Month: January 2023

Mike Wenglar

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence, Previous Winners.

2016 George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence

(Published August 2016)

TAB’s 2016 George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence honors one of the hardest working engineers in Texas broadcasting – in both Television and Radio…and photography!

Like many broadcasters, Mike Wenglar’s interest in all things electronic and the world of broadcasting began early in his life.

Mike Wenglar

He was born and raised in El Campo and during his sophomore year of high school began working at KULP-AM 1390 doing a show called “Mike’s Corner.”

In addition to his duties at KULP, he worked part-time as a police officer and crime/accident scene photographer for the El Campo Police Department.

After high school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Biloxi, Miss. He continued to do his radio show via tape until he was sent to a base in Germany.

After leaving the Air Force, Wenglar returned to El Campo and began working with his father’s plumbing business. A friend told him about a new television station coming to Austin.

He applied as an engineer/technician at KVUE-TV (even though it would pay less than his plumbing job) and in 1971, he helped sign the station on the air. After only four months, he was named chief engineer, a position he held until being named vice president/chief engineer in 1989.

Mike Wenglar first crossed paths with George Marti in the 1970s. Working on the weekends for an RF testing and integration company, Wenglar would accompany the owner (Bob Williams) to do studio and transmitter installations, drafting, RF measurement and other technical tasks.

Wenglar said the highlight of his job was to take the testing equipment up north to Cleburne – to the Marti RPU factory.

Throughout the day, Wenglar would do FCC-type acceptance testing on Marti’s new transmitter inventions.

Marti’s radios never failed the required tests leading Wenglar to say, “Cleburne is a nice little town with one brilliant man!”

In 1993, Gannett Broadcasting awarded him their most prestigious engineering award for his outstanding contributions to KVUE-TV’s success.

In 1998, Wenglar saw a need for a task-specific IFB telephone after seeing news departments and other remote crews use a touchpad telephone with a concoction of adapters and transformers to give the field talent an earpiece for IFB. He knew there HAD to be a better way,

Wenglar developed the belt-pack worn QTEL IFB phone, a small box the size of a portable two-way radio. It quickly became popular with TV stations, networks and uplink operators all over the world.

He also saw a need for a battery-powered stereo VU meter with a stereo phase display. This unit, known as the “FieldVU,” became a popular device for field news and satellite truck operators to troubleshoot analog audio problems in the field.

In 2009, Wenglar constructed a streaming video box for doing live remotes instead of using ENG vans for spot news coverage.

The hardware was really not ready for prime time, but this two cellular card system worked as long as there was not too much cellular traffic at the location.

The unit was used to cover severe weather with large hail in northwest Austin, as well as the Echelon building plane crash in February 2010. KVUE-TV was first on the scene with this instant video streaming of the crash aftermath.

Station news crews still call the unit “The Wenglar Box.”

Today, this technology is almost used more than live ENG/SNG units.

In 2006, KVUE-TV honored Wenglar with an award for 35 years of outstanding work.

“Throughout his years of service, Mike has been instrumental in creating and maintaining one of the most respected television stations in the state of Texas. I affectionately called him ‘the backbone’ of KVUE-TV,” said Patti C. Smith, former KVUE-TV president and general manager.

Wenglar retired from the station in April 2016 after 45 years.

Throughout his career, Wenglar has been a tireless volunteer for the TAB – everything from helping with construction of the TAB building, assisting with the state EAS Plan and serving as the official photographer for TAB events.

In 1999, TAB awarded Wenglar with a Special President’s Award for his tireless dedication and volunteer efforts.

Broadcasters presented him with the Pioneer of the Year Award in 2011.

In 2000, Wenglar had the opportunity to purchase KULP, his hometown radio station. His goal was to keep it the same as he remembered it.

The station still features the popular polka-time, swap-shop and local sports programming – three staples of small town radio.

In 2011, Wharton County proclaimed November 20 as “Mike Wenglar Day.”

His passion for KULP and his eye to detail and engineering excellence has created a facility that would be the envy of most broadcasters.

His managing partner, Stephen Zetsche, handles the day-to-day business of the station.

One KULP alum from Houston asked Zetsche, “You have better equipment than we do – and we’re a big company? How do you do it?”

Zetsche replied, “It’s easy. I have Mike Wenglar!”

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Harry Thielemann, Jr.

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence, Previous Winners.

2015 George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence

(Published August 2015)

Without engineers, there simply would be no broadcast.

And for many in South Texas, there is no engineer like Harry Thielemann, Jr. – widely known and respected as the Dean of the broadcast engineering community in the southern reaches of the state.

Harry Thielemann

While much of Thielemann’s 46-year career in the broadcast industry has been based in the Rio Grande Valley, he got his start far from there at the Delaware Technical and Community College and the University of Delaware.

His first job in 1969 at WBOC AM-FM-TV in Salisbury, MD, proved fertile ground for mastering new technologies as he led the TV station’s conversion to color and was one of the first to introduce FM radio in the region. He also set up “DJ-assist” systems, the forerunner of today’s automated studios.

In 1983, he was promoted to Chief Engineer when Draper Communications purchased the stations. Draper acquired KGBT-TV Harlingen in 1990 and Thielemann transferred to South Texas with the company where he was introduced to his first VHF facility. He quickly began modernizing the operations with TV stereo audio and eventually led the station’s DTV transition.

In 2006, he accepted the position of Chief Engineer for Entravision Communications in South Texas, then led by Sonny Cavazos. He has since dedicated himself to sustaining and improving the group’s radio and television operations on both sides of the southern tip of the Texas-Mexico border.

This cluster of four FM stations and two full-power and four low-power TV stations – all under one roof – represents one of the largest broadcast operations anywhere in the country.

The responsibility of maintaining and troubleshooting the infrastructure is immense and Thielemann relies on creativity and teamwork to ensure the group’s overall community service mission succeeds.

Despite the heavy weight of this responsibility, Thielemann routinely lends his expertise to other broadcast operations in the market in the interest of furthering the broadcast engineering expertise in the area and advancing the industry’s service to one of the poorest regions of the state.

His dedication to education and innovation doesn’t stop there, as more than a few equipment vendors have learned when he modified their products to overcome glitches and integrate them with other products.

One such project involved protecting equipment from lightning damage. A suite of systems routinely experienced problems with lightning and, after meeting with heavy resistance from the manufacturer, Thielemann made several modifications that averted additional failures.

Six months later he received calls from the equipment salesman asking about the status of their equipment. It was operating flawlessly.

When Thielemann learned that all the vendor’s installations had a problem with lightning he agreed to assist them and saved their product.

With all the stations and six network affiliations, Thielemann cites as one of his biggest challenges the rate at which technology changes.

Being a lifelong learner, the short lifespan of new equipment poses as much excitement as frustration.

“Live news programming must be delivered with flawless execution. The latest tools, lighting and cameras are items most viewers never see, but allow the teams to succeed in a competitive news landscape where ratings influence substantial revenues,” said Christopher Moncayo, Entravision SVP.

“Harry’s ability to address any issue is a talent and quality that comes with experience.”

Thielemann’s passion for taking the stations into the future extends to finding the next generation of broadcast engineers.

He routinely participates in job fairs and other employment programs to showcase the equipment and processes broadcast engineers use on a daily basis.

All his TV and radio stations are firmly entrenched in serving the community and he continues to be inspired by the fact that his engineering plays a key role in helping the stations do just that.

A strong advocate for TAB’s efforts on stations’ behalf, Thielemann serves as an industry ambassador of sorts as he models the best that broadcast engineering offers the local community.

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Jack Sellmeyer *

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence, Previous Winners.

2014 George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence

(Published August 2014)

Jack Sellmeyer passed away on November 2, 2023.

George Marti is a true Texas broadcasting pioneer and has taught, mentored and set the bar for generations of broadcast engineers in Texas and across the nation.

The first recipient of the George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence has enthusiastically followed in his footsteps.

Jack Sellmeyer

Jack Sellmeyer epitomizes engineering excellence.  

He’s one of the few engineers with experience in the broadcast equipment manufacturing environment, as station engineer and as a consulting engineer. 

Engineers say he “wrote the book” on many of the practices and procedures that they use today.

In addition, he pioneered the use of such techniques as moment-method modeling of AM directional antennas.

Sellmeyer was 15 years old when he started at KPBM as a summer relief guy in his hometown of Carlsbad, NM.

After an enormous amount of persuasion – aka “pestering” – of the chief engineer at Channel 6 in Carlsbad, Sellmeyer was finally hired. 

He wound up building the audio console and wiring all the audio gear.  He considered this an excellent opportunity to learn and spent his summers working full-time there.

In June 1956, Sellmeyer began doing “grunt work” for KAVE Carlsbad, but went on to various positions in the engineering department.

He spent several years in Las Cruces as chief engineer at KGRT.  In 1960, he oversaw the construction of a new on-air and production studio and installation of a new transmitter for a power increase to 5-kw plant from a 1-kw plant.

He also modified several “retired” land mobile VHF radios for use as “broadcast quality” remote pickup systems.  He designed and constructed a remote studio which would fit in a Corvair Greenbrier van.

The unit also was used on scene for promotions and operated in conjunction with the modified VHF land mobile remote pickup system.  It contributed a considerable amount of revenue to the station.

In 1964, Sellmeyer constructed a facility for KRWG at New Mexico A&M College. 

While completing his education at Arizona State University, as chief engineer of KRUS in Glendale, he built new facilities for the station.

Sellmeyer supported an overseas military communications program until January 1967.  He transferred into broadcast product support and traveled to radio stations using Collins equipment to assist in troubleshooting unusual problems and restoring operations of off-air stations.

In 1969, Sellmeyer went to work for Gates in Quincy, Illinois.  As a Senior Engineer in the FM Engineering Department, he developed the modulator and Automatic Frequency Control modules for the TE-1 Solid State FM Exciter to correct frequency stability problems.  Additionally, he worked on advanced development of high power FM amplifiers.

As Chief Engineer at WGAR Cleveland, Sellmeyer not only managed personnel, but also constructed transmitters, designed circuitry, prepared procurement documents, supervised construction of a new antenna system and oversaw construction of a new three studio plant.

After three years there, he returned to Collins Radio in Dallas as senior engineer and helped return the company to profitability.

In addition, he developed a series of three audio consoles for the radio market in the mid 1970s.  He’s the co-inventor of the patented automatic modulation sensitivity control.  With his help, Collins garnered three patents. 

When Collins Radio closed its doors Sellmeyer decided to “hang out his shingle” with his own consulting firm in McKinney.

Like George Marti, Sellmeyer has been deeply involved in educational work to assist other engineers.  
He’s acted as a friend and mentor, always willing to share his vast array of knowledge to better serve the engineering community.

His ability to make complex issues easy for GMs, owners and others has made him active in educational work at many NAB technical seminars and workshops, especially in the area of AM directional antennas. 

He’s a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. 

The NAB honored Sellmeyer with their Radio Engineering Achievement Award in 2009 for a lifetime of work.
Sellmeyer always remembers the great advice he received from Bill Taylor, principal owner of KGRT in Las Cruces and KBIM Roswell.

Taylor’s theory he passed onto new employees: “Consider the business like a three-legged stool.  One leg is programming, one is sales and one leg is engineering. 

Without all three working at the same level, the stool is not level.  And if one of them is missing, it falls over.”

As a consulting engineer, Jack Sellmeyer makes sure the engineering leg of the stool always stands strong.

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Sarah Frazier

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Broadcaster of the Year, Previous Winners.

2022 Broadcaster of the Year

(Published August 2022)

It’s not much of a stretch at all to say that no one loves broadcasting more than Sarah Frazier.

Sarah Frazier

From being a voice for the community to selling the partnerships – Sarah strives to showcase the power of Radio to her listeners in the Greater Houston area.

Equipped with a keen business mind and a full heart, Sarah led the crafting of an astoundingly successful 2021 Audacy business plan and exceeded ALL expectations – from revenue to expense control and cash flow.

She accomplished these goals with her ever present positive energy – even in the face of the ongoing pandemic impacting her team, their families, audiences and advertisers.

At the same time, Sarah re-engineered her leadership team to smartly maximize performance within a challenging hybrid work environment.

Her focus and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is matched by few others.

She has always worked to empower women and show them they deserve a spot at the corporate media table.

Her innovative thinking has ensured Audacy Houston a prominent presence in the market over the last 10 years.

She continues to be extremely engaged with the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation and many other groups – including serving as TAB Board Chair in 2019 and many additional years as a director.

Not surprisingly, Sarah has proved to be a dynamic and effective advocate for Texas broadcasters in DC and in Austin.

She has made the industry’s case to Congress opposing a Performance Tax on Radio stations and helped lawmakers understand the increasingly unfair advertising competition we’re facing from Big Tech.

Her enthusiasm for public service informs her passion for Open Government and for broadcasters’ leading role as the backbone of the nation’s emergency communications system.

In times of crisis, she has endeavored to ensure her stations were doing whatever was necessary to keep the community informed – yes, even partnering with other stations to provide listeners wall-to-wall reporting on dangerous conditions.

And her operation is a national model for stepping up to help the Houston community recover from a disaster or celebrate a milestone!

Always leading, Sarah’s stations have routinely been one of the strongest supporters of TAB’s Public Education Partnership program throughout her tenure, extending TAB’s ability to provide invaluable services to member stations across the state.

“I couldn’t be more fortunate to have Sarah lead one of Audacy’s key strategic markets that I oversee as Regional President,” said Audacy’s Brian Purdy.

“I trust her ability to exceed financial targets and lead a culture of growth and ever-present transformation. She truly embodies our Audacy company values of Community, Curiosity, Courage and Creativity.”

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Marty Wind

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Broadcaster of the Year, Previous Winners.

2021 Broadcaster of the Year

(Published August 2021)

In the world of broadcasting, there are individuals who can do it all…kind of like a “one size fits all.”

Marty Wind is one of those rare individuals.

Marty Wind

He an excellent engineer, announcer, fundraiser, programmer, copy writer, newsman, public relations manager, general manager…you can just keep adding things.

In 1983, the Diocesan Telecommunications Corporation, a subsidiary of the Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi, decided to apply for a non-profit radio license and their first move was to hire Marty Wind to assist in the application.

When the FCC approved their application, they hired Wind to be their “one-man band.” He began the engineering process and in March 1985, KLUX-FM 89.5 went on the air.

But before they flipped on the transmitter, Wind had to devise a programming format – no easy chore.

How do you take a faith-based radio station, licensed to the Catholic Church, and make it a mainstream station that could be enjoyed by all? Wind did it and called it “Good Company.”

They can’t sell commercials – so much of their existence depends on fundraising from the public.

It all began with one paid employee and today, 36 years later, they have ballooned up to five full time and one part-time paid employee.

“Marty Wind has always been a master at getting something for nothing,” said former TAB Chairman Bob White.

“He has a group of 20+ volunteers, myself included, who assist in the fundraisers, read public service announcements and many other things.

“And just so you know, KLUX 89.5, “Good Company,” is a highly rated station, especially with 35+ and has a TSL that will make your eyes water.”

Wind introduced digital radio broadcasting to the Coastal Bend area in 2006 and today, non-commercial station KLUX is a market leader in public service with a long list of achievements highlighted by courageous endeavors to remain on the air during hurricanes and the disastrous 2021 freeze.

KLUX was the only radio station to broadcast hourly reports consistently, 24 hours a day, during all these emergencies.

“Marty’s heartfelt commitment to fellow broadcasters and listeners is unmatched. He has programmed KLUX to be the gold standard in ‘positive’ radio,” White said.

“The commercials they aren’t allowed to broadcast are replaced by announcements regarding area events and positive messages that make you feel good about living in a world that is so filled with dissent and anger.

“That’s why he calls it ‘Good Company.’”

Wind retired on May 31, 2021 but says he’ll always be available for station needs, even as he keeps up with all his additional volunteer commitments and work for the Diocese.

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Tania Moody

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Broadcaster of the Year, Previous Winners.

2019 Radio Broadcaster of the Year

(Published August 2019)

TAB presented the inaugural Broadcaster of the Year Award in 1986.

In 33 years, only six women have received the honor.

Tania Moody

“The 2019 Radio Broadcaster of the Year is not only an example to enterprising young broadcasters – men and women alike – she is an inspiration to us all as the SOLE owner of her hometown station – KLVT-AM Levelland,” said TAB Chairman Sarah Frazier

Tania Moody started in broadcasting in 2006 as a rookie sales rep for the High Plains Radio Network.

She had no broadcast experience, but she took the opportunity and ran with it.

In two years, she advanced to sales manager and became the station manager in 2010.

She started her own LMA in 2012 and went into business for herself – purchasing KLVT-AM just one year later.

In just three short years, Moody’s Cute Boots Broadcasting had paid for the station.

“Here’s someone with no industry interest (other than needing a job), who took an opening and turned it into an opportunity to own and operate a successful business…and it happens to be in our broadcast Industry,” said Monte Spearman, President High Plains Radio Network.

Moody not only manages her broadcast team of three, but also handles more than 50% of the sales for the station, performs day-to-day administrative duties and hosts/produces a very successful morning show.

Moody and her team recently launched the “Good Morning Texas Show” via Facebook Live and on a media streamer to the KLVT webpage.  The 90-minute program airs every Monday-Friday.

“I have been in the Radio business nearly 20 years and I have never worked for somebody as plugged in to her business, her community and her employees like Tania,” said Michael Wiiest, KLVT Station Manager/Sports Director.

“She is amazing in every way and truly embodies what Small Market Radio does for small communities. With her it is all about her listeners, her clients, and her community.”

Involvement in her community is an understatement.  

Moody serves as Board President of the Levelland ISD Board of Trustees and President of the Wallace Theater Foundation (in efforts to restore an old theater in downtown Levelland).

She also has served as President of the Hockley County Foundation, the Levelland Marigolds, Levelland Main Street Program, and has served on the Levelland Chamber of Commerce.

“Tania is a great example of a local business owner who is truly invested in their community. Her biggest asset is she’s an ACTIVE member of these organizations and giver her time and resources, whether or not she is in a leadership role,” said DeEtte Edens, Levelland ISD School Board.

“In this industry, we hire people constantly and hope they will learn the business, like the business and stay in the business.

“I will always argue that Small Market Radio is the hardest level there is to operate Radio stations to the point of not just paying the bills, but also being profitable and growing a real business,” Spearman said.

Through her accomplishments, business growth efforts, attitude, commitment to her station and community and her diligence – Tania Moody continues to be a shining example of what it means to be a local, Texas broadcaster.

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Eric Lassberg

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Broadcaster of the Year, Previous Winners.

2019 Television Broadcaster of the Year

(Published August 2019)

In his 13 years serving as Vice-President and General Manager of KXAN/KNVA/KBVO Austin, Eric Lassberg’s leadership and team building has raised the station to new heights.

He has established a culture that breeds excellence and inspires the staff to do their best each day, focused on a core purpose to inform and enrich the local community and make people’s lives better. 

Eric Lassberg

Lassberg’s passion for impactful local journalism is reflected in his support for growing the station’s investment in its newsroom, his appreciation for outstanding storytelling and his insistence that the station’s journalists be responsible, ethical and fair in their reporting.

Eight years ago, Lassberg laid out a vision for KXAN to become an impactful investigative news station, focusing on reporting that leads to positive change in our community.

Today, the station is consistently recognized for stories that help change laws, hold the powerful accountable and address public safety.

During the 2019 legislative session, more than a dozen bills were filed after KXAN investigations into problems such as maternal mortality and morbidity statewide, harassment in the workplace and toll drivers frustrated by exorbitant late fees and other vexing billing issues.

Under Lassberg’s leadership, KXAN has received numerous awards for journalism excellence. 

Among those awards are several Emmys, Texas Associated Press Broadcaster Awards (including the Freedom of Information Foundation Award), Headliners Foundation of Texas Awards, Edward R. Murrow Awards and an Alfred I. duPont Award from Columbia University.

In 2019, KXAN was awarded its third Walter Cronkite Award for Political Television Journalism for a special broadcast of political program, State of Texas, which focused on one long-form investigation into the Texas Railroad Commission Chairman and the conflicts of interest related to her politically prominent family.

Never one to be waylaid by adversity, Lassberg was moved to embrace the mission of the American Heart Association after the cardiac arrest of an employee, launching an initiative across all three stations known as Simple Health.

Lassberg utilized the stations’ multiple platforms to help provide Central Texans tools and resources to live healthier lives, particularly in advancing the AHA’s hands-only CPR training events which have trained more than 1,400 Central Texans.

His passion led to his selection as an AHA Board member and is reflected in his leadership on the TAB Board of Directors and his history of Board service for the Boys and Girls Club of the Austin Area and Family Elder Care.

He also is a member of the Longhorn Advisory Council. 

Lassberg is the ideal example of what a broadcaster may achieve through hard work, core principals and a true belief in what television stations may achieve within a community. 

His belief in investigative journalism and community involvement makes the KXAN team proud to work for him, though he is the first to credit the team for the stations’ accomplishments.

“All I’ve done is surround myself with a team of people who are a lot smarter than I am. That’s a recipe of success for anyone,” he said.

His reflexive recognition of his team’s insightful leadership and dedication has created a culture in which everyone truly feels they are part of something that can make Central Texas better each day.

By creating such a culture, Lassberg has crafted one of the most respected television stations in the country whose impact is felt throughout the Lone Star State.

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Susan McEldoon

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Broadcaster of the Year, Previous Winners.

2018 Broadcaster of the Year

(Published August 2018)

Susan McEldoon’s lifetime of dedication and preparation have come to distinguish her as TAB’s 2018 Broadcaster of the Year.

She joined KHOU-TV in 2004 as General Sales Manager and quickly moved up the ranks to become President/General Manager in 2007…the FIRST woman to hold that title at a Houston TV station.

Susan McEldoon

Under her leadership, the station has been recognized nationally with three of the most prestigious journalism awards in the country:

  • an Emmy for News Excellence,
  • the Alfred DuPont Columbia University Award for investigative reporting on TWO separate occasions, and
  • an Edward R. Murrow Award for Social Media.

In 2009, she was named Broadcasting & Cable’s General Manager of the Year in the large market category.

Her passion for the city of Houston, dedication to the station, and knack for creative problem-solving all came to bear in the past year as Houston and the station itself confronted one of the greatest natural disasters in the city’s history.

“I watched from our broadcast studios on the 19th floor as Hurricane Harvey’s rains swept over much of the city and inundated KHOU, and watched in real time as the the brave news team realized the station would be forced off the air,” said Sarah Frazier, General Manager of Entercom Radio Houston.

As if living proof that “chance favors the prepared mind,” McEldoon had worked months before the storm to plan for such an emergency.

She ensured her team had shelter and food, sleeping at the station for days…consoling and coaching those who had lost their own homes or cars.

In the days following the storm, she formed a partnership with Houston Public Media to temporarily relocate the station.  Now orchestrating operations across multiple sites in Houston and Dallas, she continues to work tirelessly to stabilize, restore and advance KHOU-TV’s commitment to the community.

Out of 47 Television stations in 39 markets across the country, TEGNA presented McEldoon with the company’s Manager of the Year Award in April.

She had been planning to retire at the end of 2017. But after the cascading impact of Harvey on her station’s operations, her heartfelt sense of obligation made her reconsider. Instead, she’s helping plan the station of the future at KHOU-TV’s new location.

“Since the day I rolled into Houston I have admired her,” Frazier said.

“She is a strong and confident business leader who serves as a model to her team, her fellow broadcasters and the people of Houston.”

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Brian Purdy

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Broadcaster of the Year, Previous Winners.

2017 Broadcaster of the Year

(Published August 2017)

With 35 years in broadcasting, CBS Radio Dallas-Fort Worth Senior Vice President/Market Manager Brian Purdy has always been focused on effective, strategic leadership.

He started leading the CBS Radio group in 2004 after serving as Clear Channel Dallas’ Vice President/Market Manager (2001-2003).

Brian Purdy

Purdy began his Texas broadcast career with Clear Channel Houston, serving in various management roles, including Market Manager, from 1996-2001.

He orchestrated one of his team’s most successful years in 2016.

Having spent three years re-imagining his products to better meet the needs of the marketplace, his portfolio of stations enjoyed three stations in the Top 10 Adults 25-54, which had never happened before.

Both the legendary Classic Hits KLUV and a re-tooled JACK-FM ranked in the market’s Top 5, while Sportstalk The Fan (KRLD-FM) beat heritage sports leader, The Ticket, for the first time in station history.

With additional ratings strength at legendary Newsradio KRLD-AM, CBS Radio’s 2016 revenue outperformed the DFW market tenfold and lead the company in financial performance.

Perhaps most importantly, they again hit their stride serving the DFW community, raising more than $1.26 million during their “Christmas is for Children” Radiothon this past December.

One hundred percent of the funds raised over the two-day period, support pediatric patient care at Dallas’ Children’s Health.

Radio Ink magazine recognized Purdy as one of the “Best Managers in Radio,” in 2016 and also was nominated for Market Manager of the Year by the Dallas-Fort Worth Media Alliance Awards.

Always looking to innovate, Purdy created a new model for sports play-by-play broadcast partnerships.

Following a 2006 departure of the Dallas Cowboys from CBS Radio, Purdy won the rights back in 2009 by creating a pioneering radio station/team agreement featuring an asset exchange instead of rights fees.

The new structure was the foundation for a symbiotic relationship that was cost-effective for both the team and radio station.

In 2011, Purdy brought the idea to Houston, which resulted in a 10-year extension with the Houston Texans on SportsRadio 610 and KILT-FM, converting it from one of the most expensive NFL radio broadcast contracts in the company to one of the most efficient.

Both franchise partnerships are extremely profitable for CBS Radio and are now being replicated across the NFL.

“Brian went above and beyond to develop a true partnership and not just a contract, that was fair to all concerned,” said Jamey Rootes, President of the Houston Texans.

“As our rights holder, Brian not only worked diligently with us to create world class programming that would inform, entertain and engage our fans, but he consistently maintained a positive spirit of collaboration between our two organizations that inspired trust and led to additional opportunities to create value for both us and the station.”

Purdy has spent the last 20+ years in Texas mentoring his staff, many who have become Senior Executives in their own right.

His network reaches throughout the state and beyond, and he is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the radio industry.

His management teams are built on merit, without bias of gender, ethnicity or lifestyle.

Purdy has served several terms on the TAB Board of Directors, taking the time for multiple trips to Austin and Washington DC to lobby on behalf of his fellow broadcasters.

He also commits significant time to local charities and is an Executive Board member of the Circle Ten Boy Scout Council of North Texas.

Following industry consolidation during the early 2000’s the Market Manager role changed dramatically.

However, with the additional responsibilities Purdy has continued to be visible and active outside the CBS Radio Tower in Dallas.

Well-known throughout the market, he’s often out selling and promoting radio and local broadcasting.

“The war is being fought on the ground every day in Dallas, and Brian is leading the charge. He also makes sure to fight to keep live and local on-air announcers, as he believes that is the cornerstone of a great broadcaster,” said TAB Treasurer Sarah Frazier, CBS Radio Houston.

“Brian knows the best way to advance our industry is to be a great broadcaster and use your products to serve the community well.”

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John Kittleman

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Broadcaster of the Year, Previous Winners.

2016 Broadcaster of the Year

(Published August 2016)

TAB’s Broadcaster of the Year award celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of a TAB member – with a focus on achievements in the past year.

Our 2016 honoree has expanded upon a tradition of excellence in journalism and community service with a novel and aggressive investment in news programming for the market’s unique audience.

John Kittleman

John Kittleman graduated from the University of Texas-Austin in 1983, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Radio-Television & Film.

He continued at UT to get his Master of Arts Radio-Television-Film and Master of Business Administration degrees. After a stint at the Financial News Network in Los Angeles, Kittleman joined KRGV-TV Rio Grande Valley as the marketing director in 1989.

e steadily rose through the ranks at the ABC affiliate, becoming general manager in 2008. Throughout his 27 years in the Rio Grande Valley, Kittleman has made a focus on the local community his number one priority.

The station has been recognized with a variety of National and RTDNA Regional Murrow Awards and Texas Associated Press Awards Broadcast, including most recently, the AP’s highest statewide broadcast honor, “Overall Excellence Award.” TAB also has honored KRGV-TV with numerous Bonner McLane Public Service awards.

KRGV-TV is a unique station. The station is a market leader in Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, where more than 90 percent of the population is of Hispanic origin, according to BIA/Kelsey.

At least a third of the homes in the market are Spanish-language dominant and many others receive a station signal from the Mexico side of the border.

In June 2015, KRGV-TV began providing live Spanish-language translation of all the station’s newscasts on viewers’ secondary audio channels.

Those watching “Channel 5 News” in English see no change, while viewers who wish to watch the newscast with Spanish audio can click on the SAP button on their remotes.

“The community told us they did not want a second newscast. They didn’t want it on a second channel or another time. They wanted our newscast when it airs, but with the translation,” Kittleman said.

“Once our viewers learn how to choose the SAP option on their TV, they have the choice of listening in English or Spanish.”
The station provides more than 39 hours/week of news.

“Mr. Kittleman is a manager who believes in his people, supports their efforts and helps them be all they can be as individuals and station leaders,” said News Director Jenny Martinez.

“He has foresight and curiosity. Thanks to him, we have an 18-member Spanish translation team. It’s the first of its kind in the country and just the beginning of what this team will one day accomplish!”

The station also recently launched a new series, “Heart of the Valley:” a station-wide initiative to use the power of KRGV-TV to make a positive change in the Rio Grande Valley.

The station aims to not only shine a light on critical issues but also offer solutions to community challenges.

The program goes in-depth to illuminate one critical issue, need, or cause, to help make positive changes in viewers’ lives by utilizing the station’s vaunted investigative news team, working hand-in-hand with local charities and airing public service announcements that deliver important messages.

KRGV undertakes the two week “Heart of the Valley” series four times a year. The first series focused on diabetes which has reached nearly epidemic proportions in the Rio Grande Valley.

HEB partnered with the station to offer free screenings and provide store tours led by certified dietitians. More than 7,000 people were tested for diabetes because of the project.

The news team produced 29 educational stories about the different types of diabetes, explaining how it starts and why.

They also explored juvenile diabetes and methods available to deal with it, and the consequences of failing to deal with it. 

KRGV-TV connected doctors and other experts with viewers on Facebook Live to give viewers the opportunity to ask questions.

Outside the station, Kittleman has served multiple terms on the TAB Board of Directors and consistently volunteers to accompany TAB’s legislative delegation on visits to DC.

He also works tirelessly with Nielsen to ensure the measurement system is valid, especially in minority-majority markets like the Rio Grande Valley.

“I’ve known John for more than 20 years and he’s always impressed me as someone who’s truly committed to the essential ethics and goals necessary to run a great and effective television station,” said Patti C. Smith, former TAB Chairman.

“His work speaks volumes and his staff can attest to his dedication to the community and to the principles we all hold dear within the broadcasting business.”

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