Artie Kempner
Quick Facts
Biography
Artie Kempner is an American director for FOX Sports. He is widely recognized for his work on the NFL, directing Super Bowls XLII (2008) and XXXIX (2005), as well as NASCAR, where he's directed 14 Daytona 500 races. His directorial credits also include the Masters, NCAA Basketball tournament, NBA for Turner Sports, Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network, the NFL playoffs on NBC Sports, the NHL on Fox, as well as the Fox prime time entertainment special, Opening the Lost Tombs: Live from Egypt (1999). Kempner was a consultant, and voice actor on the Pixar film, "Cars."
Background
Artie Kempner attended John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, NY, and was inducted into the School's Hall of Fame in 2013. He graduated from The University of Florida in 1981 with a degree in Journalism and Communications. He also played varsity football while at Florida. Kempner now lives in Wilmington, Delaware with his wife Marcy and three sons Matt, Ethan, and Jack.
Career
Kempner is a 12-time Sports Emmy winner. Most recently in the category of "Best Sports Series," as director of Fox Sports coverage of NASCAR, which has won 4 times, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
Autism advocacy
Artie Kempner is the founding president of Autism Delaware. Along with his wife Marcy, and a dedicated group of parents, Autism Delaware has gone from an all-volunteer organization based in the Kempner's home, to a lifespan service agency. The adult services arm of the organization known as POW&R, is an award winning program that currently serves over 145 individuals on the autism spectrum. Kempner has been passionate advocating for the Autism community since 1998 when his son Ethan was diagnosed with the disorder. His proudest achievements are helping to establish the Fox supports program, establishing the Autism Speaks 400, now known as the "AAA 400 Drive for Autism" at Dover International Speedway. Kempner was a finalist for the Home Depot's Humanitarian of the Year award. Kempner was honored with the 2015 OM Foundation Award in February 2015 in Cincinnati, at The National Sports Forum, the largest crossâteam sports sales and marketing conference in North America. This award recognizes individuals in the sports and entertainment industry who go above and beyond to strengthen their community. Kempner is the Tournament Chairman for the Drive for Autism Celebrity-Am Golf event held annually at the Dupont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware. The event has raised over $6 million since the inaugural tournament in 2002.
Kempner and his wife Marcy were part of a small group of parents that started Autism Delaware in 1998. The organization operated out of their house for the first five years of operation., The Kempners have helped raise over $5 million for Autism Delaware. The group has now served over 1,000 children and adults living with the disorder.