Hall of Fame Biographies

(Listed Alphabetically)

	Roger Ball started at WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids two weeks after the station went on the air in November 1962.  He has been the "go to guy" in master control ever since.  Roger's  dedication, with an unblemished record of service, speaks to his level of pride and commitment. He has played an impressive role in WZZM's strategic planning sessions with his wealth of knowledge on the market and station history. His ability to think outside his department has provided direction for the station and staff. Roger volunteers on the crisis response team and building safety committee in addition to mentoring and supervising the master control department.
	Elaine Baker well known for “breaking new ground”, Baker was the first woman to manage a major market radio station in America. Baker most recently served as vice president and general manager of WOMC-FM, Detroit. Under her leadership, she developed the station into a top revenue producer and created the station’s focus on community service, establishing the annual “Christmas is For Kids” holiday fundraiser for Children’s Hospital of Michigan, as well as partnerships with Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Festival of Trees, the American Heart Association, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and continued partnership with The Salvation Army. Ms. Baker is the recipient of several awards from broadcasting and community organizations, including MBPA’s Distinguished Service Award. She is an active volunteer who serves on many boards, including the Children’s Hospital in Michigan.
	Thomas Bender serves as the Regional General Manager and Senior Vice President for Greater Media Detroit. Bender oversees three of Detroit radio's biggest and best brands - WRIF, WCSX, and WMGC. He has served on many industry boards, including the Arbitron Advisory Council, the NAB's COLRAM committee and with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. He has pioneered HD Radio in Detroit radio and across the country. In 2005, he was named "Market Manager of the Year" by Radio Ink.
	Lester Biederman was president of Midwestern Broadcasting Corp. and a Michigan broadcasting pioneer who brought radio and television to Northern Michigan. Biederman was a station engineer in Philadelphia when he partnered with Drew McClay and Bill Kiker to put WTCM on the air in Traverse City in 1941. WTCM was the first local station in Traverse city - the nearest station was more then 100 miles away in Grand Rapids. After serving in World War II, Biederman returned to build upon WTCM's success and expand into other Northern Michigan communities. In 1945 he started WATT in Cadillac. In the years the followed, he built WWPZ and WATZ in Alpena. In 1954, Biederman entered the television business by building Traverse City's second TV station: WPBN-TV. To increase the station's reach, Biederman also built WTOM-TV in Cheboygan which served as a satellite station to WPBN. This helped create the 131st television market. After 37 years as a broadcast engineer and business leader, Biederman retired in 1978. He was a founding member of the MAB and served as MAB President in 1962.
	Ross Biederman serves as the President and General Manager of Midwestern Broadcasting Company. Born the same time as WTCM Radio, Ross has been involved in the communications business all his life. After receiving his degree in Communication Arts at Michigan State University, Ross returned to northern Michigan and immersed himself in city politics and continued to build this business. Later, returning to Traverse City, he earned the position of President for Midwestern Broadcasting Company, which his father Les Biederman founded. He expanded the business to include nine radio stations of varied formats. Biederman's latest accomplishment is the creation of Radio Centre, a mixed use development in downtown Traverse City.
	William (Joe) Blake is owner and president of WMQT-FM and WZAM-AM, Ishpeming. Joe's broadcasting career started in 1954 at WLDY radio in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, doing on-air and sales. From there he moved to WJMS radio in Ironwood. In 1969, he bought WMPL radio in Houghton and in 1971 WMQT and WZAM in Ishpeming/Marquette. Joe has been doing play-by-play broadcasting since 1954 for hockey, football, basketball, baseball, track & field, wrestling, golf, swimming, and volleyball. Joe has always been active in his community, serving as a member of the Marquette Area Public School Foundation Board of Directors, Northern Michigan University Athletic Council, Board of The Great Lakes Olympic Training Center Association, and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors. Joe has been recognized numerous times for his outstanding dedication and accomplishments. He received the Veritas Award from Boylan Catholic High School, Rockford, Illinois, in 1998 for outstanding community service reflecting Christian treatment of others. He has also received the Presidents Award from the Ishpeming/Negaunee Chamber of Commerce, and the Marquette Area Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award. In May 2001, Joe received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Marquette, Ishpeming and Negaunee Chambers of Commerce group, an award that has only been presented three times in the past twelve years.
	John F.X. Browne John F.X. Browne, PE is President of John F.X. Browne & Associates, P.C. a firm he founded in 1966. A (1961) graduate of the University of Detroit (College of Engineering & Science,) he is a licensed professional engineer in Michigan (and 11 states). Before starting his broadcast engineering consulting firm, he served in several broadcast station positions including Director of Engineering of Detroit public stations WTVS-TV and WDTR- FM. After 50 years in broadcasting, he continues as co-founder and president of non-profit Michigan Catholic Radio (WCAR Detroit). Professionally, he has twice served as President of the Association Federal Communications Consulting Engineers, five terms as Governor of the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE) and on the on the Board of Ethical Review National Society of Professional Engineers. He is a co-author of three broadcast engineering reference books including the NAB Broadcast Engineering Handbook. He was made a Fellow of the SMPTE (1978), selected as The Outstanding Engineer in Private Practice by the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (1988) and selected to receive the MAB Carl E. Lee Engineering Excellence Award (2001). An avid pilot, he holds an FAA Multi-engine Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (License) and has logged over 10,000 hours as pilot-in-command in nearly 45 years of flying. He has been awarded 24 World Aviation Records by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (Paris/Geneva) (FAI) in connection with many international flights around the world and over the North Pole. In 2004, the FAI awarded him its first (in the world) Circumnavigator Diploma. In 1986 he was in the first class of four inductees into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. His community involvement includes service as a founding board member of Rose Hill Center (Holly, MI) and an Advisory Board Member of Angels Place (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb Counties).
	P. Thomas "Tom" Bryson is President and General Manager of WJRT-TV in Flint. After graduation from the University of Missouri in 1961, one of his first assignments with Group W Radio in Washington, D.C. was to cover the "I Have a Dream" speech of Martin Luther King, Jr. Bryson worked for a variety of broadcast stations in a variety of cities early in his career including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Albany and finally at WJRT-TV in Flint. He soon became President and General Manager of WJRT-TV, a position he has held for 22 years.
	Bill Burton is President/COO of the Detroit Radio Advertising Group. His primary responsibility is to sell radio at the decision making level. Burton was born and raised in Detroit. He holds a degree in Business and Economics from Michigan State University. He attended law school at the University of Michigan until called to the service in the Army as a military police officer. He began his career in sales at the nation's biggest paper jobber, followed by five years at 3M. Bill began his radio career in the '60s where he started as salesperson and worked his way up to President/ Chairman of Eastman Radio. Bill is well known for his signature line "Be Fabulous. " It is his way of encouraging others to "Be The Best They Can Be." Those who know him will agree his enthusiasm is boundless, his energy extraordinary and his love for Radio is enormous.
	Edward Christian is President/CEO of Saga Communications. Saga Communications is headquartered in Grosse Pointe Farms and operates radio stations, television stations, radio networks and publications in 22 markets across the US; including the Michigan Radio Network and Michigan Farm Radio Network. He is a champion of community involvement and is known as "Mr. Radio" to many in the broadcast industry. Mr. Christian began his career as an account executive at several different stations before becoming operating partner of WCER-AM/FM in Charlotte, MI. From 1974 to 1977, he served as Vice President and General Manager of WNIC-FM, Detroit. From 1977 to 1986, Mr. Christian served as Executive Vice President and subsequently as President of Josephson Communications. He serves on numerous civic and industry Boards, including the NAB Board of Directors, AP Broadcast Board, the Broadcasters Foundation and the All Industry Radio Music License Committee. He is also the honorary consul of Iceland for Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Mr. Christian holds a BA from Wayne State University and an MA in Management from Central Michigan University.
	Jerry Colvin was General Manager of WOTV-TV, Battle Creek, (formerly WUHQ-TV) from 1976 until his death in 2003. Mr. Colvin started in television in 1956 at KTBS-TV in Louisiana. For 14 years, he worked as a floorman/cameraman, production director, and sales manager. He spent 6 years at a station in Mississippi before moving to WUHQ-TV in May 1976. Mr. Colvin served several terms on the MAB Board of Directors and MAB Foundation Board of Directors. He was President of the MAB in 1988. He was the MAB Legislative Leadership Chairman for many years and was close with many Congressmen and Legislators. He also served on the NAB Board of Directors from 1989-1993. His commitment to the industry and local community was tireless. He was an active member of the American Advertising Federation and a past president of the Kalamazoo Ad Club. He was also involved with the Small Business Association of Michigan and the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Chambers of Commerce. Mr. Colvin was a member of the Gull Lake Area Rotary Club and logged 25 years of perfect attendance. He was a graduate of Louisiana State University and Centenary College.
	Mort Crim has five decades of broadcasting experience during which he has worked as a national correspondent for ABC Radio Networks, served as Paul Harvey's permanent vacation substitute and covered the major news stories of our time. For the past 20 years, he has been a dominant figure in anchoring daily evening newscasts at WDIV-TV, Detroit. Mort was in Vietnam with President Lyndon Johnson and at Cape Canaveral for most of the Apollo moon voyages. Mort was the voice that described Neil Armstrong's moon landing for the national ABC radio audience. Mort has reported major news events from Poland, Germany, Italy, the Middle East, Latin America, and from inside the former Soviet Union. Mort Crim is the author of six books and is the creator, writer and voice of Second Thoughts and News You Care About. A graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Mr. Crim received his Master's degree in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. His awards include more than a dozen Emmys and numerous awards at Northwestern University including the prestigious Alumni Merit Award, and UNO's Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. In 1997 he was among the first distinguished Northwestern Alumni inducted in to Medill's Hall of Achievement. in 1995 he was awarded the Gold World Medal as best Radio Personality at the New York Festival's International Radio Awards, and the following year received the Festival's Silver Medal for Best Humor Writing.  In addition to his active career in broadcasting, Mr. Crim is also a successful businessman. He is currently Chairman and CEO of Mort Crim Communications, Inc.
	Toby Cunningham Toby is Executive Producer of sports and specials at UPN-50/WKBD-TV and CBS-62/WWJ-TV, both in Southfield, Mich.Toby produces Detroit Tigers telecasts on UPN-50. He spent 27 seasons as the Executive Producer of Red Wing hockey on UPN-50. He has been honored with 12 local Emmy Awards, including two in 1999 when he tied for first place with the production of both the Red Wings and Tigers telecasts. He has also won four Associated Press Awards and two Telly Awards. He's a longtime member of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.
	Robert T. Driscoll started his career at WLEW (Bad Axe) where he quickly established himself as the “voice for Michigan agriculture.” It was also during this time that he laid the groundwork for bringing Michigan agriculture to the national forefront through his unique ability to network. After a stint with WBCM and the Michigan Farm Bureau, he became a partner in the Michigan Farm Radio Network (MFRN). Introducing new management styles and programming concepts, Driscoll revived the failing network making MFRN the second largest regional farm radio network in the country. Out of this success, Driscoll started a cooperative made up of locally owned radio stations which ultimately built today’s radio news entity, the Michigan News Network. Driscoll went on to purchase and manage WION-AM (Ionia) were he worked until his death in 2001. During Driscoll’s career, he coined the phrase “Hello Neighbor”, a trademark among the agricultural community, and received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture award from the Michigan Farm Bureau.
	Bo Dyer was hired at WKNX in Saginaw on June 13, 1950 - eight days after graduating from the University of Cincinnati. For more then 50 years, Bob has held a number of positions at the station and is known throughout the community.  For nineteen years he did both radio and TV on WKNX TV, channel 57 (now WEYI-TV, channel 25). Over the years, Mr. Dyer has operated as Vice President & General Manager, on-air talent and part owner. Bob is Promotions Director and a Sales Representative at WKNX-AM which serves the Saginaw Valley area.
	Sonny Eliot began his career at WWJ-TV, Detroit (now WDIV-TV), after the war. He was called to do a bit part on a local variety show produced by WWJ-TV and ended up staying 35 years. While there he hosted a variety of programs including the 17-year series At the Zoo, and Hudson's perennial Thanksgiving Day Parade. Eliot also appeared on children's programs, quiz shows, comedy-variety stanzas, specials, commercials and a multitude of other program classifications, but earned his greatest reputation as a weathercaster on both Channels 4 and 2. He is currently heard on WWJ-AM 950 with his unique weather presentation - which premiered on WWJ-AM in 1950. Sonny's been making Detroit smile about the weather for years. Eliot's weathercasts are a mixture of fast-paced humor, bits of far-out philosophy, one liners, improbable analogies and similes, and, not to be overlooked, easy-to-understand weather forecasts. The National Association of TV Program Executives (NATPE) has named his witty reports the nation's best. Born and raised in Detroit, Eliot attended Central High School and Wayne State University where he received a B.A. degree in English and an M.A. in Mass Communication. It was at WSU that he began his broadcasting career as an actor in several University dramatic productions. He also appeared on network radio shows The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, and Challenge of the Yukon. During World War II, Eliot was a B-24 bomber pilot when he was shot down over Germany and spent 18 months as a prisoner of war. While in captivity, he lifted the morale of the other prisoners by staging original skits and revues. He holds the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.  Some of the many awards and citations Eliot received include the Sloan Award for his traffic safety tips at WDIV, citations by the American Legion and American Meteorological Society, and the Toastmaster International Award. He has received the MAB Broadcast Excellence Award for Broadcast Personality.
	Jeanne Findlater was the first female general manager of a major-market television station in the United States. She served as vice president and general manager of WXYZ-TV, Detroit, from 1979 until 1987. Jeanne started with WXYZ in 1971 as producer of a program called Town Meeting. She was named assistant program director in 1973 and elevated to program director in 1975. While at WXYZ, she directed the creation of Learn to Read, a 30-part television series teaching reading skills to adults. The series was broadcast in more than 80 cities. She also made national headlines byallowing WXYZ to be the first U.S. station to air condom commercials. Among her many service projects, Jeanne was also the first female president of the MAB Board of Directors.
	Alan Frank, president of Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc., has been called a "Champion of Localism" fighting previous FCC attempts to raise the station ownership cap and is an advocate against media consolidation. As chairman of the National Affiliated Stations Alliance, he has joined with other affiliates for better treatment from networks. Prior to assuming his current position in 2000, Frank made his mark when he was named vice president and general manager of WDIV-TV in 1988 and made the station into one of NBC's most powerful affiliates. Frank joined WDIV-TV in 1979 as program manager and was promoted to vice president of programming and audience development. In 1986, he was promoted to vice president of programming and production for Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc. Prior to joining WDIV, Frank held a number of management positions including program manager, production manager, and executive producer at stations in Baltimore, Boston, and San Francisco. Frank serves as chairman of the Television Bureau of Advertising's board and executive committee of the National Association of Broadcasters. Frank is also active in serving his local community as the past chairman of the board of trustees of Sparky Anderson's charity for children and serves on the board of various other organizations such as the Detroit Children's Hospital and the Detroit Zoological Society.Frank was named the 2005 Broadcaster of the Year by Broadcasting & Cable Magazine.
	Charles "Chuck" Fritz grew up in Battle Creek Michigan. Chuck got is first job in broadcasting the day after his college final exams as salesman with WWJ Radio. In 1952 Chuck joined Katz as a radio sales rep. Eight months later he opened a Detroit sales office for John Blair and went on to become a Vice President and member of the planning board during his 12 year tenure with the company. Chuck formed the first Radio Station Representative Association in Detroit and became its first President. Then in 1963 he joined ABC owned WXYZ-AM, WRIF-FM as Vice President and General Manager. In 1963 he received the first Sigma Delta Chi Award for editorial journalism. This was followed by a Peabody award in 65. Always active in local charities and community organizations, Chuck accepted the call of the MAB and joined the Board in 1965 then became President in 67. Under Chuck's leadership, the MAB successfully defeated an AD tax bill which would have devastated the Broadcasting industry in Michigan as well as the business economy in general. Chuck formed the first Taxation committee and that committee is still active today. Always the quintessential politician himself Chuck spearheaded the MAB Congressional Dinners in Washington DC, a very popular and productive event of many years. He and his wife Barbara were regular figures at MAB Conferences and always the life of the party. In 1984 Chuck bought WXYZ from ABC and changed the call letters to WXYT. His son Jock left Cox TV to join his father in forming Fritz Broadcasting and served WXYT as General Sales Manager. Just two years later, Chuck bought WCXI-FM from Gene Autry and changed the calls to WNTM, then to WAVE and finally to urban WMXD. In 1994 Chuck sold WXYT to Infinity Broadcasting and WMXD to Booth American for cash plus WSGW-WIOG Saginaw and WTOD and WKKO Toledo. By 1996, Fritz Broadcasting had grown even larger adding WGER-FM Saginaw and WRQN-FM and WIMX-FM in Toledo. In June 1997, all seven Fritz Broadcasting stations were sold to 62nd Street Broadcasting. Chuck passed away in 1998.
	Chuck Furman grew up in Jamestown, NY. The last on his block to get a TV, Chuck took matters into his own hands and planned to buy a used black and white RCA set for $60. His father felt sorry for him and pooled some money with Chuck's to get a brand new 21 inch Motorola as a family Christmas surprise for the family - a purchase that would be life-changing for Chuck's career aspirations. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Public Television was in its infancy, and depended on the staff of its affiliates to spread the word of its value and importance in the community it serves. To this day, Chuck considers being a part of that introduction of PBS to television viewers and the community at large to be one of his greatest accomplishments in the television industry. Chuck has forty years of public broadcasting experience - twelve years as Program Manager of WGVU-TV, twenty-five years as Assistant General Manager for Community Relations of WGVU-TV. Twice interim General Manger, WGVU-TV in 1979 and 1987. Prior to that, his positions included Producer/Director, Operations/Production Manager and Acting Station Manager/Program Director. Chuck is Assistant General Manager-Community Relations of West Michigan Public Relations. As Program Manager, Chuck was one of three original employees who helped launch WGVC-TV in December of 1972. During the last 32 years, Chuck Furman has become so much a part of WGVU that he is almost synonymous with WGVU itself, both among the staff and the community as a whole.
	Grace Gilchrist was named vice president and general manager of WXYZ-TV (Detroit) in 1997, and since then, the station has been one of the most-honored stations in the country, winning the “triple crown” of journalism accolades – the George Foster Peabody, Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University and Investigative Reporters & Editors Awards. Prior to her current position, Gilchrist held various roles at WXYZ-TV including station manger and general sales manager. She joined WXYZ-TV in 1986, from WSB-TV (Atlanta) where she served as general sales manager and local sales manager. Previously, Gilchrist worked at WDIV-TV (Detroit) as local sales manager, and holds the distinction of being the first female sales manager in the Detroit television market. In November of 2003, Gilchrist was presented with “The Jeffery W. Barry Educational Excellence and Service Award”. Gilchrist also received the “Women of Achievement” award from the Anti-Defamation League. Gilchrist is a graduate of Leadership Detroit XI and serves as electronic media chair for United Way Community Services. She also serves on the board of directors for numerous organizations including the National Association of Broadcasters and the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.
	Verna S. Green was Senior Vice President & General Manager of WJLB-FM & WMXD-FM, Detroit.  Green joined WJLB in 1982 where she directed a complete performance turnaround making the station among the industry's most respected.  She managed WJLB and WMXD since 1994, while continuing to unselfishly serve her community and the industry.  In addition to her service on the Board of Directors of both the MAB and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Green served on boards and committees of numerous Detroit area organizations.  In 1982 she initiated Detroit's 'Coats for Kids' program which has since distributed more than 200,000 coats to needy children.  The program has since been mirrored in cities all across America.
	Ernie Harwell has spent more than half a century broadcasting sports events. His career dates back to 1940 and his major league broadcasting career began in 1948. Harwell worked with the Brooklyn Dodgers, the New York Giants and the Baltimore Orioles, before becoming the voice of the Detroit Tigers in 1960. A graduate of Emory University, Harwell's first on-air experience was as a sports broadcaster for WSB/Atlanta. He also served as a journalist for the Atlanta Constitution and broadcast more play-off games than any other announcer in baseball history. In 1981, Harwell became the first active play-by-play announcer to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, and has also been inducted into the National Sportscaster's Hall of Fame.  He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1998.  Harwell will retire from broadcasting Detroit Tigers baseball at the end of the 2002 season.
	Theodore “Ted” Heusel has become “Mr. Ann Arbor”, “the voice of Ann Arbor”, and “a community fixture” over the course of his radio broadcasting career. Since 1950, Heusel has worked at WPAG, WOIA and WAAM, all in the Ann Arbor area. He currently conducts his radio show from WAAM-AM, where he has worked since 1983. One of Heusel’s most important contributions to radio broadcasting was in 1956 after he adopted what has come to be called the “radio talk show” and the use of open telephone lines inviting guests to participate frequently. In addition to his career in radio broadcasting, Heusel is very active in Ann Arbor Civic Theater having served over the years as an actor, director, and producer in various theater programs and was awarded a Lifetime Theater Award from the Arts Council of Washtenaw County in response to his contributions. He has also been active in the Ann Arbor community serving on city agencies including the Ann Arbor Compensation Committee, the Ann Arbor Recreation Board, and the Ann Arbor Historic Commission. Additionally, Heusel served as president of the Ann Arbor Board of Education and in honor of his service, the two area high schools have named their annual football game the “Ted Heusel Bowl.”
	Specs Howard graduated from college and went on to start his own radio station, WKIN, in Kittanning, PA in 1948. From there he went on to enjoy a 20-year on-air career that took him from Kittanning, PA to Cleveland, OH and later to Detroit as one-half of the "Martin & Howard Show" throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Off the air, Howard has become an institution since he opened doors to aspiring broadcast professionals in 1970. He saw a need within the industry and he acquired the Lee Alan School of Broadcasting, known today as the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, to deliver practical, hands-on training for aspiring broadcast professionals. Throughout the years, the school has received attention and accolades from the business and education communities at large and has been referred to as "The Harvard of Broadcast Schools." In 30 years, the school has seen more than 10,000 graduates. Howard still spends every working day supervising the activities at the school. He also does freelance voiceover work locally and nationally. Today the school trains approximately 600 students per year and has graduates working in all aspects of radio and television broadcasting, audio and video production and related fields.
	Fred Jacobs has emerged over the past two decades as one of radio's leading visionaries. He founded Jacobs Media in 1983, when he had the notion that Album Rock could be fragmented with Classic Rock format, which has become one of the most successful radio formats created during that time. Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults Jacobs Media's major market Classic, Mainstream, and Active Rock clients, and consults the leading broadcasting companies including Infinity, Entercom, Emmis, Greater Media, ABC, Cox, Susquehanna, Journal, Saga, and Citadel. The company also consults National Public Radio and The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Prior to opening the company, Fred spent the majority of his time designing and managing research projects as the Director of Research for the Radio and Publishing divisions of Frank N. Magid Associates, a leading research and consulting firm. Later, Fred became Director of Radio Research for the ABC FM Owned and Operated Radio Stations. From there, Fred gravitated to the station side, becoming Program Director for legendary WRIF-FM in Detroit, before forming Jacobs Media.
	Dick Kernen began his broadcast career as a mail courier for WXYZ-AM/FM/TV in 1956. In 1969, he was the first operations and program director at WRIF-FM. In 1972, Mr. Kernen began working at Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts were he serves as a liaison between graduates of the school and the broadcast industry. Additionally, he handles public & industry relations as well as helping thousands of graduates begin and advance in their broadcast careers. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Detroit Producers Association and the Detroit Chapter of the International Television Association. He is a member of the Dearborn, Michigan Telecommunications Commission, the Community Advisory Board of WDET-FM, and the Board of Directors of Saga Communications.
	Michael O. Lareau started his broadcast career at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids where he held several positions before serving as General Manager for 35 years from 1955-1990.  During some of these years he also served as GM for WOOD radio. In 1966 he served as president of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  From 1979-1982 he served as Director for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).  From 1975-1990 he also served as Director for the Radio Advertising Bureau.
	Ray Lane has been a fixture in Michigan sportscasting for almost four decades making him one of the most recognized and distinguished sports broadcasters in the market.  He was known in his early days for wearing flashy sport coats as he sat at George Kell's side in the TV booth.  Then it was on to radio where he teamed with Ernie Harwell through some of the Tigers' best seasons - 1967 through 1972.  He left following the 1972 season, making way for Paul Carey's long stint as Harwell's partner. He had a crackling, high-energy voice and a sharp wit that frequently cracked up Harwell.  Lane has served as the voice of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University football and University of Detroit basketball.  Lane was sports director at WJBK-TV (Detroit) succeeding Van Patrick.  He later was sports director at WKBD-TV (Detroit) where he served as host of Red Wings games.  Lane (nicknamed 'Razor' by Red Wings players) still does Tigers play-by-play on occasion for WKBD-TV.  Lane is a past president of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association, has been named "Michigan Sportscaster of the Year" and has been inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
	Carl E. Lee began his broadcast career as an engineer after graduation from the Michigan Academy of Radio Science in 1939.  He rose through the ranks of management and in 1985 acquired ownership of Fetzer Broadcasting Services, Inc. where he served as GM and President. Fetzer Broadcasting comprised of  WKZO Radio-Kalamazoo, WJFM-Grand Rapids, WKJF AM/FM-Cadillac and Muzitronic Services Inc. Carl was instrumental in the development of AM directional antennas. Carl was a trustee of the Broadcast Pioneers Library, Member of the Board of Directors of the Broadcasters Foundation, Life Member of the Broadcast Pioneers, Charter Member of the Society of Television Pioneers, Charter Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.  He also served on committees for the NAB and on the board of Broadcast Music, Inc. as well as being active his whole life in community service organizations.  He also served on the Board of the Western Michigan University Foundation.  Carl served as President of the MAB in 1956.
	Robert G. Liggett, Jr. has owned and operated stations in New York, Minnesota, California, Ohio, South Carolina and Michigan.  Bob got his start in the broadcast industry at the age of 14 at WBRB in Mt. Clemens and WPON in Pontiac.  By the time he received his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University in 1969, he had held on-air positions at radio stations WJBK, WXYZ and WJR in Detroit.  In 1970, he started MegaMedia, Inc. which acquired WFMK-FM in East Lansing. He went on to grow his group of Lansing stations as Chairman and Owner of Liggett Broadcast Group.  In the late 1990's, Bob sold his Lansing stations to Citadel Broadcasting. Bob is a member of the MAB Foundation board of directors.  He was also instrumental in the Michigan Broadcast History Exhibit, "On the Air!", recently displayed at the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing.
	Kenneth H. MacDonald, Sr.  began his broadcast career in 1962 when him and his wife, Ann, purchased WSAM-AM, Saginaw. They turned their station in a family network including:  WEEG-FM & WKCQ-FM (Saginaw), WATT-AM & WLXV-FM (Cadillac), WMKT-AM, WLXT-FM, WKHQ_FM & WMBN-FM (Petoskey), and WILS-AM & WHZZ-FM (Lansing).  Before his passing in 1989, he acquired 11 broadcast radio stations.  He was also a former President of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and served on the board of the American Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce and the Saginaw County Republican Party.  He helped to organize the first Saginaw River raft race and was part owner of the Saginaw Gears hockey team, which later evolved into the Saginaw Hawks.
	J.P. McCarthy maintained top ratings for over 30 years as morning host of WJR Radio in Detroit and garnered many prestigious awards during his career.  He was a four-time Billboard National Radio Personality-of-the-Year and a five-time finalist for the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Personality-of-the-Year award, which he won in 1994.  In 1992 he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.  McCarthy was heavily involved in community service during his career at WJR.  His 19 years as the chairman of the McCarthy P.A.L. Golf Tournament saw in excess of $1,000,000 raised for the Detroit Police Athletic League.  He  also co-hosted the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Telethon for three years and hosted the ceremonies for the March of Dimes Doge National Awards.  Starting in 1991, McCarthy was Vice President of Community and Civic Services at WJR/AM-Capital Cities/ABC, Inc.  He was a member of the Board of Trustees for Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum and William Beaumont Hospital.
	Charles D. Mefford was a voice to be heard in the broadcasting industry from an early age when, like many young broadcasters, he got his first job at the age of 16 as "gopher" for WJEL in Springfield, OH.  After graduating from Western Michigan University (WMU) and serving his country in the Army, Mefford pursued his broadcasting dream starting at WKMI (Kalamazoo) 1955-1957; WMAK (Nashville, TN) 1957-1959; and WISM (Madison, WI) 1959-1964.  He and his partners at Metropolitan Radio Corporation started what was to eventually grow into Mid-West Family Radio Corp. which today, consists of 29 stations in six markets.  Mefford moved to Lansing in 1964 and served as president, general manager and owner of WITL-AM.  He nurtured the station as the first country station north of the Mason/Dixon line.  Mefford retired from WITL in 1987 but remains a part of Mid-West Family Radio Corp. as a director and owner.  Mefford served his community in various ways throughout his career, serving as State Chairman of the Spiritual Aims Committee for Kiwanis; a former vice president of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; director of the State organization of the Boy Scouts of America; past chairman/committee member of the Governor's Prayer Breakfast Committee; and a past president and former director of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
	E. Harold Munn, Jr. is a retired telecommunications engineering consultant and was president of E. Harold Munn, Jr. and Associates, Inc., a broadcast consulting engineering firm from 1950 to 1992.   Munn completed his undergraduate at Hillsdale College and his post-graduate studies at Michigan State University and George Washington University School of Engineering.  Throughout his professional career, Munn has served on a number of committees and boards including: president, Coldwater (MI) Board of Public Utilities for 27 years and a member of the board for 35 years; member, Telecommunications Advisory Commission, Michigan Department of Education, 1973-1975; board of directors of Christian Broadcasting Association 1957-2003; board of directors of Blue Ridge Broadcasting Corporation 1963- to date; president and chair of the board, Coldwater Cablevision Inc., 1963-1987; secretary and director of Twin Valley Broadcasters, Inc., 1947-82; director and officer of Baw Beese Broadcasters, Inc., 1953-58; director and officer of WSTR, Inc., 1953-1960; director of Bell Broadcasting Company, 1980-1995; director and officer of WYNZ, Inc., 1959-1965; and director and officer of Columbia Cablevision Inc., 1982-1990.  In addition, he is also a member of IEEE (lifetime), SBE (lifetime) and SCTE.
	Peter Orlik, PhD, has spent countless hours educating prospective broadcasters during his 34 year tenure at Central Michigan University. Dr. Orlik currently serves as Chairperson of the Broadcast and Cinematic Arts Department which he founded in 1969.  Through the publication of reference books and other publications, he has played a key role in shaping the course of the industry. Dr. Orlik has written several books, including: Broadcast/Cable Copywriting, The Electronic Media: An Introduction to the Profession, and Critiquing Radio and Television Content. Dr. Orlik received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Wayne State University, where he also earned his MA and PhD in Speech/Mass Communications.  Dr. Orlik is a member of the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, the Broadcast Education Association, The Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the National Association of Television Program Executives.
	Dick Purtan has been a part of Detroit radio since the 1960s and is regarded as one of Michigan's most respected and recognized air personality. Purtan is a graduate of Syracuse University and started at WWOL-AM in Buffalo, NY, in 1958. He moved to WSAI-AM in Cincinatti from 1960-1965 before starting in Detroit on Keener 13 WKNR-AM in May 1965. In 1968, he left for WBAL-AM in Baltimore, however, he was let go within 6 months after using the word "guts" on the air. He returned to Detroit in 1968 and spent 4 years at WXYZ-AM. In 1972 he moved to CKLW-AM where he spent 19 years. In 1981 he moved to WCZY-FM (which later became WKQI-FM) where he stayed for 15 years. In 1996 he became host of the Oldies 104.3 WOMC Morning Show with Purtan's People, where he entertains his listeners with comedic satire and topical wit right off the front pages. Purtan has received numerous awards including a Marconi award for Major Market Personality of the Year, and has twice been named Billboard Magazine's  Major Market Personality of the Year. Additionally, Purtan has been honored by the Detroit News as "Michiganian of the Year" for his charitable works. In 2003, Purtan reached a new milestone during his annual Radiothon to benefit the Salvations Army's Bed & Bread Truck, when the show raised over one million dollars in just sixteen hours. Purtan has been profiled on ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN and has also been featured in People, Newsweek, Time, and US magazines.
	James H. Quello started his broadcast career in 1947 when he joined the staff of WJR.  He rose through the ranks to become Vice President and General Manager in 1960.  From 1969 until his retirement in 1972, Jim also served as Vice President with Capital Cities.  Quello was also very active in Detroit civic affairs.  He was a member of the city's Housing and Urban Renewal Commission for 21 years, serving as president for four different terms.  He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, having been appointed by four governors.   He was a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and is former president and director of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.  He was a member of the Broadcast Pioneers from 1954-1974.  Quello was appointed as a Commissioner to the Federal Communications Commission in 1974 by President Nixon, was reappointed in 1981 by President Reagan for a short second term and, again, in 1984 for a full seven year term.  Quello served as FCC Commissioner for 23 years before retiring in 1998.  He has been distinguished by awards and honorary degrees from Northern Michigan University and Michigan State University.  He received the NATPE International President Award and the Silver Satellite Award from the AWRT.  In 1998, Michigan State University honored him with the creation of the James H. and Mary B. Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law.
	Gary Reid is a University Distinguished Senior Specialist in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media at Michigan State University, General Manager of WDBM-FM and 2007 Chairman of MAB Foundation. He also serves as Associate Director of the Quello Center for Management and Law. Over the past 30 years he has taught in a variety of areas including all of the audio/radio courses, video production classes, telecommunication technology and media management courses. Reid has built WDBM into one of the most successful college radio stations in the country.
	Bob Reynolds started his career as a sports writer in Springfield Union, Massachusetts. Bob then worked at several stations before coming to Michigan to work at Flint's WFDF in the late 1940's. Bob was the first man to broadcast the Flint Northern/Flint Central football game on Thanksgiving Day. In 1952, Bob became the first sports director at WJR in Detroit. He remained WJR Sports Director until 1977. Bob was the announcer of the Detroit Lions for 31 years as well as the announcer for MSU football for 21 seasons. Bob was inducted into the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
	Warren Reynolds, began his career covering football for a local radio station while attending Hillsdale College. After college, Warren moved to Port Huron where he covered pee wee hockey games. In 1964, Warren accepted the sports director position at WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids. Throughout his 36 years at WOOD-TV as sports director and host of Positively Michigan, Warren was constantly involved with charitable causes of all kinds, including the Children's Miracle Network of Champions, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the Special Olympics. Warren was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the March of Dimes West Michigan, and established the Warren Reynolds Grand Valley State University Endowed Scholarship to help others follow in his footsteps. Warren died of cancer in 2000. He was 63.
	Luster "Les" Root was born in Memphis Tennessee but has lived in the Detroit and Flint areas since the age of three. During his years at Flint Central High School, he became interested in a radio career. Working as a student announcer/engineer at WFBE-FM became the basis for a long career in his chosen field. Beginning as News Director in 1984 at WTRX, he has covered and continues to cover, the top stories affecting residents of mid-Michigan. He has had the opportunity to cover news events, on special assignment, in Washington DC, Atlanta, Georgia, Los Angeles, and Israel. His work and those of his reports has earned numerous awards over the year from the Associated Press and other organizations. Those awards included News Department and Individual excellence in reporting citations, as well as recognition for best news presentation. Les and his wife make their home in the Fenton area.
	Tom Scanlan began his career by installing rooftop television antennas in 1954.  While studying electrical engineering at the University of Connecticut, Scanlan worked as a staff engineer at what is now WFSB, Hartford.  After serving 11 years Active Duty in the USAF, he left the service to start Thunder Bay Broadcasting Corp., Alpena.  When Thunder Bay's CBS affiliate, WBKB-TV, went on the air, it brought the first television service to 30,000 citizens in northeast Michigan.  After serving as general manager at stations in Florida, North Carolina, and Mississippi, Scanlan came back to Michigan in 1988 to form Scanlan Communications, Inc. and purchased WGTU/WGTQ-TV, Traverse City/Sault Ste. Marie.  In 1996, Calumet, Michigan received their first local television service when Scanlan built WBKP-TV. Scanlan has served on the MAB Board of Directors and the MAB Foundation Board of Directors. He is a Past President of the MAB.  He has also served on the board of directors for the American Red Cross, Keweenaw Industrial Council, and is an active member of the Calumet Rotary Club.
	Bill Schroeder started his broadcasting career at a Pittsburgh, PA, radio station in 1936. He soon grew from a salesman to a general manager of a New York radio station. In 1950, Bill became vice president and general manager of WOOD Radio in Grand Rapids. In 1951, WOOD Radio purchased WOOD-TV (then called WLAV-TV). Bill was manager of both WOOD Radio and WOOD Television. Under Bill's vision and leadership, FM was added to the station group and Schroeder guided all three stations to market dominance. In 1964, Bill was elected chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors. Soon thereafter, NAB president LeRoy Collins resigned and the NAB decided to create a two-man team to head the NAB. Bill became a working chairman, assigned to Washington in partnership with NAB president Vince Wasilewski. For the balance of his term, Bill juggled two hats and occupied two desks - one in Washington and the other in Grand Rapids.  In 1972, Bill and several other Grand Rapids business associates formed Wood Broadcasting Inc. and purchased WOOD AM & FM from Time-Life while remaining general manager of WOOD-TV. Upon retirement as general manager of the TV station, Bill remained active as president of Wood Broadcasting Inc. until 1984 when the stations were sold. Bill Schroeder was born in St. Louis and graduated from the University of Missouri. He and his wife Barbara still reside in Grand Rapids. On the level of individual participation, Bill sets the pace. In addition to his active role as NAB chairman, Bill served as president of the MAB, Chairman of Kendall College of Art and Design and 1968 Chairman of the United Way of Greater Kent County. He has served on the board of directors of the YMCA, Salvation Army, St. Mary's Hospital, Aquinas College, and West Michigan Public Broadcasting. Bill's sense of obligation for the well-being of the community is confirmed by his activities - both in the broadcasting industry and personal life. The standards he set throughout his career will be measured by all of us in years to come.
	Timothy “Tim” Skubick broadcasting career began at the 50-watt student-run dorm station, WKME radio, in Shaw Hall at Michigan State University in 1963. When WKAR-TV’s (East Lansing) locally produced show “Off the Record” was launched, Skubick was hired to anchor the program which is still on the air today. In addition, he has also anchored every major gubernatorial debate since 1970 and has produced more than 2,500 broadcast of political programming for all Michigan public television stations through the facilities of WKAR-TV. Skubick is the longest serving member of the state capitol press corps and currently covers the capitol for a variety of media outlets including the Michigan Information Research Service, The Michigan Radio Network, WWJ-AM (Detroit), MSU Public Broadcasting WKAR, WILX-TV (Lansing), and he writes a weekly political column for eight newspapers around the state including, among others, the Lansing State Journal and the Macomb Daily. Skubick recently was presented the Silver Circle Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his 40 years in the broadcasting industry and in 2003, “Off the Record with Tim Skubick” received a national “Telly” award in the “Informational Programming” category.
	Stephen Trivers has spent most of his professional career in radio broadcasting. He has been an on-air performer, an advertising time salesman and a general manager. For thirty-four years he was the majority shareholder and general manager of Fairfield Broadcasting Company, which owned and operated radio stations in Kalamazoo, Michigan as well as Fort Wayne, Indiana and Lexington, Kentucky. Trivers began Stephen C. Trivers LLC upon the sale of the Kalamazoo stations and the liquidation of Fairfield Broadcasting Company.
	Richard Tuisku (a.k.a. Dick Storm) started in radio as staff announcer, program director, and news director at WMPL-AM/FM, Hancock, from 1964-1980.  He later served as news director for WOLV-FM/WCCY-AM from 1980-1994.  In 1994, Tuisku along with Justin Marzke, formed Tu-Mar Broadcasting and purchased WHKB-FM, WOLV-FM, & WCCY-AM.  Tuisku is President and News Director for the Tu-Mar Broadcasting stations. Tuisku is a graduate of Brown Institute of Broadcasting, Minneapolis, and Suomi College, Hancock. He holds a business degree from Michigan Technological University.  He has received numerous awards including being named the 1991 Person of the Year by the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress.
	Nancy A. Waters has always been known for her honesty, integrity, competence and hard work. When Waters was 14 years of age she obtained her first job at the local hospital, working 20 hours per week to help her family. While attending college, Waters worked full-time and was active in the community, politics and the civil rights movement. From 1967 to 1982, Waters was the Chief Administrative Assistant to the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, becoming the first black and first woman to hold a non-clerical position at the Michigan House of Representatives. In 1979, at age 36 and with no broadcasting experience, Waters formed Waters Broadcasting Corporation. During that same year, she filed an FCC application to construct a new Class C, 100,000 watts FM radio station in Hart, Michigan. Waters was not the only applicant and began a five year process of FCC grants, reversed decisions, and appeals. In the end, the FCC Administrative Law Judge and the FCC Commission held that Waters could provide the best service to the community and granted her the right to build WCXT-FM. As an owner and general manager, Waters has been nothing short of a miracle worker in areas such as finance, sales, promotions, legal matters, and engineering. Waters believes in the magic of empowerment and knows how to delegate - she encourages everyone to do their best. Waters has served as an active member of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, and the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council. She has shared her success by contributing significant amounts of money to numerous charities, church groups, the Muskegon Art Museum and educational institutions. Additionally, Waters’ gifts to the Muskegon County Foundation provide yearly college scholarships for Muskegon County residents - as a result of her gifts, the new Muskegon Heights High School Auditorium is named the “Waters Center for the Performing Arts.” Waters’ contributions and service to the industry and her community have been recognized through numerous awards including Michigan’s First Annual Distinguished Women Enterprise of the Year award, the Muskegon County Rosemary Kleaveland Award for Service to Women, and the Women of Accomplishment Award from Muskegon Community College.
	George H. Williams, a native of Detroit, began his broadcast career by joining the staff of WJR in 1958.  From 1975-1988 he was the General Manager of WKBD-TV.  During his tenure there, WKBD was an independent UHF station.  Not relying on any network programming, Williams created a strong station with a unique mix of sports, children programs and original shows created by the station.
	John Wismer was owner and president of Wismer Broadcasting Inc. (WHLS-AM, WSAQ-FM Port Huron), and past president of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters in 1954. He began his broadcasting career in 1946 as Sports Director at WHLS, became General Manager in 1950 and purchased the station in 1954. Wismer also bought and sold stations WLAV-AM/FM in Grand Rapids, WCSR-AM in Hillsdale, WLEW-AM/FM in Bad Axe, and WAOP-AM/FM in Ostego. In addition, he served as President of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce from 1976-78 and was a Past President of the Michigan Associated Press Radio & Television Stations. For more than 30 years, he served as a member of the Port Huron Hospital Board of Trustees. Wismer also served as Campaign Chairman for the St. Clair County United Way in 1957, 1977, and 1997, was the recipient of the United Way's prestigious "Heart of Gold" award, and received the Father John Hogan Humanitarian Award in 1999.