during her senior year in college, serving as weeknight co-anchor at ABC affiliate, KRCR-TV.[2]

Career

In 1986, Maas moved to NBC affiliate KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo, California, where she co-anchored the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts. Maas also served as the station's medical reporter at the start of the AIDS crisis, earning a Golden Mike Award for her on-air work.[2] In 1990, Maas relocated to San Diego and CBS Affiliate KFMB-TV, where she co-anchored News 8 at 4pm with Mitch Duncan.[3] In addition, she served as the station's medical reporter and worked for CBS Newspath as a national medical correspondent.[4] During this time, Maas was also a regular fill-in on the Jeff and Jer Morning Show on Star 94.1.[5] In 1993, she had a bit part in the CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless, playing the role of nurse Sally Winslow.[6] In 2001, Maas was part of a mass exodus that left KFMB-TV when it severed ties with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.[7] [8] She resigned after an unsuccessful contract renegotiation.[9] In 2002, Maas was a freelance journalist for then-Fox affiliate XETV in San Diego.[10] In 2004, Maas moved to KUSI-TV, serving first as a co-anchor on Good Morning San Diego and in 2006 adding host duties for the lifestyle show Inside San Diego with Andrea Naversen.[11] [12] In 2009, she became weeknight co-anchor of The KUSI News at 6 and 10pm with Allen Denton.

Maas has been mistress of ceremonies of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards since 1993. She also volunteers as Mistress of Ceremonies or moderator for several non-profit organization events.[13]

In 2020 Maas joined the board of the “Women’s Museum of California” in San Diego and launched “Trailblazing Women,” a video series that she hosted for the museum.[14] [15] In 2022 she was named board president.[16] The series won a regional Emmy in 2023.[17]

Equal pay lawsuit

On June 25, 2019 Maas filed a lawsuit alleging discriminatory practices by KUSI-TV and station General Manager Mike McKinnon Jr. in particular.[18] She claims she was abruptly terminated for attempting to open a dialogue about compensation. The trial started on February 3, 2023.[19] [20]

On March 9, 2023 a San Diego Superior Court jury awarded Maas more than 1.7 million from McKinnon Broadcasting, the company that owned KUSI-TV at the time, finding that the station violated equal pay laws by paying Maas less than her co-anchor.[21] The jury also found for Maas in her whistleblower claim, but ruled KUSI was not guilty of age or gender discrimination.[22]

Awards and recognition

Community contributions

Maas served as moderator for the Greater San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Congressional Delegation debate.[30] She has also hosted The San Diego County District Attorney's "The National Crime Vigil."[31]

She has hosted or acted as mistress of ceremonies for fundraisers for the Salvation Army, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The ARC-San Diego, and Rady Children's Hospital.[32] [33] [34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Frank Willis Maas Obituary: View Frank Maas's Obituary by San Diego Union-Tribune. . July 17, 2019.
  2. Lightbourn, Arthur. “Medical reporting a special passion for award-winning broadcast journalist.” Carmel Valley News. July 9, 2004. p. 8.
  3. Green, Frank (October 26, 1995). "New Looking News." The San Diego Union-Tribune, p. C1.
  4. News: Sandra Maas . KUSI.com . 2014-05-27 . 2014-06-07.
  5. Kinnefors, Sofie (December 2011) "A Holiday Tradition for the birds." San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles, p. 112.
  6. TV Listings (February 24, 1993), "Sandra Maas on the Young & the Restless." The San Diego Union Tribune, p. 58.
  7. Turegano, Preston The News at 8, October 29, 2001
  8. Turegano, Preston Two reporters soon to be history as Ch. 8 does more housecleaning July 25, 2001.
  9. Brass, Kevin. "When the News IS the News". San Diego Magazine. June 26, 2007.
  10. Turegano, Preston "Miller is a blessing for 8; Tuck, Villareal KUSI coups" UT San Diego. December 20, 2004.
  11. Peterson, Karla "High-profile changes alter local TV news lineup" UT San Diego. January 5, 2008.
  12. http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060410/news_mz1c10broad.html "KUSI makes over 10 a.m. show"
  13. Web site: Photo of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards with Maas as Mistress of Ceremonies. July 17, 2019.
  14. Web site: Trailblazing Women with Sandra Maas . 2024-01-19 . Women's Museum . en.
  15. Web site: Naversen . Andrea . 2020-09-07 . Sandra Maas talks with top female leader . 2020-11-11 . Ranch & Coast Magazine.
  16. News: Board of Directors - Women's Museum of California . Women's Museum . en.
  17. Web site: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter - Emmy® Award Recipients .
  18. Web site: June 25, 2019 . Former KUSI News anchor sues station for $10 million . 2019-06-26 . CBS8.
  19. Web site: Stone . Ken . 2023-02-02 . KUSI Seeks to Bar Press, Public from Parts of Sandra Maas Equal-Pay Trial . 2023-02-04 . Times of San Diego . en-US.
  20. Web site: Holmes . Keristen . February 3, 2023 . Former San Diego TV anchor, Sandra Maas suing KUSI . 2023-02-04 . cbs8.com . en-US.
  21. Web site: Stone . Ken . 2023-07-16 . Sandra Maas Legal Team Seeks $4 Million from KUSI in Attorney Fees, Other Costs . 2023-07-19 . Times of San Diego . en-US.
  22. News: Figueroa . Teri . Jury awards former news anchor Sandra Maas more than $1.5M in discrimination lawsuit against KUSI . San Diego Union-Tribune . 10 March 2023.
  23. Associated Press "Eyewitness News nabs 2 honors from APTRA awards" Bakersfield Now. March 3, 2011
  24. http://www.kusi.com/video?clipId=9284993&autostart=true "Our very own Sandra Maas wins The Silver Circle Award"
  25. https://www.ranchandcoast.com/2016/01/01/women-of-dedication-presentation/ "Women of Dedication honorees recognized at ‘The Gift of Giving’ luncheon"
  26. Web site: 2017-07-26. Ranch & Coast Best Of 2017: People & Philanthropy. 2021-12-19. Ranch & Coast Magazine. en-US.
  27. Web site: Women of Influence 50 Over 50 2021. 2021-12-19. San Diego Business Journal.
  28. News: Mayor Gloria Honors Sandra Maas and Other Influential 'Women of Distinction' . www.sandiego.gov . March 14, 2023.
  29. Web site: Emmy Award Recipients. June 2023. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter. 19 January 2024.
  30. Stone, Ken. “Issa Offers Dems a Trade: Back XL Pipeline to Speed Border Crossings.” Imperial Beach Patch. April 21, 2013.
  31. Shroder, Susan. “Stray bullet victim recalled at Tribute.” UT-San Diego. April 22, 2013.
  32. Beeson, Julia “Party Pages.” San Diego Magazine. May 30, 2007.
  33. Cavagnaro, Diana. “Fashion Files: Golden Hangar Awards, Medavog and Zupan.” Sdnews.com. 2010.
  34. http://www.arc-sd.com/document.doc?id=25 “Spotlight”

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