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MARCH/APRIL 2021

WBA Awards Gala Update on Page 3!

Sen. Smith to visit Summer Conference CHAIR’S COLUMN The President and CEO of the National Association Positivity important as end to pandemic nears of Broadcasters is coming to the WBA Summer Con- ference in August. Is it spring? As I write this, we are experiencing mild weather and many parts of have hit 50 Senator Gordon Smith will be the keynote speaker degrees. After the bitter cold temperatures we had in on Aug. 26, the second day of the conference at the February how can a person not think of spring. Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan. Sue Keenom, Senior Vice President, State, Interna- We are steadily showing signs of ending the COVID Smith tional, and Board Relations for NAB, will be joining pandemic. There was a recent article from Dr. Marty him. Makary of John Hopkins University that read the U.S. could reach herd immunity early in the second “We’re thrilled to have Sen. Smith join us as we celebrate the 70th Chris Bernier quarter this year and may already be reaching it. He year of the WBA,” said WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind. WBA Chair states that COVID cases have dropped 77 percent in “This will be our first opportunity to gather since the pandemic and the Untied States in the last six weeks. We try to provide positive facts a perfect occasion to celebrate.” like this to our staff, particularly our salespeople. When making sales Smith joined the National Association of Broadcasters as president calls, I want our people to be positive. The last thing a business owner and CEO in November 2009. Prior to joining NAB, Sen. Smith served wants is a salesperson with depressing news and we recommend that as a two-term U.S. senator from and later as senior advisor in they do not participate in negative conversations with the business the offices of Covington & Burling, LLP. owner or agency. An upbeat sales rep is much more welcome at the Please plan to join us in showing Sen. Smith and Sue Keenom some business. As managers we need to try and a positive environ- fabulous Wisconsin hospitality! ment for the entire staff. Continued on page 3>

CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Diversity Committee formed...... 2 In-person events returning this summer Awards Gala plans set...... 3 Rarely do we talk with a WBA only two weeks before Broadcasters Clinic, there Report from CES...... 4 member who doesn’t mention their will not be a “traditional” Engineering Day run- desire to get back to networking with ning concurrent with the conference, however, Radio vets resurrect station...... 5 their fellow broadcasters. We most we will continue working with our Clinic Chair Stations making a difference.... 5-6 Michelle definitely share in that desire and are and MTI Chair on plans for a smaller event for Vetterkind, very excited to return to in-person our engineers, including some form of our Media Member news...... 7 CAE events with the return of our Summer Technology Institute (MTI). Conference and Broadcasters Clinic. WBA membership roster...... 8 WBA President Please look for an agenda soon for the Summer and CEO Statewide tornado drill...... 9 Our WBA Summer Conference will Conference! take place Aug. 25-26 at the beautiful Broadcasters Clinic planning underway Names in the News...... 10 Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan on the shores of Broadcasters Clinic has also changed dates, but in In Remembrance...... 11 Lake . As you’ll notice above, we’re honored to welcome Senator Gordon Smith who will be our the opposite direction. Because the NAB Show is Student Seminar report...... 12 keynote speaker. now running during Clinic’s traditional meeting time, Clinic is being moved up to Sept. 8-10, WBA Foundation contributors....13 Moving the conference from June to August gave us which means we’re getting a jump on planning the best chance at having a Summer Conference that Jowett Fellowship available...... 13 that event as well. We’ve already opened registra- best resembles our traditional conferences. Plus – it’s tion to exhibitors and will soon have an agenda Scholarship winners...... 14 our WBA 70th Anniversary celebration! The hope is to share. We know this group, as well, is also very that by delaying the conference for 10 weeks, we will Student Leadership award...... 14 excited to get back to meeting in person! be providing more time for distribution of the vaccine Student Award winners...... 15 so that more of you might be comfortable attending Inspiration from students, broadcasters in person. Calendar of Events...... 16 You can’t help but be inspired whenever broad- Because the new dates put our Summer Conference Continued on page 2> PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 casting students and professionals for broadcasting in Wisconsin. Stay tuned. are in the same space. While they couldn’t meet Thank you to Mark Strachota in person this year, the virtual version of the Student Seminar sought to give students some- Mark Strachota recently retired as general Wisconsin Broadcasters Association thing the pandemic has deprived them of… manager of WDJT-TV in . He was a time with professionals. The students always member of the WBA Board and we thank him Officers & Board of Directors come with great curiosity and the professionals so much for his service to the OFFICERS 2020-2021 are reinvigorated with the spirit of ambitious board. Chair of the Board Chris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/ students. Mark will be recognized at Fond du Lac our WBA Summer Confer- I’m sure everyone will be excited to get together Vice Chair - TV, Chair Elect in person next year, but please know that this ence when we will also hold Don Vesely WMTV-TV, Madison elections for the Board at the year’s Student Seminar was a huge success. A Vice Chair - Radio heartfelt thank you to all our valued members annual membership meeting. Lupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio, (as professionals and sponsors) who made it Because of changes to the WBA Madison possible. bylaws, the members of the Strachota Treasurer current executive board have Jan Wade WISN-TV, Milwaukee Diversity Committee begins work served an extra eight months in their roles. We Secretary Your WBA Board recently established a Diversity also thank them very much for their service. Michael Wright , Committee which met for the first time in Febru- Green Bay/Wausau The months ahead will be busy and exciting ary. You can read more about the group below. Immediate Past Chair for your WBA. Like you and your stations, we’re From the first meeting I can already tell you that Steve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green Bay committed to building back even better. We we’re extremely fortunate to have those who know that our strength comes from our mem- BOARD OF DIRECTORS volunteered to be a part of this group. They bers, and of course, that bodes well for you and Judson Beck WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV, each have their own experiences that will come your WBA! La Crosse/Eau Claire together to shape an effective and dynamic plan Brian Burns , Madison Paul Cameron The Network, Group to address diversity in broadcasting Appleton Herb Cody QueenB Radio, Platteville A new committee within the WBA is forming to promote diverse voices within the WBA and broadcasting Sean Dwyer WXOW-TV, La Crosse in Wisconsin. Stevens Point The WBA Board of Directors voted last fall to Anna Engelhart WKOW-TV, Madison create the committee as described here: Aleese Fielder NRG Media-Wausau/ Stevens Point This committee will seek to expand the diver- Andy Gille Midwest Communications, sity of voices represented in conversations Green Bay about issues related to broadcasting in Wis- Dean Kallenbach , consin. The primary focus will be on promot- Senior Regional Manager, Eau Claire ing diverse voices within the WBA through the Mike Smith WFRV-TV, Green Bay WBA committee structure, with a view toward Colleen Valkoun iHeartMedia, Milwaukee how those efforts will address systemic racism Jeff Welton Nautel, Hackett’s Cove, within broadcasting more broadly. Diversity Nova Scotia in all forms should be promoted, including, Ex Officio - NAB Board but not exclusive to, consideration of ethnicity, Tom Koser Koser Radio Group, Lake sexual orientation, socio-economic back- ground, and physical and cognitive impair- WBA Team ments. The following nominees named to join the committee (left to right): President & CEO Michelle Vetterkind, CAE • Carina Abrego-Koch – Outreach Specialist, Wisconsin Public Radio, Green Bay [email protected] • Lyle Banks – VP and General Manager, WISC-TV, Madison NCSA/PEP Coordinator • Latonya Lucas – Marketing/Promotions Director, Milwaukee Radio Group Liz Boyd • Wendell Ray – Director of Radio Services, WRST-FM, Oshkosh [email protected] • Marcela Tapia – Creative Services and Promotions Manager, WEAU-TV, Eau Claire Director of Operations and Public • Miguel Villarreal – VP/Market Manager, Midwest Communications, Wausau Affairs Kyle Geissler The committee will be chaired by: [email protected] • Lupita Montoto - On Air Personality and Marketing Specialist, La Movida Radio, Madison • Jan Wade – General Manager, WISN-TV, Milwaukee WBA Board minutes are always available for members. Please email Kyle Geissler at [email protected] to request Montoto and Wade are members of the WBA Board and have been involved with the formation of the a copy. committee since its inception. The committee held its first meeting in February.

2 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Socializing returns to WBA Awards Gala in 2-night online event

Nobody does an awards gala Stations participating in this year’s competition: like the Wisconsin Broad- CBS3 Duluth WISM FM Eau Claire WPVL FM Platteville casters Association. Despite KBJR TV Duluth WISN AM Milwaukee WQCC FM La Crosse challenges and changes, the KFIZ AM Fond du Lac WISN TV Milwaukee WQOW TV Eau Claire WBA Awards Committee KQEG TV La Crosse WITI TV Milwaukee WQRB FM Eau Claire has, once again, planned an KUWS FM Superior WIZM AM La Crosse WRCO AM Richland Center Awards Gala we will “virtu- PBS Wisconsin WIZM FM La Crosse WRJN AM Racine ally” remember for years to WAOW TV Wausau WJFW TV Rhinelander WRJO FM Eagle River come. Nancy Douglass WAQE FM Rice Lake WJJH FM Ashland WRLS FM Hayward Awards Committee Presented over two nights, WAXX FM Eau Claire WJMC AM Rice Lake WRNW FM Milwaukee the WBA will honor radio WAYY AM Eau Claire WJMC FM Rice Lake WRST FM Oshkosh stations on Friday, April 30 at 7 p.m., and TV WBAY TV Green Bay WJMT AM Merrill WSAU FM Wausau stations on Saturday, May 1 at 7 p.m. ALL WBCV FM Stevens Point WJQM FM Madison WSAW TV Wausau awards will be presented each night, includ- WBEV AM Beaver Dam WKBT TV La Crosse WSFQ FM Marinette ing the News Operation and Station of the WBGR FM Monroe WKFX FM Rice Lake WSSP AM Milwaukee Year awards. WBSZ FM Ashland WKOW TV Madison WTAQ AM Green Bay And before you ask, yes, we will be back at WCOW FM Sparta WKSZ FM De Pere WTCH AM Shawano the Marriott next year – together, and on one WDEZ FM Wausau WKTI FM Milwaukee WTCX FM Fond du Lac night only. WDJT TV Milwaukee WKTY AM La Crosse WTMJ AM Milwaukee WEAU TV Eau Claire WLAX TV La Crosse WTMJ TV Milwaukee Remember the good old days, when we WECL FM Eau Claire WLBL FM Stevens Point WTSO AM Madison chatted and networked and congratulated WFBZ FM Sparta WLDB FM Milwaukee WTTN AM Columbus each other before and after the ceremony? WFDL AM Fond du Lac WLIP AM Kenosha WUEC FM Eau Claire Well, you can do that again this year! The WFDL FM Fond du Lac WLSP LP Sun Prairie WUWM FM Milwaukee gala will be hosted on the Remo platform, WFON FM Fond du Lac WLST FM Marinette WVMO FM Monona allowing you to not only sit with your team at WFRV TV Green Bay WLUK TV Green Bay WVTY FM Kenosha a virtual table, but also video chat before and WWIB FM Eau Claire after the awards and during breaks, and send WGBA TV Green Bay WLUM FM Milwaukee messages to your table mates during the pre- WGLR FM Lancaster WMAM AM Marinette WWIS FM Black River Falls sentation! And each night’s Station of the Year WGLX FM Stevens Point WMBZ FM West Bend WXCO AM Wausau winners will be able to give their speeches! WGTD FM Kenosha WMMM FM Madison WXOW TV La Crosse WHLA FM La Crosse WMSN TV Madison WXPR FM Rhinelander Of course, some technical and logistical de- WHTL FM Whitehall WMTV TV Madison WXRO FM Beaver Dam tails are being worked out, so stay tuned! WHTQ FM Stevens Point WMYX FM Milwaukee WXSS FM Milwaukee All awards will be shipped to winning sta- WHWC FM Eau Claire WNNO FM Wisconsin Dells WXSS FM Wauwatosa tions, with second and third place winners WHYB FM Marinette WOGO AM Chippewa Falls WYTE FM Stevens Point receiving certificates this year (plaques will be WIBD AM West Bend WOLX FM Madison WYTU TV Milwaukee available for purchase). WIFC FM Stevens Point WOMT AM Manitowoc WZAW TV Wausau WISC TV Madison WORT FM Madison So, make your WBA Awards Gala a team Wisconsin Public Radio WOZZ FM Stevens Point building celebration! You can choose your own theme this year – and, managers, in a different place! Or just sit back and enjoy The fantastic thing is that we’ll have room for consider creating individual “Watch Boxes” the presentation in the comfort of your own everyone, as we’re not limited on table space! for your team members including snacks and living room! single serving cocktails, or other treats and We’re looking forward to a huge turnout on tchotchkes, as a special thank you for their Registration is open. You can buy single tick- both evenings to award the efforts of our extra hard work in 2020! Host a watch party ets, fill a table, or fill several tables if you like. broadcasters throughout 2020. Cheers to a and enjoy each other like we always do, just Tickets prices are greatly reduced this year, Gala as memorable as the year’s efforts we obviously, but still necessary to cover costs. are celebrating! Register Now! CHAIR’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 wi-broadcasters.org/gala Here are couple of more positive notes: Individual: $20 Brewers opening day is April 1 and the 15 percent discount when buying tables Maximum table size is 7, so larger groups Brewers are asking for permission to have will be at multiple tables. 16,000 fans! • Table of 4: $68 • Table of 5: $85 The WBA Summer Conference has been • Table of 6: $102 moved to the end of August. We are very • Table of 7: $119 optimistic that we can make this happen. • Table of 8: $136 Plus, Senator Gordon Smith the head of the • Table of 9: $153 NAB will be there as we celebrate our 70th • Table of 10: $170 anniversary.

Wisconsin Broadcaster | March/April 2021 3 FROM THE JACOBS MEDIA TEAM AS PART OF THE JACOBS MEDIA/WBA DIGITAL PARTNERSHIP What happened at CES 2021, and what it means to broadcasters In January, my routine changed. Instead of getting away tools. from the cold of the Midwest and boarding a Delta On the radio side, many smart operators were ahead of the game, ensur- flight to Las Vegas right after the new year for CES – ing their programming was available on mobile devices, smart speakers, formerly known as the Consumer Electronic Show – I and in a growing number of cases, smart TVs. stayed home and took in the event virtually. There is no indication these shifts are going to slow down any time soon, In fact, so did more than 150,000 others here in the U.S. so it’s incumbent on broadcasters to invest not only in distribution plat- and around the globe. CES is an always an amazing forms, but also in their internal operation to ensure delivery of content display of innovation and ingenuity, and in the midst of and the ability to monetize it. Fred Jacobs the pandemic, the Consumer Technology Association had to make a difficult pivot. On a Microsoft platform not unlike Zoom, they pulled it off. Thousands of exhibits, keynotes, demos, and panels all showing off the latest and greatest in gadgets and technology. In “normal” years, my company – Jacobs Media – tours broadcasters through the Las Vegas Convention Center. This year, we were forced to go the virtual route as well. And the good news is that 350 broadcasters, including representatives from your WBA, joined us for our modified tour. 3. Automotive innovation is driving change – While autonomous tech- Innovation and resilience were common themes this year, just as they nology is still a priority for many carmakers and tech companies, electric have been at your and radio operations since the onset of the vehicles took center stage this year, especially GM’s announcement their pandemic. entire fleet would be electrified by 2035. The question we always hear is this: What innovations and tech did you This move to EV is bold, setting up the competition between other U.S. see that will affect broadcasting in 2021 and beyond? automakers, Tesla, and countries like Norway that have gotten aggressive with electric innovation. We always give the same answer – it’s not about devices and gadgets, it’s about trajectory of innovation, partnerships (Alexa in refrigerators), There is also more emphasis on the passengers – now being referred to and systemic change – 5G, ATSC 3.0, etc. So, we’ve come up with three as “co-drivers” – in terms of what they do in cars, the media they consume thematic takeaways that transcends the trendiness of gadgets like from expanded dashboards, and the data they generate. drones and robots, and has direct effect on broadcasters. Vehicles are increasingly equipped with multiple voice platforms: Apple 1. COVID has changed everything – And the smartest players have (Siri), Amazon (Alexa), Google Assistant, and the manufacturers’ own pivoted and even leaned into the change. Many brands have reinvented guides, all designed to make content and commands easily accessible via themselves, while others have changed their emphasis to reflect lifestyle voice. change driven by the pandemic. And get ready for numerous screens in vehicles – for everyone except the A great case in point is driver – to access video content, gaming, and more. appliance and electronics The people we spoke to at CES, including CEO Gary Shapiro, believe the maker, LG. Typically, they show will return to Las Vegas in January 2022, and everyone in broad- lead with their amazing TVs casting should consider attending (and let’s face it – it’s a lot warmer in – the OLED 8K beauties, as Las Vegas in January than Wisconsin, so there’s that benefit also). But the well as with re- virtual component this year was successful, allowing for more accessibili- tracting and folding screens ty for people in the U.S. and around the world who can’t travel or afford a (similar to a window shade) lengthy visit to Sin City. or transparent screens. Resilience and innovation were the keywords this year. And given the But for CES 2021, they led with innovations that keep us safe: Air purifiers, changes in the media landscape, they are likely to be prominent down high-tech face masks, and appliances that are more touchless and predic- the road. tive of what we want to do in our homes. Next year in Vegas. Maybe. As all of us in broadcasting know, this has had a big effect on media con- sumption – programs, channels, on-demand, subscription, and devices. Which leads us to . . . 2. Meet the audience where they are – This was another key theme. As consumer locations – workplaces, at-home environments, etc. – have been disrupted, media brands need to ensure their content is accessible on new and different platforms. For television, video streaming had a record-setting year where more people stayed home to binge watch TV series. Broadcasters had to find ways to attract viewers with live, local, and on-demand programming, along with connecting with their communities via social media and other 4 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Radio veterans resurrect student radio station online

Alumni pour love of radio into new Lee Harris, Tom Weeden, Stan Scharch, Jim Herman- version of UW-Madison campus station son, Dan Smith, Tim Brickner, and Dennis Krause. A legendary student run radio station on the The station recently added WBA Hall of Famer Tom UW-Madison campus is back on the air as an online Bolger to the programming line-up. The 87-year-old station championed by a group of radio veterans hosts “Tunes with Tom” on Saturdays. with a love for the former station. “This is exactly full . It’s kind of like a redemp- WLHA first went on the air in 1952 as WMHA broad- tion,” he told NBC 15. “I’ve always enjoyed it. I’ve casting out of one of the Lakeshore area residence always thought of maybe doing something like this, halls. It was operated by a residence hall student but it was always in never, never land.” association, separate from the university. The station shut down in 1993, making way for today’s A state- student-run station at UW-Madison, WSUM. But the ment on students who worked on WLHA stayed connected the WLHA and kept the memory of WLHA alive. website states, “With an immense WLHA alumni created a website in 2008, held reunions, and conduct- amount of spoof and farcical ed alumni broadcasts. content, WLHA is now more “These specials, generally tied to Halloween and April Fools Days ‘radio-active- than ever and have grown in scope to include live music and performance of has jumped far beyond the original parody songs campus boundaries to reach about WLHA, helicopter a national and international traffic reports, a huge listening audience who collection of quirky and find the unique ‘music and colorful characters and malarky’ format refreshing. sponsors,” it states on the WLHA is truly ‘powered by station’s website. “This our imaginations’ and as also triggered writing long as those hold out, the and production of a half old station will “BE THERE.” dozen original radio dra- mas involving the alumni Sparta station nominated for ACM Award staffers playing the roles A radio station in Sparta has been of themselves back in nominated for Radio Station of the student days.” Year by the Academy of Country The new WLHA station Music. went online in November WCOW-FM was nominated for the 2018 as a full-time commercial internet radio station. The station plays award in the small market division music from the 1950s - 1980s and includes a blend of historical WLHA along with: IDs, jingles, and promos with modern elements as well. The shows originate from seven cities in the U.S. and one in Manchester, U.K. • KATI-FM, Jefferson City, MO Those involved in the station include Kevin Ruppert, Kevin Peckham, • KCLR-FM, Columbia, MO • KKNU-FM, Eugene, OR Listeners donate Legos for pediatric patients • WXBQ-FM, Bristol, VA Madison radio station Life The Radio Awards winners will be announced ahead of the 56th ACM 102.5 (WNWC) generated Awards in April. The 56TH Academy of Awards will be 2,235 Lego sets for patients broadcast on April 18 on CBS. at American Family Children’s Hospital during a two week Stations’ effort supports low-income residents campaign seeking donations A group of radio stations in northern Wis- from listeners. consin raised money during the holiday “On behalf of the Child Life department and the American Family season for a non-profit helping low-in- Children’s Hospital, I want to share our heartfelt thanks to Life 102.5 come residents in Ashland and Bayfield and the community of listeners who year after year provide such counties. impactful support to the patients and families at AFCH,” said Rachel Heartland Communications teamed up Lodahl, the Child Life Assistant at the hospital. “The thousands of with Coffey Oil to sponsor Magic Stocking Legos, books, puzzles, and building games that were sent will provide in support of the BRICK Ministries. moments of joy and normalcy for so many children and teens while Magic Stockings were placed in select area businesses between they are receiving care at the hospital.” Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Shoppers were encouraged to Listeners have donated Play-Doh and markers during past drives drop their change, checks, or cash in the Magic Stocking. Coffey Oil hosted by the station. matched the donations up to $1,000.

Wisconsin Broadcaster | March/April 2021 5 Making a Difference Radio group generates $80K, truckload of toys A group of Mid-West Family radio Station takes on numerous efforts to help Wausau stations in Madison helped numerous A Wausau radio station took on charities around the community with numerous efforts to help local six different initiatives at the stations residents through the fall and over the holiday season. holiday season. Tats For Tots - Listeners donated toys in 89Q (WCLQ) helped local exchange for assorted gift certificates. residents through nine local Four truckloads of toys were collected, police departments and a county accounting for 25 percent of the toys collected by Toys for Tots in sheriff’s office with “89Q Lights of Christmas.” The stations raised more Dane County. than $30,000 at various events that was used to provide gift cards to 93.1 Jamz Gifts of Christmas Toy Drive - Cash and toy donations officers who give them to those in the community who they encoun- were collected from listeners turned into gift bags for 183 families ter who need them. The station estimates more than 2,000 people will with 376 children. The community donated more than $11,500 in 10 get gift cards throughout the winter. days to purchase toys for this first-year program. The station also led the “Shine Your Light” event on Dec. 22 in support Project Home Serving Those Who Served Radiothon – More than of front-line COVID care workers. Listeners tuning in to 89Q heard $26,000 was raised for this community funded program that helps Christmas worship and sing-a-longs as area pastors prayed. low-to-moderate income military veterans with home repairs, accessi- 89Q also continued its long-standing partnership with two non-prof- bility modifications, and energy efficiency improvements. its in Christmas outreach to operate a collection site for toys that Hawke’s Radiothon for Vets - For 28 hours straight, Randy Hawke went to children whose parents are incarcerated at Christmas. was on the air on WJJO with these goals: Make veterans aware of local Station airs holiday play, supports theater guild opportunities, let people who want to help Veterans know how they can help, and to raise funds to help organizations that serve our local An Eau Claire radio station aired a holiday veterans. More than $20,000 was raised for local charities through play while also raising money for a local donations and an online auction. theater guild. Magic 98 Holiday Wish - For more than 30 years, Magic 98 has raised Greatest Hits 98.1(WISM-FM) presented “A funds to distribute to local families in need. Recipients are nominated Christmas Carol” on the air on Dec. 20, with from listeners and this year more than $12,000 was handed out to morning show host and Chippewa Valley local people in need. Theatre Guild President John Murphy narrating. Catholic Multicultural Center Radiothon - La Movida Radio raised more than $23,000 for the Catholic Multicultural Center which Sponsorships of the one-hour play helped provides personal growth, education, and basic needs to the Latino raise money for the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild. community. The play was re-aired on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The radio station also facilitated the safe recording of the play by having actors record each of their parts separately and editing the play together. Wausau stations shatter holiday fundraising record A holiday fundraising effort from two Wausau TV stations shattered its own record by more than doubling its previous campaign record. WSAW and WZAW raised $208,532 during their 2020 Share Your Holi- days campaign. The previous record SOLDIERS CONDUCTING COVID-19 was $100,091. RESPONSE TRAINING The donations will be split between the Wausau Salvation Army and The Neighbors’ Place. “The generosity of the people of central and north central Wisconsin never fails to amaze me,” said Jeff Thelen, WSAW anchor and cam- paign coordinator. “This year with the pandemic, I had no idea what to expect. I should have known, once again they’d come through.” This is the 18th year for the Share Your Holidays campaign, which has raised $1,026,857 since its inception. “The generosity of the community has been overwhelming,” said Al Lancaster, WSAW/WZAW VP and General Manager. “The need has Visit nationalguard.com never been greater, and our area responded!” 6 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Member News ‘Broadcast Legend’ retires after 32 years in local radio A member of the WBA’s Local Broadcast Legends is Regional General Manager. retiring after 32 years serving listeners and business- Following that position, he became the General Manager of Badger es in northern Wisconsin. Radio’s five-station cluster in Marinette/Menominee. In 2002, Wagner Jeff Wagner from Heartland Communications Group was named GM of WRJO and WERL, Eagle River, where he served until will retire in April. He was named a WBA Local Broad- 2005. In 2005, Heartland purchased the Eagle River stations and Wag- cast Legend in 2018. ner continued in the position of Eagle River market General Manager “Jeff Wagner is the most respected Senior Statesman and Regional Sales Manager. Wagner and leader in the industry in Wis- In 2010, Wagner accepted the General Manager position with Results consin’s northwoods,” according to Heartland CEO Jim Broadcasting which owned stations WCYE and WHOH where he Coursolle. “Jeff has left his positive mark on so many people whom remained until Results sold their Rhinelander stations to Heartland in he has touched in all his 42 years in small business of which 32 years 2018. Wagner rejoined Heartland in 2018 where he serves as General were spent in radio broadcasting.” Sales Manager for stations WRJO, WCYE, WNWX (formerly WHOH) and Wagner’s radio career began in 1979 after Jeff spent 10 years in the WERL FM and AM. restaurant business. He began as an owner and General Manager of Wagner trained hundreds of broadcasters, many who have gone on WATK, WRLO and WACD in Antigo. When Marathon Media Group pur- to successful careers. chased WATK, WRLO and WACD and added WHDG, WRHN and WOBT, Wagner will be succeeded by veteran sales executive Stacey Lazarus, Rhinelander and WMAQ and WLKD, Minocqua, Wagner was named who joins Heartland as General Sales Manager from New Jersey. Langbehn marks 30 years at WAOW-TV Rompa to retire after 32 years at WBAY-TV Melissa Langbehn is marking 30 years on the air at WBAY-TV anchor Kevin Rompa announced his retire- WAOW-TV in Wausau and the station marked the ment Fed. 19 after 32 years on the air in Green Bay. anniversary Feb. 19. “I arrived here back in 1989 to become Green Bay’s Langbehn joined the station in 1991. She is the lead very first morning show anchor and I never left. In anchor at News 9, anchoring the 5 p.m. news and fact, in the 32 years I’ve been here, I’ve never even co-anchoring the 6 p.m. news. As a reporter, she sent out a resume or tape to apply for another job,” continues to discover and share local stories that are Rompa said. important to the community she serves. Langbehn Rompa Rompa is part of the Action 2 News This Morning She’s described by peers as driven, meticulous, team and anchors Action 2 News at Noon. thoughtful, and kind. Kevin grew up in Winona, . He attended college at Winona Langbehn’s work has been recognized by both the Associated Press State University and the Brown Institute of Radio and TV. He has and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association. In 2008 the Associat- worked as a news director and anchor/reporter for Wisconsin radio ed Press honored her with the state’s biggest individual award for stations in New London and Appleton. His professional television journalism, “The Carol Brewer Award.” Langbehn also attended the experience began as an anchor and news reporter at WAOW-TV in prestigious Poynter Institute, and she has repeatedly taken home top Wausau. honors as “Favorite Television Personality” by readers of the Wausau In retirement Rompa plans to catch up on lost sleep, take extended City Pages. road trips, and care for his mother. Langbehn grew up in the Wausau area and graduated from D.C. Ever- Rompa’s last day will be March 19. est High School. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, she began her broadcasting career. Skramstad to retire after 47 years in radio Over the year’s she’s given her time to group like Toys for Tots, Jeffer- Shawn Skramstad, the VP/Market Manager of son Awards, Susan G. Komen, Go Red for Women, Pet Saver, Women’s Midwest Communications’ Duluth-Superior group is Leadership Conference, Crime Stoppers of Marathon and Portage retiring after a 47-year career in broadcasting. County, Children’s Miracle Network, and the United Way. Skramstad began his radio careers in programming before shifting to sales. He worked for KDWB, WCCO, Geiger retires from WDGY morning show and KEEY before transitioning to Red Rock Radio in WDGY morning show host Paul Geiger signed off his 1999. He was company president overseeing Red final air shift Feb. 12 as he heads into retirement. Rock’s Duluth-Superior market. He joined Midwest in Skramstad 2017 when Red Rock sold the cluster to Midwest. Geiger worked in radio for 43 years, with 27 years at WLTE and the last nine years at WDGY in Hudson. “I’ve done everything that I wanted to do in this business and it’s been a great ride,” Skramstad said. “What a great journey it has been, made better by all the listeners I’d had the honor to meet, become “Shawn was instrumental in ensuring Midwest is the leading broad- friends with, and share our ups and downs,” Geiger casting operator in northern Minnesota with great facilities and the best people in the business,” said Midwest President and CEO Duke Geriger said. “You will never be forgotten.” Wright. The station celebrated Geiger’s career during his whole final week on the air. Director of Sales Scott Christensen will oversee the sales and day-to- day management operations until Skramstad’s successor is named. Wisconsin Broadcaster | March/April 2021 7 202021 Roster of WBA Members As of March 8, 2021

ASSOCIATE TELEVISION WWWX WNCY WQTC Plymouth WPVM Alpha Video & Audio, Inc. Amery WYDR WNFL WTSW-LP WSTM WQDC American Awards & Promotions WXCE WZOS WOGB Marinette Portage WRKU ASCAP WZEZ Ashland WORQ WAGN WBKY WRLU BDO Appleton WATW WPKR WHYB WDDC WSBW WACY WBSZ WPNE WLST WPDR Superior BMO Global Asset WGBA Management WJJH WQLH WMAM Prairie du KDKE WLUK Chien KUWS Broadcast Management WNXR WTAQ WSFQ WPNE Baraboo WTAQ-AM Marshfield WPRE WDSM Strategies Baldwin WBDL WZOR WCCN WPRE-AM WDUL-AM Broadcast Music Inc. WDMO WCNP Hayward WCCN-AM WQPC WEBC Eau Claire Broadcasters General Store Beaver Dam WCBN WDLB Racine WHDI WEAU Cavell Mertz and Associates WBEV WGTD WHSA WEUX WHSM WOSQ Comlab Inc/Davicom WXRO WRLS WPKG WRJN WHWA Comrex Corporation WHLA WQOW Beloit Hudson Mauston WVTY WSSU Edward Jones Elk Mound WBCR WDGY WRJC Reedsburg WUWS Electronics Research Inc. WBOO WGEZ-AM Iron Mountain WRJC-AM WNFM Suring ENCO Green Bay Berlin WMVM Mayville WRDB WRVM GatesAir WBAY WISS Iron River WMDC Rhinelander Tomah Godfrey Kahn WCWF Black River WATW Medford KSPP-FM WBOG WFRV Falls WBSZ WIGM WCYE WTMB Heartland Video Systems WGBA WWIS WJJH WKEB WHDG WVCX Holiday Vacations WLUK WWIS-AM WNXR Menomonie WNWX WXYM Burlington WOBT Tomahawk Jacobs Media WPNE Janesville WVSS La Crosse WBSD WCLO Merrill WRHN WJJQ Learfield Communications KQEG Chilton WJVL WHJL WRLO WJJQ-AM Local Broadcast Sales WHLA WLAK-AM WSJY Milwaukee WXPR Two Rivers Marketron WKBT Chippewa WWHG WAUK WXPW WLTU Nielsen WLAX Falls Kenosha WDDW Rice Lake Viroqua Patrick Communications WXOW WCFW WGTD WGKB WAQE WKPO Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Madison Dodgeville WIIL WHAD WAQE-AM WVRQ Pittman LLP TVW WDMP WLIP WHQG WJMC WVRQ-AM Radio Advertising Bureau WHA WZRK WRJN WISN WJMC-AM Washburn Radio Music License WIFS Duluth, MN WVTY WJMR WKFX WEGZ WISC Committee KDKE La Crosse WJTI WYRL-LP Waupaca WKOW WDSM KCLH WJYI Richland WAUP-LP Shively Labs WMSN WDUL-AM KQEG WKKV Center WDUX Shockley Group, Inc. WMTV WEBC WRCO WILW-LP Society of Broadcast Mayville KQYB WKLH Engineers Inc. WWRS Durand WCOW WKTI WRCO-AM WPCA WRDN Ripon Waupun The Capitol Group Menomonie WEQS WLDB Eagle River WFBZ WLUM WRPN-AM WFDL-AM The Museum of Broadcast WHWC Milwaukee WERL WGSL WMIL River Falls Wausau Communications WRJO WHLA WMSE WRFW WAVL Tieline Technology WBME WDJT Eau Claire WIZM WMYX Shawano WBCV Wave Communications WISN WATQ WIZM-AM WNRG WJMQ WCLQ Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP WITI WAXX WKLJ WOKY WOTE WCWB Wisconsin Army WMLW WAYY WKTY-AM WRIT WOWN WDEZ National Guard WMVS WBIZ WLSU WRNW WTCH WGLX Wisconsin Athletic WMVT WBIZ-AM WLXR-AM WSJP WTCH-AM WGNV Hall of Fame WTMJ WDVM WQCC WSJP-AM Sheboygan WHRM Wisconsin Center For WVCY WEAQ WRQT WSSP WBFM WHTQ Investigative Journalism WVTV WECL WTPN WTMJ WCLB WIFC Wisconsin Interscholastic WWRS WGNW Ladysmith WUWM WEMP WLBL-AM WYTU Athletic Assoc. WHEM WJBL WVCY WGXI WLBL-FM Rhinelander WHBL WOZZ WisconsinEye WHWC WLDY WXSS WJFW WIAL Lake Geneva WYMS WHBZ WRIG WisPolitics Superior WISM WLKG WZTI-AM WLKN WSAU WLHA Radio KBJR WMEQ Lancaster Minocqua WSHS WSAU-AM YellowTec Tomah WMEQ-AM WGLR WLKD WXER WVRN WEZY WOGO Madison WMQA WYVM WXCO Wausau WQRB WERN Monona Shell Lake WYNW WAOW WUEC WHA-AM WVMO-LP WGMO WYTE RETIRED WHRM WVCF WXNK WHBM Linda Baun WLEF WHFA Monroe Siren WHSF Terry Baun WMOW WWIB WHHI WBGR Tom Bolger WSAW WWJC WHIT WEKZ-AM WXCX WJMT Fond du Lac WIBA Neillsville Spooner WMZK Dennis Brechlin WYOW WZAW KFIZ WIBA-AM WCCN WPLT Wautoma Tommy Lee Bychinski WFDL WJJO WCCN-AM Stevens Point WAUH Dale Ganske WFON WJQM WPKG WBCV WMNM-LP Joan Gillman RADIO WTCX WLMV Oconto WDEZ West Bend Marty Green Adams WVFL WLSP-LP WOCO WGLX WIBD Ruane Hill WCWI WZOS WMAD WOCO-AM WGNV WMBZ Bill Hubbard WHAA Fort Atkinson WMGN Oshkosh WHRM Whitehall Laurin Jorstad Amery WFAW WMHX WEMI WHTQ WHTL Perry Kidder WPCA-LP Friendship WMMM WNAM WIFC Whitewater Doug Kiel Antigo WCWI WNWC WOCT-LP WLBL-AM WKCH WACD Jack Le Duc Goodman WNWC-AM WOSH WLBL-FM WSLD WATK Paul LeSage WMVM WOLX WRST WOZZ WSUW WATK-AM Green Bay WORT WVBO WPCN Wisconsin Kipper McGee WVRN Mike O’Brien WAUN WOZN WVCY-AM WPCN-AM Dells Appleton WRIG WDLS Mike Powers WDKF WRIS WWWX WAPL WDUZ WSSW WYDR WSAU WNNO Dave Pritchard WEMI WDUZ-AM WSUM WZOS WSAU-AM Wisconsin David Sanks WHBY WEMY WTLX Owen WSNP-LP Rapids Jim Schuh WHID WGBW WTSO WVCS WSPT WFHR Patrick Smith WHND WGEE WTTN Park Falls WWSP WLJY Rod Synnes WKZY WHID WWQM WCQM WYTE WMMA Scott M. Trentadue WNAM WHND WXXM WPFP Sturgeon Bay Roger Utnehmer WORQ WIXX WZEE Platteville WBDK Richard Wood WOSH WJOK Manitowoc WPVL WDOR Thank Richard Zaragoza WPNE WKRU WCUB WPVL-AM WDOR-AM WSCO WKSZ WLTU WSUP WLGE WVBO WKZG WOMT you! 8 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Stations to participate in statewide tornado drill In cooperation with Wisconsin Emergency NWR from another EAS Operational Area area will receive both Wisconsin and Minne- Management, the National Weather Service may receive more than one Tornado Warning sota counties in the same coordinated TOR will conduct two tests of the real Tornado alert for each test; since these alerts are sent Tornado Warning EAS message at both 1:45 Warning EAS Code, one in the afternoon and independently from each NWS office they p.m. and 6:45 p.m. a second one in the evening, on April 15, will not be recognized by EAS units as dupli- Please respond by e-mail to Kyle Geissler at 2021 as part of Tornado and Severe Weather cates if alerts are received from two different [email protected] to indicate Awareness Week. As permitted under FCC EAS Operational Areas. It is also possible you have received this message, have passed EAS rule 11.61(a)(5) regarding “Live Code” that some NWR stations may broadcast more this information along to all relevant staff tests, the actual EAS Tornado Warning Code than one TOR Code for each test as some (including station meteorologists), and will will be used for these statewide tests. If NWR stations serve counties from more than participate in the tests and the public notice there is a threat of severe weather at the one NWS office. prior to the tests. time of the afternoon test, then both the af- In addition to dissemination using EAS via ternoon and evening tests will be postponed NOTE: Public Notice on your end will begin NOAA Weather Radio, these tests are also until April 16, 2021. If there is severe weath- one week prior to the tests (PSA’s, mention in sent over NWS satellite-based systems that er on April 16, the tests will be canceled. If your news stories, weather reports, etc). feed other capabilities in your station such as the afternoon test runs on April 15, but the automated TV on-air weather graphics, and This will be the schedule for the two tests evening test is canceled due to the threat of weather alerts presented on your website, run on April 15 (or if there is severe weather severe weather, the evening test will not be social media or push alerts to cellphones. on April 15, both tests will be conducted on rescheduled to the next day – it will just be In past years, there were several incidents April 16): canceled. where this test as presented on these related AFTERNOON TEST: Both tests are scheduled at 45-minutes-past- weather alert systems made the test appear 1 p.m. – Tornado Watch “TOA” EAS Code the-hour, to provide adequate time to relay as a real alert. Although NWS cannot do so issued the test before the top of the hour. Stations on the EAS feed, the NWS satellite feed to are encouraged to carry both the afternoon these other applications does indicate that 1:45 p.m. – Tornado Warning “TOR” EAS Code and evening test, and forward any com- it is a test (by using a “T” for Test as the VTEC, issued by all NWS offices serving Wisconsin ments to WBA following the tests. Valid Time Event Code). Generally, systems counties* The audio of these tests will repeat fed by this NWS satellite feed should be EVENING TEST: (The TOA EAS Code will not several times in the script “This is a able to read the VTEC “T” code and thus not be sent for the evening test.) display the alert. Stations should work Test”, but because the real EAS Tornado 6:45 p.m. – Tornado Warning “TOR” EAS Code Warning Code is being sent, the crawl on with their vendors of NWS satellite-deliv- ered systems such as TV weather graphics issued by all NWS offices serving Wisconsin TV stations and cable systems will read “A counties* Tornado Warning has been issued for…”. and website weather alerts to determine Thus we ask that TV broadcasters and the best course of action… either disable (if the afternoon test runs on April 15, but cable operators making the decision to air their alerts during our test or make sure the evening test is canceled due to the these tests should display a “This is a Test” their tools are configured to not display threat of severe weather, the evening test graphic behind the crawl. Test messages. Contact WBA if you have will not be rescheduled to the next day – it any questions on this issue. will just be canceled) The tests will be originated on NOAA Weather Radio (NWR), and will be relayed TEAS Header Code parameters to be used in via the State Relay (SR) and Local Primary both tests: (LP) stations. The EAS “TOR” Code will be Originator Code: WXR sent independently by all five NWS offices EAS Code: TOR serving Wisconsin, following the schedule below. Broadcasters and cable operators EAS Duration: 15 minutes that monitor SR or LP stations from multiple *These tests are being coordinated with the EAS Operational Areas or directly monitor State of Minnesota. Stations in the border Madison TV station’s viewers generate record 6.3M meals A Madison TV station’s holiday tributes food to 225 partner agencies and programs, including food campaign to fight hunger gener- pantries in local schools. ated 6.3 million meals, topping the “Don’t ever underestimate the heart of our viewers and local busi- campaign’s 5 million meal goal. nesses,” said Don Vesely, WMTV NBC15 Vice President/General NBC15 News (WMTV-TV) has run Manager. “We wanted to make our 25th year special, and because of “Share Your Holidays” for 25 years the generosity of our community, many families won’t have to worry and has raised more where their next meal comes from.” than 55 million The campaign was held over an eight-week period meals since its inception. The campaign benefits Sec- from Nov. 12 to Dec. 31. This year’s theme, “Because of ond Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, which You” culminated as a celebration of 25 years of giving helps families and individuals facing food insecurity back. During the pandemic, Second Harvest learned in 16 southern Wisconsin counties. The non-profit dis- quickly that the need for relief was greater than ever. Wisconsin Broadcaster | March/April 2021 9 Jonathan Little to lead research firm Richard and Joy Wood to retire WBA Hall of Famer Jonathan Little is leading After 40 years of doing projects for a marketing research firm that’s undergoing the broadcasting industry, Richard changes with the retirement of research veteran Bill Troy. and Joy Wood are announcing their retirement. Troy is retiring from TroyResearch as of March 31, shutting down the existing TroyResearch.com As married business partners they site. Little, the long-time Vice President of Sales were the owners of Skyline Com- Little and Client Services for Troy Research, is launch- munications from 1980 to 1999, ing a new service to pick up where TroyResearch specializing in tower construction left off: TroyResearch.net. and maintenance work. With more “It has been an amazing 20 plus than 500 towers built and many years, and it’s been an honor to feet of structures maintained, the work with so many talented peo- two of them then formed Reso- ple in radio, Troy said. “The good nant Results. This firm focused on testing and troubleshooting news, however, is that while I antenna systems plus providing in the field proj- stepping away, the heart and ect logistics and installation services for station construction soul of the TroyResearch team and refits. will continue with a fresh new platform under the leadership of “We have worked with so many good people and would like Jonathan Little.” to thank all of you for help and support over these many years,” The survey production team of Molly Crossen, Karen Lewis, Dan they wrote. Kelley and Dave Ogden will continue producing surveys for the They would like to thank: Jim Crooks, Clif Groth, Don Borchardt new company. Research guru and analyst Lou Patrick will also (FM Clinic), Steve Brown, Leonard Charles (SBE), Tom Weeden, be retained. Kerry Maki, Bob Gorgance, Don Markley, Chris Kreger, Gary De- “For more than 20 years, I’ve been helping radio be the best in jarlis, Michelle Vetterkind (and the WBA), Terry and Linda Baun, can be as Bill and I have worked together,” Little said. “From mu- Kent Aschenbrenner, Tim Laes, Duke Wright, Greg Albert plus sic testing, to perceptual studies, to our ground- breaking sales Terry and Sandy Schokley and Mr. Nate Geotz. generating tool, the Brand Awareness Study, we have continued Richard served on the WBA Board of Directors. to help radio compete and win in an ever-changing market- place. I’m excited to start a new chapter in that lifelong effort.” Names in the News Rusty James has been promoted to the newly kee. Vetscher joined the station in 2019 as editorial director. formed position of Operations Manager at the Before joining Scripps, he was a senior producer of in-depth Midwest Communications radio stations in and investigative reports for KSTP-TV in and Wausau. James will oversee programming for has worked in several newsrooms throughout the country CHR 95.5 WIFC, Country 101.9 WDEZ and Rock in various roles. He graduated from Marquette 94.7 WOZZ. James returned to Midwest Com- University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast munications in October 2020 after leaving a journalism. similar position at Max Media in Beach. James Bill Michaels is joining Mid-West Family Madi- Prior to that, he was Operations Manager for the son sports talk station 1670AM and 96.7FM The Midwest Communications cluster in Evansville, Zone (WOZN) with syndication across the state . James rejoined Midwest as Brand Man- of Wisconsin. Michaels will be heard across Mid- ager of WIFC, replacing Nikki Montgomery who West Family radio stations WKTY in La Crosse Michaels joined Dave Kallaway as morning show co-host and Sports Talk 105.1 in Eau Claire (WAYY). Mid- on WIFC. West Family plans to make the show available Madison radio station Life 102.5 (WNWC-FM) on a market exclusive basis throughout all of has hired Ed Guzman as Director of Business De- Wisconsin immediately. He debuted on the air Guzman velopment. Guzman will work with local busi- Feb. 9. nesses, churches, and non-profit organizations Jasmine M. Johnson has been named Vice Pres- in support of the radio station and its service to ident of Sales for iHeartMedia Milwaukee. She our community. As owners of Diakonos Designs will be responsible for leading multi-cultural in Stoughton, Guzman and his wife Becky have Johnson initiatives for broadcast, digital and iHeartRadio been long time supporters and business part- customers across the region. She has more than ners with Life 102.5. 20 years of leadership, service and advocacy ex- Tim Vetscher has been promoted to the position perience with a background in sales, marketing, government Vetscher of news director at TMJ4 (WTMJ-TV) in Milwau- relations, and supplier diversity. 10 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org In Remembrance Radio ‘legend’ on air 5 in Beaver Dam Kissinger remembered as advocate A man who’s been on the radio in Beaver Dam An advocate for public broadcasting in western for nearly five decades has died. Wisconsin has died. John Moser was named a WBA Local Broad- James Kissinger started his career in broadcast- cast Legend in 2020 along with his on-air ing in 1972 when he was selected to manage partner Bill McCollum. Last year’s recogni- some of public broadcasting’s first stations tion had to be postponed because of the outside of Madison and Milwaukee: WHLA-TV in COVID-19 pandemic. La Crosse and WHWC-TV in Menomonie. Moser Over the years at WBEV and WXRO, Moser Kissinger Kissinger later went on to serve as the Educa- served as news director, program director, sales manager, tional Communication Board’s Regional Representative for the and finally as general manager. He was semi-retired but western part of the state. Dean Kallenbach, Senior Regional still co-hosted The Morning Show and continued to lead by Manager for Wisconsin Public Radio in Eau Claire, said Kissing- coaching teammates across . He was er was the driving force for the construction of the Wisconsin named Beaver Dam’s Citizen of the Year in 2016 and contin- Public Broadcasting Center in Eau Claire which currently hous- ued his involvement in the community in several leadership es WPR’s Eau Claire staff. roles. “Jim was a strong advocate for public radio and television in Moser died Jan. 14 while on a hunting trip in Mount Horeb. this part of the state,” Kallenbach wrote. “He introduced me to His death was announced on the air on Jan. 15. many key players in the region both in my news career and “And over these many, many, many years that we did the during my time as regional manager.” morning show together John became a best friend,” MCCol- Kissinger retired in 1998 and spent his retirement bringing lum said. “To me if feels like I lost a little brother.” attention to lake issues in northern Wisconsin, according to his According to DailyDodge.com, WBEV/Good Karma Brands obituary. Founder and Chief Executive Officer called A memorial service celebrating Kissinger’s life was held Jan. 29. Moser “a friend, mentor, manager, leader and all-around In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks for donations to Sawyer wonderful person who embodied and embraced [Good Kar- County Forestry Department, 10610 Main St #100, Hayward, WI ma’s] core values from the moment the company began.” 54843 for planting an area of trees dedicated to Jim’s love of “This has been a very special privilege,” Moser said of his tree planting. career in Beaver Dam radio during the final minutes of his farewell broadcast, “Thank you for letting me be part of Shawano man remembered for 40-year radio career your lives.” Lifelong broadcaster Doug Rogers, of Shawa- no, is being remembered for his long career in Koser family remembers inspirational patriarch radio. The Koser family is remembering the life of Rogers died Jan. 30 after battling cancer. He was Bob Koser, whose long career included 10 61. years in broadcasting working with his son, According to his obituary, Rogers attended the Tom Koser. Transamerican Broadcasting School in Wausau Bob Koser, 88, died Jan. 24. He was a veteran Rogers and earned his in 1979. He and life-long resident of northwest Wiscon- started his play-by-play career in Merrill. He worked for a short sin. With his father and brother, is owned time at WNBK in New London before returning to Merrill. and operated Koser Silo Works and General Koser In 1984 Rogers moved to where he was known for Contractors, a nationally recognized leader in his play-by-play and doing daily trivia on air. the concrete silo industry. Koser held several patents that helped revolutionize the industry and was also elected In 1991 he moved back to his hometown, Clintonville, where Chairman of the Board of the International Silo Association. he worked for WJMQ. He spent the rest of his career with Re- According to his obituary, hundreds of Koser Silos still dot sults Broadcasting, and earned numerous WBA awards. the rural landscape throughout Wisconsin and northeast On Jan. 28 Rogers received a citation from the Wisconsin State Minnesota. Legislature recognizing him for five decades on air and for He worked for ten years in insurance when in 1992, he contributing to the betterment of the State of Wisconsin. joined his son Tom in the radio business as his Station Private family services for Rogers have been held, however a Manager at WRLS Radio in Hayward and a shareholder with public gathering is tentatively scheduled to be held when the Tom’s stations - WJMC / WAQE / WKFX in Rice Lake. He was COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. in broadcasting for ten years before retiring. Tom Koser is a member of the WBA Hall of Fame and past WBA Board Chair, In lieu of flowers and plants, a memorial fund for Rogers has and currently serves on the WBA ,WBA Foundation, and NAB been established by his friends at Results Broadcasting. Me- boards. morials to the Douglas Arthur Rogers Benefit may be mailed to Co-Vantage Credit Union, PO Box 394, Shawano, Wisconsin A Celebration of Life Service was held Feb. 10. 54166. Wisconsin Broadcaster | March/April 2021 11 WBA FOUNDATION Students go online to learn from broadcasters, receive awards “I thought all the profession- and producing, social media, cast journalism student of als were great!” engineering, marketing and junior standing or above who sales, promotions, sports, attends a Wisconsin college or “It was an absolute pleasure management, on-air hosts, university and who has most attending this years seminar!” and and TV noticeably developed and ex- “This was a great experience, stations participated. ercised effective and creative I’m so happy to have been a skills in leadership. After the panels, Berens pre- part of it.” sented the keynote address On behalf of the Education Ken Beno “I got one-on-one connec- followed by the presenta- Committee, I would like to Education tions with professionals that tion of the WBA Foundation thank Kyle, Michelle, and Liz WSUM News Director Jessica Gregory enjoying the Committee Chair not only gave me advice, but Scholarships to four recipients Seminar from her couch for helping to ensure the semi- also took interest in me.” and the 18th annual Student nar’s success. Those were just a few of the comments from Awards for Excellence, which had 220 entries We look forward to an “in-person” Student the more than130 students who participated in 27 categories. Students from Union Grove, Seminar in 2022. in the 2021 Virtual WBA Student Seminar on Kiel, and Bay Port and Notre Dame Acade- March 6. my in Green Bay won awards in the fourth year of the high school competition. Future Although this year’s seminar was a success- broadcasters from UW-Madison, Oshkosh, ful event, we all look forward to next year Stevens Point, Whitewater, Milwaukee, Eau and getting together in-person. The event Claire, and River Falls, along with Marquette can be attribut- and Milwaukee Area Technical College, took ed to the hard home honors in the college competition. work of the This year’s Leadership Award was presented WBA Education to Alex Strouf from UW-Stevens Point. The Committee in award is given to a broadcasting or broad- putting togeth- er an outstand- Thank you for making the 2021 Student Seminar a success ing program, which featured Ken Beno, Chair Education Committee Greg Scalzo, ESPN Wisconsin Sponsors Charlie Berens Dave Solie, WXOW-TV Armada Media Emmy-winning Al Lancaster Terry Stevenson, Seehafer Broadcasting Big Radio journalist, co- Michelle Vetterkind, President and CEO Heather Storm, Woodword Radio Group Heartland Communications median, host and creator of the “Manitowoc WBA and WBA Foundation Colleen Valkoun, iHeartMedia iHeartMedia Don Vesely, WMTV-TV Koser Radio Group Minute,” Charlie Berens. Even though Charlie Speakers Kyle Wallace, 101.7 The Truth Mid-West Family Broadcasting presented a very interesting and entertain- Bridgit Bowden, Wisconsin Public Radio Midwest Communications ing keynote. I have the pleasure of being the Evans Chronis, 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee WBA Education Committee Milwaukee Radio Alliance Jerad Clark, Mid-West Family Ken Beno, Committee Chair Morgan Murphy Media chair of this active and hard working group Rachel Frye, 620 WTMJ Dave Black, WSUM Radio NRG Media of educators and commercial broadcast Justin Garcia, Radio Pat Hastings, UW-Madison professionals. Another contribution to the Network Terry Havel, UW-Parkside WBAY-TV Jordan Gordon, Good Karma Brands Erik Johnson, UW-River Falls WDJT-TV seminar’s success is the financial support Sarah Gray, WISC-TV Jack Kapfer, UW-Eau Claire WISN-TV from the WBA and the WBA Foundation. Cherie Harris, 101.7 The Truth Brian Lucas, UW-Whitewater WITI-TV Thank you to the sponsors for your generous Krista Hatcher, 93.1 Jamz Dean Maytag, WBA Foundation WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV Shar Hermanson, Mid-West Family Committee WMTV-TV support. Bill Hubbard Jim Mead, UW-Whitewater WSAW-TV Jimmie Kaska, WEAU-TV Mike O’Brien, WCLO/WJVL WTMJ-TV The Remo platform that was used for the Lane Kimble, WISC-TV Mike Schmitt, UW-Green Bay event consisted of more than 30 tables each Dean Maytag Chris Shofner, UW-Stevens Point Special Thanks with a broadcast professional and up to Mike O’Brien, O’Brien Betterment Dr. Robert Snyder, UW-Platteville American Awards & Promotions Shannen Oesterreich, WMIL FM106.1 Nancy Stillwell, Madison Media Institute Tri-Marq five students. Students had a chance to ask Patrick Pendergast Milwaukee Radio Justine Stokes, UW-Oshkosh Liz Boyd, WBA NCSA/PEP Coordinator questions and talk to people working in the Alliance Don Vesely, WMTV-TV Kyle Geissler, Director of Operations and Gene Prucell, Wisconsin Public Media Mark Zoromski, Marquette Public Affairs business in a more relaxed atmosphere. Pro- Quinn, WMIL FM106.1 Greg Powers, Lake Land College fessionals from radio and TV news reporting Ed Reams, WKOW-TV Joe Thomas John Rowe, Cumulus Radio Student award judges in

Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation Officers & Board of Directors www.wbafoundation.org

OFFICERS Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Anna Engelhart Dean Maytag Scott M. Trentadue Tom Walker Greg Bell WKOW-TV Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster Chair of the Board Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster Al Lancaster Madison Bill Hurwitz Kelly Radandt Don Vesely WSAW-TV/WZAW-TV, Wausau Chris Bernier Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster Woodward Radio Group WMTV-TV, Madison President & CEO Radio Plus, Fond du Lac Appleton/Green Bay Vice Chair Michelle Vetterkind, R. Perry Kidder Jan Wade Bruce Grassman CAE Lynn Bieritz Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster David Sanks WISN-TV, Milwaukee Results Broadcasting Wisconsin Broadcasters Associa- Mid-West Family Broadcasting Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster tion Foundation Tom Koser Secretary Scott Chorski WAQE-AM/FM/WJMC-AM/FM/ Chuck Steinmetz Dick Record Retired Wisconsin Broadcaster WKFX-FM Rice Lake WITI-TV, Milwaukee Family Radio, La Crosse 12 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org 4 scholarships awarded to student broadcasters at Student Seminar Reagan Tamia Fowlkes Sydney Trupp is Kingsley-Reigne Zimmerman is is the 2021 the 2021 David L. Pissang is the the 2021 WBA Morgan Murphy Nelson Scholar- 2021 Howard Foundation Media Scholar- ship recipient. Gernetzke Schol- Scholarship ship recipient. arship recipient. recipient. Sydney is attend- Tamia is attend- ing the Univer- Kingsley is Reagan is ing UW-Madison. attending attending the sity of Wiscon- She is majoring UW-Madison. University of Wis- sin-Whitewater. She is major- consin-Madison. in Journalism She is majoring and Political Science. Tamia is ing in Strategic Communi- She is majoring in Journalism, in English with a creative writing planning to graduate in the cations and Reporting and Reporting, and Strategic Com- emphasis and a minor in Mar- munication. Reagan is planning spring of 2022. African-American studies with keting. Sydney is planning to a minor in Leadership. She is to graduate in the spring of Tamia wants to pursue a career graduate in the spring of 2021. planning to graduate in the 2021. in broadcast or digital journal- spring of 2021. Reagan’s career goal is to be a ism that allows her to inform Sydney’s career goal is to work combat journalist alongside the and address the issues of people for a marketing firm or adver- Kingsley’s career goal is to own military overseas. Her passion is from all different backgrounds, tising agency as a copywriter her own crisis management to work closely with the military empowering and enabling them or in the creative department. agency. She plans to attend to highlight important stories to further pursue their endeav- She has an interest in digital graduate school for public rela- no one else is telling. ors. marketing and has pursued and tions in Washington D.C. earned numerous certifications Reagan has worked as a report- Tamia is involved in numerous Among her many roles on er, anchor, and producer on in the field. groups on campus and already campus, Kingsley is President of “The Badger Report” student has a lot of media experi- Sydney was nominated and the Student Inclusion Coalition newscast and was a Civilian where she received national Public Affairs Specialist for UW ence. She’s been an intern at accepted into The National So- media attention for a video she ROTC Badger Battalion and U.S. the Wisconsin State Journal, ciety of Leadership and Success created, produced, casted, and Army Cadet Command. earned an NBC Fellowship, was (NSLS, Sigma Alpha Pi), which voiced promoting diversity and the CNN-NewsCo Temporary is strictly awarded to a small She was also an intern at NBC 15 Development Coordinator, inclusion on campus. (WMTV-TV) in Madison where portion of UW-Whitewater stu- produces the “Pod-Cast Your she worked alongside anchor, dents. She’s also enthusiastically Kingsley is also one of the multimedia journalists, and Vote” podcast, and has written involved in numerous extra-cur- leading journalists for The Black producers. She was a journalist for Madison Commons, Madi- ricular activities. Voice. She’s also served as Pres- for The Green Laker, and also son365, among others. ident of the UW Black Student Sydney is described as having supported ESPN and ABC as a Tamia is described by one pro- Union and co-chair of the UW’s unmatched creativity and pas- sideline utility worker at Badger fessor as one the best under- Black History Month committee. and Packer football games. sion in marketing, attention to graduates he has worked with Kingsley is described as an out- detail, and a strong work ethic. Reagan’s work is described as in the last decade. He calls her standing student with skills as a She’s always willing to come up professional, well-organized, on a born leader with professional leader, writer, and designer. She point, and timely. She’s demon- maturity beyond her years. with the best content. has an upbeat and infectious strated versatility, a strong Another professor says Tamia desire to give good to the world understanding of the field, and brings energy and enthusiasm and spread her enthusiasm to a willingness to get involved. to everything she does. others.

UW-Stevens Point student station manager honored as ‘true leader’ The station manager for WWSP-FM, the student run cases that directly affected the station. radio station on the UW-Stevens Point campus, will Strouf also handled budget-related challenges with high ethical stan- be recognized with the WBA Student Leadership dards of transparency with station staff. Award at the WBA Student Seminar. “Alex regularly encourages and motivates those around him to Alex Strouf was nominated by WWSP Faculty Advisor achieve better for themselves and the radio station,” Suehring wrote. and General Manager Steve Suehring who said Strouf, as station manager, is motivated to become “Being a great team isn’t about having a bunch of people that are the a better leader and motivated to achieve something same,” Strouf wrote. “It is about people that can bring the best out of Strouf more for himself and those around him. each other.” “As a result of Alex’s leadership, the executive staff Under Strouf’s leadership, the station has recognized by the mayor understands and respects each other’s strengths and job roles, work- of Stevens Point as an important part of the campus saying, “If there’s ing together to make the station better while learning and crafting anything that connects the rest of the city to the university, it is this their broadcast skills,” Suehring wrote. radio station.” Suehring said the COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challeng- “It is a fulfilling position that I am honored to hold and work alongside es for Strouf, but he exceeded expectations by providing relevant great students, professors, volunteers, and the community,” Strouf programming to listeners and encouraging staff members to create wrote. PSAs. He also made sure the station remained on the air and compli- Stouf will be recognized with the Student Leadership Award on March ant during a campus shutdown and professionally handled COVID-19 6 at the WBA Student Seminar. Wisconsin Broadcaster | March/April 2021 13 WBA Student Awards for Excellence Winners High School Sports Programming-Non Play-by-Play General Entertainment Program (TV) (Radio) News Programming (Radio) 1st MPTV (Milwaukee Area Technical College) - 1st Union Grove High School - Broncos Radio 1st UW-Stevens Point - WIAC Commissioner Pizza Pies & Pepperoni Danielle Harris joins Alex Strouf Halftime Interview With Coach D 2nd MPTV (Milwaukee Area Technical College) - News Programming (TV) 2nd WRST (UW-Oshkosh) - Halftime Wrap Letters to Santa - A Wish Received 1st Union Grove High School - Holiday Spirit 3rd - Wire Sports Weekly 3rd MPTV (Milwaukee Area Technical College) - Week News Women’s Basketball Late Night Milwaukee 2nd Union Grove High School - Homecoming Sports Programming-Non Play-by-Play (TV) Audio Storytelling-Sound (Radio) Spirit Week News 1st UW-Whitewater - Pit Pass: April 15, 2020 1st WSUM (UW-Madison) - Open Wisconsin 3rd Union Grove High School - Broncos 2nd UW-Whitewater - Warhawk Sports Protest Holiday Interviews Wednesday - Feb. 5, 2020 2nd Marquette University - Habitat Restore Sports Programming (Radio) 3rd UW-Whitewater - PEOMIOSFYRDS: 3rd WSUW (UW-Whitewater) - Chancellor 1st Kiel High School - Kiel Girls Basketball Episode 8 Watson 2nd Notre Dame Academy - Notre Dame Girls Sports Story (Radio) Long Form Production Non-News (Radio) Basketball 1st UW-Stevens Point - WIAC Cancels Fall 1st UW-River Falls - The Spread and 3rd Bay Port High School - Bay Port Hockey Sports Stipulations Sports Programming (TV) 2nd Marquette University - Uniting Through 2nd UW-Stevens Point - Sherlock Holmes Radio 1st Union Grove High School - Broncos Varsity Sports Play Basketball 3rd Marquette University - From Player to 3rd WRST (UW-Oshkosh) - Combating Cyber 2nd Union Grove High School - UGHS Sports- Coach Libel Field Report Interview Sports Story (TV) Public Affairs/Talk Show (Radio) 3rd Union Grove High School - Varsity Football 1st Marquette University - New Lacrosse 1st WSUM (UW-Madison) - Pete Buttigieg UGHS vs Burlington Coach Interview College/University 2nd Marquette University - Life After Markus 2nd WSUM (UW-Madison) - Senator Elizabeth News Series/Documentary (Radio) 3rd Marquette University - Esports Warren Interview 1st UW-Stevens Point - Full Grown Folkie - Sports Play-by-Play (Radio) 3rd WUEC (UW-Eau Claire) - COVID on Campus Horseshoes & Hand Grenades 1st WSUM (UW-Madison) - Wisconsin vs. Public Affairs (TV) 2nd Marquette University - COVID Across Purdue Men’s Basketball 1st Titan TV (UW-Oshkosh) - UW Oshkosh America UWO in 30: Taste of 3rd WSUM (UW-Madison) - Monsters of Poetry 2nd WSUM (UW-Madison) - Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Football 2nd SPtv (UW-Stevens Point) - What’s The News Series/Documentary (TV) 3rd Marquette University - Women’s Basketball Point: Student Government Association 1st UW-Madison - COVID-19 in Miami vs DePaul 3rd None Selected 2nd Marquette University - COVID Across Sports Play-by-Play (TV) PSAs/Commercials (Radio) America 1st Marquette University - Men’s Lacrosse vs. 1st WSUM (UW-Madison) - Right Now PSA 3rd UW-Milwaukee - Local Food Pantry Bellarmine Becomes Light of Hope 2nd WSUM (UW-Madison) - COVID-19 PSA 2nd UWEC TV 10 - Feb. 29 W WIAC Basketball Newscast (Radio) UWEC v UWO 3rd None Selected 1st WUEC (UW-Eau Claire) - WUEC Blugold 3rd UW-Whitewater - Women’s Basketball vs. Promotional/PSAs/Commercials (TV) Radio Sunday News Dec. 6, 2020 UW-Oshkosh: Feb. 19, 2020 1st UW-Whitewater - Thank You PSA 2nd WSUM (UW-Madison) - Nov. 19 News At 5 Air Check (Radio) 2nd Titan TV (UW-Oshkosh) - Newman Center 3rd WSUM (UW-Madison) - Nov. 24 News At 5 1st UW-Stevens Point - Keegan West Promo Newscast (TV) 2nd WRST (UW-Oshkosh) - March 11 - The Shuf- 3rd Titan TV (UW-Oshkosh) - Cooking Up Content Promo 1st UW-Madison - The Badger Report fle Hr. 2 2nd UW-Madison - The Badger Report 3rd WSUM (UW-Madison) - Pet Sounds Informational/Educational/Corporate (TV) 3rd UWEC TV 10 - BNN March 5, 2020 Station Imaging Radio 1st SPtv (UW-Stevens Point) - SPTV Recruitment Call News Story-Writing (Radio) 1st UW-Stevens Point - Queen Tribute Day Promo 2nd UW-Whitewater - Music and Art 1st UW-Stevens Point - Campus Cupboard Collaborative Project 2 2nd WSUM (UW-Madison) - Hey Hello Legal 2nd Marquette University - Hope’s Familiar 3rd SPtv (UW-Stevens Point) - Pointer Promo 3rd None Selected Website 3rd Marquette University - COVID Vegans Podcast (Radio) 1st UW-Madison - Covida News Story-Writing (TV) 1st UW-Madison - Isolated 2nd UW-Milwaukee - Media Milwaukee 1st Marquette University - Marquette’s 2nd Marquette University - Games & Grub: Melodic Secret Matt Wolfe, Coffee, and Keep Showing Up 3rd UW-Madison - Seeing 2020 in 20-20 2nd UW-Milwaukee - Voces de la Frontera 3rd UW-Madison - Dating in 2020 Social Media Brings Election Closer to Latinos General Entertainment Program (Radio) 1st UW-Madison - Curb Magazine 3rd Marquette University - Daniels Reaction 1st WRST (UW-Oshkosh) - Script to Screen - 2nd UW-Stevens Point - 90FM Social Media Feature Story TV Nov. 10, 2020 3rd WSUM (UW-Madison) - WSUM Instagram 1st UW-Madison - Virtual Education in Special Education 2nd WSUM (UW-Madison) - Happy Hour 2nd Marquette University - COVID Can’t Stop 3rd Marquette University - Lobster Squad: the Music Monster and Moustaches

3rd Marquette University - The Show Must Go On 14 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org 2020 Foundation Contributors Jowett Fellowship supports Gregg Albert/ Marty Green O’Brien Betterment Albert Broadcasting LLC (in memory of Don Victoria Grimstad training for photographers Seehafer) John & Rochelle Alexan- (in memory of Don The Rick Jowett Fellowship was established in 2017 by the Wisconsin der (in memory of Don Seehafer) Mike O’Brien Broadcasters Association Foundation to support educational oppor- Seehafer) tunities for photographers and videographers who work in media in Scott & Angela Gunder- Lynn Oettinger Tom Allen son (in memory of Don Wisconsin. Chris Protzman (in Seehafer) Recipients of the fellowship can use the grant Armada Media memory of Don Peter & Diane Hagen Seehafer) for professional development in the areas of Robert & Donna Bandt Submission (in memory of Don photography and videography. Applicants (in memory of Don Mary Rajek (in memory Seehafer) must specify how the funds will be used. Deadline is Seehafer) of Don Seehafer) Potential uses include but are not limited to David Haskell (in mem- June 1 Lyle Banks/WISC-TV Karen Raleigh (in mem- courses offered by the National Press Photog- ory of Don Seehafer) ory of Don Seehafer) raphers Association, the Poynter Institute, or Elizabeth Behnke Terry Havel any accredited college or university. This fellowship intends to award (in memory of Don Dick Record Seehafer) Nolan & Jean Hetz a total of up to $2,000 in grants annually to multiple recipients to Steve & Marlene (in memory of Don cover part or all of the recipients’ expenses. Scott Behringer (in Resnick (in memory of Seehafer) Apply at memory of Don Don Seehafer) Seehafer) Victoria Hinshaw www.wbafoundation.org/scholarships-grants/rick-jowett-fellowship Barbara Rich (in memo- About Rick Jowett Greg Bell Hometown ry of Don Seehafer) Broadcasting LLC Rick grew up in a media family. His grandfather was Bob Bellini/Milwaukee Chuck and LuAnn Roth Radio Group James Hoyt CEO of Forward Communications which owned James Schuh several television stations throughout the country. Ken and Donna Beno Daniel & Diane Hrudka Jim & Martha Schuh His family was also involved in the print media, the (in memory of Don Chris Bernier/Armada (in memory of Don Wausau Herald. While in high school Rick began his Seehafer) (in memory of Don Seehafer) career as a photographer working for the Wausau Seehafer) Bill Hurwitz Herald. Rick Jowett completed his degree in journal- Mark Seehafer/ ism (UW-Madison) in the late 70s. Following gradu- Tom and Kathy Bier Nancy Just (in memory Seehafer Broadcasting Jowett of Don Seehafer) ation, Rick started his career in broadcasting as a still Keith Bonde (in memo- Employees of Seehafer photographer at WMTV-TV, in Madison. Rick began working with ry of Don Seehafer) Russell & Margaret Kohl Broadcasting Corp the WBA in 1985 as the Association’s event photographer. He served (in memory of Don Ann & Kurt Boson Shipbuilders Credit graciously and unconditionally until his passing. Seehafer) (in memory of Don Union (in memory of Seehafer) Christine Kornely Don Seehafer) Legacy Club (in memory of Don Liz Boyd Terry and Sandy Shock- Bob Barry Ed Hinshaw Mike and Patty O’Brien Seehafer) ley (in memory of Bruce (1940-2016) Liz and Tommie Boyd Terry Baun Dick Record Tom Koser/WJMC Radio Liljegren) Laurin Jorstad Chris Bernier David Sanks Tom Boyson/Home- Perry Kidder John & Nancy Koss Terry and Sandy Lee Davis James Schuh town Broadcasting Tom Koser (in memory of Don Shockley Richard Dudley Don Seehafer Greg Carriere (in mem- Seehafer) Peter Tanz (1923-2013) John Laabs (1935-2020) ory of Don Seehafer) Lakeshore All Sports Nate Goetz Paul LeSage Sandy Shockley Bob and Teresa Smith (1926-2018) Arthur Chermak Hall of Fame (in memo- Scott Lopas Terry Shockley Bruce Grassman (in memory of Don ry of Don Seehafer) Richard Thomas Living Joe Moen (1927-2014) Michelle Vetterkind Seehafer) Trust Jack Hackman David L. Nelson Duke Wright Wayne Larivee (1933-2018) Scott Chorski Michelle and Kirk (1921-2017) Paul and Karen LeSage Vetterkind Amanda and Lindsay Deborah Lewis (in Wood Davis Don Vesely/WMTV Beno recognized by state agency memory of Don Broadcasting education advocate and WBA Hall of Edward Doucette Seehafer) Jason Weier (in memory Famer Ken Beno is being recognized for his work on of Don Seehafer) Curtis Drumm (in mem- Dave Magnum/ the Wisconsin Department of Instruction’s Business, ory of Don Seehafer) Magnum Media Steve Wexler Marketing, and Information Technology Advisory Anna Engelhart Jonathan Whirry Committee. Larry Meiller Anna Engelhart/ WISC-TV The committee promotes the recognition of busi- April & Terry Miller WKOW-TV (in memory of Don ness, marketing and IT coursework as students tran- WISN-TV Mary Engleman (in Seehafer) sition to post-secondary education and promotes WJMC Radio work-based learning and skill-oriented curriculum. memory of Don Gary Moen (in memory Beno Seehafer) of Joe Moen) WKOW-TV Beno served on the committee for three years and Dr. David Goetz WMJC Radio received a certificate of recognition from the Wisconsin State Superin- Mark & Julie Novotny tendent for his distinguished service. Good Karma Brands (in memory of Don WNWC Radio Seehafer) Bruce Grassman Wisconsin Broadcaster | March/April 2021 15 Calendar of Events LT March 24, 2021 EEO Session: Staying on Top of Your NV Series Broadcast FCC EEO Obligations 3.5 – 10 kW FM Presented by David Oxenford, Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer April 15 2021 Webinar: How to Take Advantage of Email Outstanding Efficiency Marketing Without Overextending Your Staff at Exceptional Value nautel.com Presented by Seth Resler, Jacobs Media Strategies

April 30 and May 1 2021 WBA Awards Gala Radio presentations on 4/30 , TV on 5/1 WE LIVE HERE. May 20, 2021 WE WORK HERE. Webinar: Covering Law Enforcement: Being Fair and Holding Accountable WE SERVE HERE. Presented by Kevin Benz, i-Media Strategies

Wisconsin Broadcasters help keep our ranks June 17, 2021 full so we can serve when called upon. What Webinar: Don’t be a Lazy Reporter you do matters. Thank you for your support. Presented by Joe Little, KNSD-TV, San Diego Visit nationalguard.com Aug. 19, 2021 Webinar: Copyright Presented by David Oxenford, Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer

Aug. 25-26, 2021 WBA Summer Conference Blue Harbor Resort, Sheboygan

Sept. 8-10, 2021 Broadcasters Clinic Madison Marriott West

Sept. 16 2021 Webinar: Monetizing Podcasts Presented by Seth Resler, Jacobs Media Strategies

Nov. 18, 2021 Webinar: Political File Presented by David Oxenford, Wilkinson, Barker, Knauer

Wednesday Save WBA Engineering Day/ the MTI Roundtable Golf Outing Dates! Sessions, including EEO YP of the Year Award Thursday WBA Summer Sessions Conference Presentation of Distinguished Dates: Aug. 25-26 Service Award to Dick Zaragoza Place: Blue Harbor Resort Local Broadcast Legends Sheboygan Hall of Fame