MAB Board of Directors

Officers

Chairman Diane Kniowski, WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids. Diane's career in the broadcast industry began in Erie, PA at WICU-TV. She has worked in Dallas, TX on the agency side of Tracy-Locke and Stern/Monroe Advertising. In addition, Diane was a local account executive at KTVT and sold national advertising for Telerep, Seltel and ABC/Capital Cities. While in Texas, Diane served as President of the Association of Broadcast Executives of Texas and was a member of the Southwest Broadcast Representatives and American Women in Radio and Television. In 1990, she was honored with the "Award of Excellence for Television Sales" from American Women in Radio and Television. Joining WOOV TV8 in 1993 as the National Sales Manager, Diane was promoted to the General Sales Manager position in 1996. Diane reconstructed the sales and traffic departments to maximize inventory and client relations. She launched the installation of a new traffic system within all the LIN Television stations and established the market's leading sales team. Accomplishing increased revenue, Diane then turned her attention to establishing a Special Projects Director to effectively plan WOOD TV8's involvement in events such as Angel Tree, the West Michigan Grand Prix and the Foremost Championship to build and strengthen WOOD TV8's commitment of community service. In June of 1999, Diane was named President and General Manager. Since that time, Diane has overseen the development and launch of WXSP, the West Michigan UPN affiliate. She has developed strategic partnerships with the local newspapers, built the strongest on-air team in the market and overseen the successful operation of three local television stations; WOOD TV8, WOTV and WXSP. Diane is also an active member in the industry and community as a member of TARPAC (Television and Radio Political Action Committee), the regional chapter of American Women in Radio and Television, TVB (Television Bureau) and Junior Achievement.

Vice Chairman/Chairman Elect Tom Mogush, WMQT-FM, WZAM-AM, Ishpeming Mogush is currently the general manager of WMQT-FM and WZAM-AM in Marquette. Mogush contributed 15 years to broadcasting Northern Michigan University Hockey on WMQT, including the 1991 NCAA National Champion team. Mogush also serves as president of the Upper Peninsula Radio Broadcast Alliance, serves on the Lake Superior Community Partnership Board of Directors, and was a contributing author of the Roy Williams book "Accidental Magic." Mogush is a 1981 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Speech Communications/Broadcasting degree.

Secretary/Treasurer Michael King, WILX-TV, Lansing Mike is a 1985 graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelors degree in Telecommunications. He worked as an account executive for WLAV AM/FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1985-1989. In May of 1989 he made the move to television at WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was promoted to National/Regional Sales Manager in 1993, then Local Sales Manager in 1995 and finally General Sales Manager in 1997. In January 1999 he was named Vice President/General Manager of WLAJ-TV in Lansing, Michigan. After nearly two years he was named Vice President/General Manager of Benedek Broadcasting's WILX-TV in November 2000 (currently Gray Television Group) also in Lansing. Mike is actively involved in the community serving several business and charitable organizations including the Capital Area Michigan Works, Workforce Development Board; Board of Directors, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; Media Board member for the State of Michigan Ready to Succeed initiative; Board of Directors, Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross; Board of Directors, Ele's Place center for grieving children; and finally Board of Directors for the Sparrow Hospital Foundation.

Immediate Past Chairman Bart Brandmiller, Clear Channel Radio, West Michigan. Bart Brandmiller is Vice President and General Sales Manager of Clear Channel Radio's 5 station cluster (WMUS AM/FM, WMHG AM, WMRR FM, WSHZ FM) in Muskegon, Michigan. Prior to joining Clear Channel, from February 1984 to December 2002, Bart was President and General Manager of Michigan Media. Inc. (WBBL AM, WKLQ FM, WLAV FM, WODJ FM) and Vice President and General Manager of Citadel Radio Corp., both of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He served in sales and sales management in Lima, Ohio and Indianapolis and South Bend, Indiana. Mr. Brandmiller has served as President of the Grand Rapids Area Broadcasters Association and is a board member of YMCA Camp Manitou-lin.

At-Large Duane Alverson, MacDonald Broadcasting Co. Duane Alveron has spent his entire broadcast career working in various leadership capacities at MacDonald Broadcasting Company. After a three-year stint as General Manager of MacDonald Broadcasting Company's Muzak franchise, Duane's actual broadcast career began in 1985 as Local Sales Manager for country powerhouse WKCQ-FM. A few years later he became General Sales Manager for the Saginaw property and then served for five years as VP of Sales prior to being named President in 2004. Duane will be starting his 23rd year with MacDonald Broadcasting Company in July 2005. Prior to his career in the broadcast industry, Duane spent twelve years in a the carbide cutting tool industry working for Rico Tool Co. in Bridgeport, Michigan. Duane served as the 58th President of the Michigan Jaycees in 1981-1982 and has served at various non-profit organizations. Duane currently serves as Vice President of St. John Lutheran Church in Saginaw.

President/CEO Karole L. White, Michigan Association of Broadcasters Karole White is President/CEO of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Service Corp, Inc and the Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters. When Ms. White arrived at the MAB 20 years ago, the organization had a part time executive director a few boxes of files and about $150,000 dollars in the bank. The membership was only at about 50 % of potential. With the help of very positive board members,. Ms White grew the MAB to become one of the most respected trade associations in the state and among the best state broadcaster associations in the nation.. MAB now has a membership penetration of 89%. Prior to joining the MAB, Ms. White was the Executive Vice President Director for the Michigan Floral Association, the Executive Director of the MFA Health Insurance Trust, the managing director of MFA Federal Credit Union and President, Executive Director MAB Floral Service  Inc. White has been in Association Management in the Greater Lansing area for over 30 years. She has served in executive positions with the Michigan Funeral Directors Association, United States Cheerleaders Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association and was a partner  in  BKM Advertising and Display Company. Ms. White received her broadcasting back ground through advertising as Marketing Director for Forbes Cohen Properties in Lansing and as Telethon Manager for MDA.  She has been honored with numerous awards, including most recently induction into the Michigan Society of Association Executives Hall of Fame and the Citizen's Medal of Honor from the National Guard. A life time learner, Ms. White attended Lansing Business University, Lansing Community College and Michigan State University.

Directors

Al Blinke, WNEM-TV, Saginaw Al Blinke is the Vice President and General Manager of WNEM-TV5 in Saginaw. Blinke has spent over 30 years in the broadcasting industry in both radio and television. His previous experience includes work as the News Director at KDKA-TV/WNPA-TV in Pittsburgh, PA and as a television consultant for Frank N. Magid Associates in Iowa. Blinke has also served as News Director at WSB-TV in Atlanta, GA, and WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh. He began his career as a reporter in Flint. Blinke graduated from Specs Howard and is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit.

Trey Fabacher, WWJ-TV/WKBD-TV, Detroit Trey Fabacher is Vice President and General Manager of two CBS O&O television stations in Detroit, WWJTV (CBS) and WKBD-TV (CW50). He has been in broadcast management for 14 years, and got his start in the business as a radio disc jockey in his home state of Louisiana over 25 years ago. Trey joined the CBS Television Stations Group in 2003 as Station Manager at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis. He has also served for CBS as the VP/GM for KSTW-TV (CW) in Seattle. Before joining CBS, Trey was General Sales Manager for KSTP-TV (ABC) in Minneapolis, the Hubbard Broadcasting flagship station. Trey has worked in Detroit before when he was Local Sales Manager for WDWB-TV20 (WB) in 1997-98. Prior to his first stay in Detroit, he served for four years in various sales manager roles at WFTC-TV (FOX), the largest Clear Channel property at the time. Before joining the management ranks, Trey was an account executive for Blair Television in Minneapolis and Chicago. Trey served for seven years on the NATAS Board of Governors in various markets, serving for three of those years as Vice President and Sponsorship Chairman for the Upper Midwest Chapter. He has also been a representative on several network affiliate and sales traffic system advisory boards. Trey received a B.S. in Communications with high honors from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a major in Broadcast Sales and Management. After those early disc jockey days, Trey stayed active in the industry while earning his degree. While in college, Trey worked in research at WATE-TV (ABC) in Knoxville. He also helped establish a broadcast honor society chapter (AERho) at UT and served as its first President and Regional Director. Trey was also selected by the IRTS as one of the top Broadcasting students in the nation and received a fellowship in the sales pricing and planning area at NBC in New York City in 1988.

Paul Grzebik, Axcera Paul Grzebik is Regional Sales Manager of the central states area for Axcera (formerly ITS Corporation). Previously, as president of RF Systems, Inc, he was an ITS Corporation representative since 1988. During his 38 year career in the broadcast industry, Paul held engineering management positions with several Detroit radio stations. At WDET-FM, he installed new transmission and studio facilities as well as the Detroit Symphony recording facility in the Ford Auditorium. Later he joined Golden West Broadcasters at WTWR, building new transmitter and studio facilities in Detroit's Renaissance Center. During a period of service with Outlet Broadcasting at WQRS-FM, he built a multi-station FM transmitter site in Oak Park, Michigan and implemented the first known, digital audio, multi-hop, television ENG microwave remote. Paul is a member and twice past Chairman of the Southeast Michigan Chapter of the SBE, member and past manager of the Detroit Section of the SMPTE, holds a lifetime FCC General Class Radiotelephone License and FCC Extra Class Amateur Radio License.

Debbie Kenyon, CBS Radio, Detroit Debbie Kenyon started her radio career in 1990. She has had diverse roles at different stations throughout the market including National Sales Manager for WOMC, Director of Sales for all CBS Radio’s local stations, Vice President and General Manager of WYCD-FM and WVMV-FM, and currently Vice President and Market Manager of CBS Radio Detroit. Debbie once had plans to become a Wall Street broker, instead she followed in her father’s footsteps and chose a media career – her father George Kenyon, now retired worked in television advertising sales for WJBK-TV. Debbie was chosen one of Crain’s Detroit Business’s 40 Under-40 honorees for 2005, as well as, Crain’s Detroit Business’s Most Influential Women in 2007. She is currently on the board for Campfire USA and Detroit Radio Advertising Group, she has a Bachelor’s Degree and Finance Degree from Western Michigan University. Debbie is married and the mother of 3 beautiful children, one boy and two girls. Debbie’s long-term goal is to become a regional manager.

Bill Kring, WWTV/WWUP/ WFQX/WFUP-TV, Cadillac/Traverse City Bill has been the Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer for MICI, Inc. a diversified company with interests in small market television, real estate and mobile home communities since 1988. In his current capacity, he is also the General Manager of WWTV/WWUP-TV, the CBS affiliate in Traverse City, Michigan. Prior to 1988, he was a CPA with a national accounting firm. Bill has served on several committees for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and local organizations and is a graduate of Central Michigan University.

James Lutton, WWMT, Kalamazoo James Lutton has spent his entire 34 year career in television and syndication. In December of 2006 he was named as the Vice President and General Manager of WWMT-TV and the CW7 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Previously he served eight years as Vice President and General Manager of WSTM (NBC)/WSTQ (CW) in Syracuse, N.Y. WSTM-TV was a top billing station and was the “most watched” station for the last five years of Lutton’s tenure. He spearheaded the acquisition of WSTQ-TV, the CW affiliate, in 2003. He also has extensive experience in programming, program development and news. He has held positions at the following stations: KPIX-TV in San Francisco, WFSB-TV in Hartford, Conn., WBBM-TV in Chicago, Ill. and WCVB-TV in Boston, Mass. Lutton holds a master of arts degree in Broadcasting and Film from Boston University and a bachelor of arts degree in English from Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

Gayle Olson, Mid-West Family Broadcasting Group Gayle Olsen is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. Gayle worked for WIZM-AM in La Crosse, WI, WMAY-AM in Springfield, IL, WSJM-AM and WIRX-FM in Benton Harbor before he became the President and General Manager of Mid-West Family Broadcasting of Southwest Michigan in 1995. Mid-West Family Broadcasting, is a family of companies which includes 'clusters' of radio stations in Madison, WI; La Crosse, WI; Springfield, IL; Springfield, MO; and Southwest Michigan. Olson serves on the operating Board of Directors and has been a Mid-West Family Group shareholder since 1979. He is a member of various community boards and organizations and is a Senior Active Member of the Rotary Club. His special community commitment for more than 20 years has been as Entertainment Chair of the Venetian Festival on the St. Joseph River. This summer celebration on the Lake Michigan waterfront draws more than 100,000 persons and features a weekend of 'name' entertainment, fireworks, food and family fun.

Bob Peters, WCZY-FM / WMMI-AM, Mount Pleasant Bob Peters is General Sales Manager of WCZY-WMMI in Mt. Pleasant. His broadcasting career began in 1984 after graduating from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. His first stop was at Metro Traffic Control in Detroit before spending the next first four years as an announcer in northern Michigan at WGRY Grayling and at WJGS/WMKM Houghton Lake before moving into sales in 1989 at WKLT Traverse City. He also served as an Account Executive at WKQZ Saginaw. Since that time Bob has held management positions at WKHQ Charlevoix, WCEN Mt. Pleasant, WABJ/WQTE/WMXE Adrian. He then returned to Mt. Pleasant in 2001 to manage WCFX. Bob is an active member of the Mt. Pleasant community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce and the Isabella-Clare Chapter of the American Red Cross Fund Developmental Committee.

Ken Radant, WBCH-AM/FM, Hastings Ken Radant is President and General Manager of WBCH AM & FM in Hastings. His radio career started in 1953 when he began, while a senior in high school, as a weekend disc jockey at WOAP in Owosso, a job he continued during college at Alma and transferring to Michigan State University where he graduated in 1958.Radant moved to Hastings in 1958 and accepted an air and news position at WBCH, Hastings. He was elevated to the position of Manager of WBCH in 1960. He and his wife later bought the station and he has remained there for 49 years. In 1968 Ken was elected to the Barry County Board of Commissioners and was re-elected for seven consecutive two-year terms, serving as Chairman for three terms before retiring from the Board. He was promptly appointed by Gov. Milliken and reappointed by Gov. Blanchard as the state appointee to the Barry County Social Services Board. He also served on that body for 14 years. A community activist, Radant served on many local committees and organizations, including President of the Barry County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of Directors of that organization for nearly 40 years.

Jill Saarela, WPBN/WTOM-TV, Traverse City Jill Saarela is the Vice President, General Manager of WPBN/WTOM-TV in Traverse City Michigan. She moved back to Northern Michigan in October 2007 after being away for 5 years in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to that she was the General Sales Manager for WPBN/WTOM-TV. Her goal was to return to Traverse City in the GM capacity. She has worked in New York, Chicago (twice), Detroit (twice), and is extremely happy to be back in Traverse City and hopes this will be home for many years. This also puts her closer to her family that still reside in the Detroit area. She enjoys golfing, travel, dining with good friends and family, wine, boating, swimming, cooking, gardening and most of all, laughter and her dogs.

Bob Sliva, WXYZ-TV / ABC, Detroit Bob was named VP/General Manager at WXYZ-TV, the ABC affiliate serving the Detroit television market, in November of 2007. Bob returned to the station after spending the preceding seven years in the position of VP/Director of Sales for the Scripps Television Group. Scripps is the parent company of WXYZ-TV; Bob was primarily responsible for overseeing advertising sales at the ten company owned television stations. Prior to joining the corporate staff, Bob was General Sales Manager at WXYZ-TV from 1993-2001 and the station’s National Sales Manager from 1987-1993. Bob began his advertising career as a media administrator and later media buyer at Ross Roy Advertising in Detroit, Michigan. He moved on to media sales at HR Television and then later at Blair Television where he was VP/Sales Manager of the Detroit office. Bob is currently a board member for the Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) and also for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Bob graduated from Michigan State University and resides with his wife Sandy in Rochester Hills.

Rob Striker, WTWR-FM, Monroe Rob Striker was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in 1984, Striker went to work as a News Anchor and announcer for WPAG-AM/FM in Ann Arbor, eventually working his way into sales. In 1986, Rob returned to his hometown of Detroit to take a position with CKLW AM/FM, where he eventually was appointed as General Sales Manager of the CKLW U.S. Sales Division. After a year and a half in Sales at WOMC-FM in Detroit, Striker took the Director of Sales position with WWWM-AM/FM in Toledo, Ohio, returning to Detroit in 1993 as General Sales Manager of WYCD-FM “Young Country” until 1996 when he became the VP/General Manager of WWBR-FM “The Bear” in Detroit, where he launched the “Ted Nugent” radio show, which aired at 102.7FM until the station was sold to Radio One. In 2001 and 2002, Rob was the Director of Sales for WJLB-FM and WMXD-FM for Clear Channel/Detroit, and he spent 2003-2004 as Vice President/General Manager of KCHZ-FM and KMJK-FM in Kansas City for Syndicated Communications of Silver Springs, MD, eventually selling those properties to Cumulus Broadcasting in 2004. Currently, Rob is the General Manager for Cumulus Media, including WTWR-FM in Monroe, Michigan. In 2006, Rob was awarded Radio and Records Magazines’ “Market Manager of the Year” award. Some trivia: Rob Striker is the grandson of Fran H. Striker, creator and writer of The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet radio shows which aired on WXYZ Detroit in the 30’, 40’s and 50’s.

Chris Warren, Midwestern Broadcasting Company Chris Warren is a board member and Corporate Controller of Midwestern Broadcasting Company, a parent company to 10 Northern Michigan AM and FM Radio Stations. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with an accounting degree. In 1992, he began working in Midwestern Broadcasting’s accounting department, and has been there ever since. Chris also serves on the Board of The Les and Anne Biederman Foundation, founded to provide financial support to worthy Northern Michigan causes, and the Board of The Children’s House Montessori School in Traverse City.

Honorary Members

Ed Christian, Saga Communications 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.

Alan Frank, Post-Newsweek Stations Prior to being elected President of Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc, Alan Frank spent 12 years at WDIV-TV. As Vice President and General Manager, Frank strengthened the station's local reputation by successfully securing the rights to broadcast Detroit's most visible annual events, including the International North American Auto Show, the Grand Prix Parties, the International Freedom Festival and beginning in 1990, the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Frank also strenthened the reputation of WDIV's news operation by insituting the "24-Hour Newsbeat," live, around the clock news and weather updates airing every hour and half hour. Frank was responsible for assembling WDIV's sports production unit which included a client list comprised of the Detroit Tigers, PASS, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, the NBA, NHL, NFL, General Motors and the Ford Motor Company. Frank joind WDIV in 1979 as program manager and was promoted to director of programming and audience development in 1981. He was named vice president of programming and audience development in 1984 and became vice president of programming and production for Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc, WDIV's parent company, in 1986. He was elected president of Post-Newsweek Stations in January 2000.

Bruce Goldsen, Jackson Radio Works Goldsen graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Communications Arts from Western Connecticut State University. He has worked as Program Director at WIVY-FM, Jacksonville Flordia; WTFM, Kingsport, Tennessee; and WINE, Danbury, Connecticut. Bruce worked with Friends Communications from 1990 until he purchased WCFX, Mt. Pleasant in June of 2000. Goldsen and his wife/partner Sue own Goldsen Broadcasting Company. Goldsen is active in his community and has served on the board of directors and as campaign co-chair for the Lenawee United Way. He was the chairman of the Lenawee County WalkAmerica for the March of Dimes. Goldsen and his family are active Rotarians and Bruce served on the Adrian Rotary Club board of directors in 1996-98. Goldsen served as President of the MAB Board of Directors in 1998, after serving as director for approximately 5 years.

About the MAB/Board of Directors, MAB Past Presidents & Chairmen,
History of Broadcasting in Michigan