MARCH/APRIL 2020 CHAIR’S COLUMN Success highlights importance of member involvement The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association is regarded If you need background on important issues for one of these as one of the best state broadcasting association in meetings, don’t hesitate to contact the WBA office for support. Also, the country. This is according to Sen. Gordon Smith, when we have these local meetings, we should constantly remind the President and CEO of the National Association the elected officials of our value, how we are involved in virtually of Broadcasters. everything that happens in our communities, and the millions of During our recently completed legislative trip to dollars that Wisconsin Broadcasters help raise for their communities Washington DC, we also heard this from many every year. leaders of other state associations. The WBA is so We recently celebrated another legislative victory in the state Chris Bernier highly regarded because of the dedicated work by when Governor Evers signed into law the bill regarding the use of WBA Chair our President, Michelle Vetterkind, and the staff, but law enforcement body cameras. This was one of our talking points equally as important, is our membership! during State Legislative Day and in local meetings, plus the phone Our membership’s relationships with our elected officials are one of blitz that many of you participated in just before the vote. This is most significant things we can do as local broadcasters. Calling on another triumph in a long list of successes we have had thanks to them during State Legislative Day and in DC is very important. But our members. even more pivotal are the meetings in the district. Having the State Your involvement in the array of activities put on by the WBA is truly Assembly and State Senate members as well as Congressional and what makes the WBA if not the best, one of the best associations in U.S. Senate members visit your radio or TV station is invaluable. the country! Thanks! CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Bernier named WBA Chair..... 2 Changes coming to WBA events in 2021 Evers signs body cams bill..... 3 Some big changes are coming to your passage of the bill this session so that the effort Zaragoza to be recognized..... 4 WBA event schedule in 2021 which and remarkable outcome of the committee’s work WBA visits DC........................ 5 will affect the Winter Conference, could be realized. A really special thank you to Event updates........................ 6 State Legislative Day, and Student everyone who pitched in. Read more on page 3. Seminar. While there are a lot of Young Professionals award.... 7 Michelle Zaragoza be recognized for contributions Vetterkind, reasons for the change, we’re most Making a Difference............... 8 Your WBA, and, indeed, all other state broadcaster CAE excited about bringing more resourc- WBA Awards Gala................... 9 associations, would not be what they are today WBA President es to the WBA Student Seminar. A key Names in the News................ 10 change is moving the WBA’s winter without Dick Zaragoza. As our legal representa- and CEO Winter Conference report...... 11 job fair and EEO sessions to the WBA tion in Washington DC over many, many years, his contributions are difficult to enumerate. In EAS live code test................... 12 Student Seminar. There are many more exciting changes to come. Read all about it on addition to his tremendous service, he’s also a 2020 WBA member list.......... 13 page 6. good friend! We hope you can join us at the Sum- Foundation board changes.... 14 mer Conference in La Crosse this coming June to Successful push for passage of body cams legislation Foundation contributors........ 14 recognize his contributions. Read all about Dick Those who attended our State Legislative Day in on page 4. Jowett Fellowship.................. 14 January know that one of the key asks this year was for WBA members bring their voice to DC Student Seminar report......... 15 passage of a bill regarding the use of law enforcement Scholarship winners...............16 body cameras. Those efforts paid off when both hous- Eighteen representatives of your WBA visited Student Award winners......... 17 es of the legislature approved the bill on a voice vote Washington DC at the end of February to make our annual calls to our representatives on Capitol App advice............................. 18 and Governor Evers signed it into law. A Legislative Study Committee overcame significant differences to Hill. The meetings were productive and positive. WBA Newsroom headlines.... 19 create a bill that won the support of law enforcement, Your positive work in your communities helps us Calendar of Events................. 20 the media, criminal justice attorneys, and lawmak- demonstrate to your representatives the value of ers on both sides of the aisle. Your WBA supported Continued on page 2> PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Continued from page 1 broadcasting and your strong commitment to provided a broad- serving your local communities. Thank you to caster’s perspective everyone who joined the trip and served as won- on the new tech and derful ambassadors of your WBA membership. what it will mean for Read more about the visits on page 5. listeners and viewers. Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Officers & Board of Directors Student Seminar This was the first year Jacobs provided and OFFICERS 2020-2021 We had more than 140 students at the 2020 tailored a tour to Chair of the Board Student Seminar where we also handed out NASBA members. I Chris Bernier Radio Plus, Marinette/ Fond du Lac the WBA Student Awards for Excellence. We strongly urge you to announced to the students our plans to add the Vice Chair - TV, Chair Elect follow the develop- Don Vesely WMTV-TV, Madison job fair to the seminar next year. The announce- ments at CES. Nu- Vice Chair - Radio ment got a warm reception. Thank you to all the merous publications Lupita Montoto La Movida WLMV Radio, broadcasters who took time out of their week- cover the event, Madison ends to spend time with our future broadcasters. including Jacobs Media which also publishes a Treasurer Jan Wade WISN-TV, Milwaukee CES provides glimpse of future podcast about CES. Check it out! Secretary Your WBA was on hand this year as the future Your WBA has a lot coming up yet in 2020. Michael Wright Midwest Communications, Green Bay/Wausau of technology was We look forward to seeing you at the Walker Immediate Past Chair on display in Janu- Broadcast Management Institute April 14-16 in Steve Lavin WBAY-TV, Green Bay Madison, the WBA Awards Gala on May 2 at the ary at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Madison Marriott West, and the WBA Summer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Vegas. It’s always an Conference June 17-18 in La Crosse. Your WBA Judson Beck WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV, eye opening show! We team is excited to have so many opportunities La Crosse/Eau Claire toured the show with to connect with you, our valued members. Stay Brian Burns Morgan Murphy Media, Madison Jacobs Media, which safe and have a wonderful spring! Paul Cameron The Family Radio Network, Appleton Herb Cody QueenB Radio, Platteville Bernier named Chair, new members elected Sean Dwyer WXOW-TV, La Crosse The WBA Board of Directors is under new leadership after the WBA’s annual meeting Jan. 29 in Madison. Stevens Point Anna Engelhart WKOW-TV, Madison Chris Bernier, Radio Plus, Marinette/Fond du Lac, the current WBA Vice Chair and Chair-Elect, was Aleese Fielder NRG Media-Wausau/ automatically elevated to the position of Chair of the Board. The WBA Board of Directors also includes Stevens Point Steve Lavin, WBAY-TV, Green Bay, who will remain as ex-officio Past Chair. The following will also serve as Andy Gille Midwest Communications, officers: Green Bay Dean Kallenbach Wisconsin Public Radio, • Vice Chair–TV/Chair Elect Don Vesely, WMTV-TV, Madison Senior Regional Manager, Eau Claire • Vice Chair–Radio Lupita Montoto, La Movida, Madison Mike Smith WFRV-TV, Green Bay • Treasurer Jan Wade, WISN-TV, Milwaukee Mark Strachota WDJT-TV/CBS & Telemundo, • Secretary Michael Wright, Midwest Communications, Wausau Milwaukee The following new members were appointed by the board as at-large directors: Colleen Valkoun iHeartMedia, Milwaukee Jeff Welton Nautel, Hackett’s Cove, • Sean Dwyer, WXOW-TV, La Crosse Nova Scotia • Dean Kallenbach, Wisconsin Public Radio, Senior Regional Manager, Eau Claire (representing non- Ex Officio - NAB Board commercial broadcasting) Tom Walker Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Madison The following directors were elected by the membership: • NE District Radio: Andy Gille, Midwest Communications, Green Bay WBA Team President & CEO • SE District Radio: Colleen Valkoun, iHeartMedia, Milwaukee Michelle Vetterkind, CAE The current WBA Board officers will serve on the board until summer 2021, pending second reading ap- [email protected] proval of changes to the WBA bylaws by WBA membership at the 2020 Summer Conference. Vice President - Administration Linda Baun [email protected] 2020 Election windows for Lowest Unit Charge NCSA/PEP Coordinator Liz Boyd Elections Election Dates Window for LUC begins [email protected] Spring Primary Feb. 18, 2020 Jan. 4, 2020 Director of Operations and Public Spring Election April 7, 2020 Before end of primary window Affairs 7th Cong. District May 12, 2020 Before end of spring window Kyle Geissler [email protected] Fall Primary Aug. 11, 2020 June 27, 2020 Fall General Nov. 3, 2020 Sept. 4, 2020 WBA Board minutes are always available for members. Please email Linda Baun at Get a 2020 Political Broadcasting Rules Summary on the WBA [email protected] to request website. Under “Members Only” look for “Political Broadcasting a copy. Resources.” 2 Wisconsin Broadcaster | wi-broadcasters.org Gov.