Author: Beth Bobbitt

Dr. Dennis Harp

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

2012 Educator of the Year

(Published August 2012)

The Texas Association of Broadcasters presents the Educator of the Year award to individuals who have significantly contributed to the success of the broadcast industry in Texas and whose personal and professional conduct sets a standard of excellence to be emulated.

Dennis Harp

Former students and colleagues consistently mention Dr. Harp as a role model and praise his innovation, creativity and true passion for the broadcast industry.

Dennis Harp, native of Gainesville, holds a bachelor’s degree in commercial art from Texas State University, a master’s degree with an emphasis in broadcasting and journalism minor, and a doctorate in educational technology with a journalism minor (Texas A&M Commerce).

During his early days in the industry, he hoped to follow in the footsteps of Pioneer Broadcasters Wendell Mayes, Jr. and Gordon McLendon.

Harp was a faculty member from 1973 to 2008 at Texas Tech’s College of Mass Communications, serving as director of its Telecommunications Division from 1973-1992, associate director of the School of Mass Communication from 1992-2003, and from 2004 until his retirement in 2008 as professor of electronic media and associate dean of faculty in the college.

In 1980, Harp acquired a large broadcast collection valued at $200,000 from Gordon McLendon.

In 1981, he was responsible for obtaining the “Life Line” broadcast collection from Melvin Munn.

He added the “Facts Forum” television series that was donated by Hunt Oil Company in 1985.

All these materials are housed at The Southwest Collection at Texas Tech.


In 1982 and 1984, Harp visited Eastern Europe on trips sponsored by the Romanian government to produce television features on anti-aging medical treatments, natural curative medicine associated with that country and the Dracula myth.

At Texas Tech, he produced 45 informational, promotional, and developmental video presentations for educational, health, and public organizations and foundations that were financed by grants or for-profit enterprises.

He co-produced a half-hour newscast three evenings a week on KTTZ-TV Lubbock from 2000-2004.

Harp’s instructional emphasis at Texas Tech was electronic media and media technology systems, including broadcasting, cable, corporate and online communication applications.
In 2010, he served six months as interim general manager of public television station KTTZ-TV, Channel 5 in Lubbock.

Through his career, Harp was a recipient of six innovative teaching awards and one research award.

He was twice named Mass Communicator of the Year by the College of Mass Communications for his contributions to the students, academic programs and community, and 2002 Teacher of the Year by the Texas Tech agricultural communications student ACT chapter.

He also received the 2003 Spencer Wells Creative Teaching Award from the Texas Tech Association of Parents.

In 2007, Harp joined Dr. Jerry Hudson to document the storied careers of more than 20 members of TAB’s Texas Pioneer Club.

The interviews are archived on Texas Tech’s website.

Harp was inducted into Texas Tech’s College of Mass Communications Hall of Fame in February 2009.

He has always believed that broadcasting is all about localism – and the more, the better.

For his students, Harp continuously stressed the need for experience in every aspect of a radio or TV station.

Even if the ultimate goal is to go into sales, a broadcaster should have a good on-air background so they can truly understand how the station operates.

Former student John Sparks remembers Harp’s patience and genuine concern for his students.

“Dr. Harp was the professor of my television production class and the industry has vastly changed since then,” said John Sparks, retired Communication Department Chair at South Plains College.

“One thing did not change – Dr. Harp’s sincere love for the industry and for his students. Having him for a professor was one of the true blessings of my life.”

Harp is former president of the Texas Educational Television Association; associate director of educational relations, International Television Association; and served a four-year appointed term on the public media panel for the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Harp also was a member of the Texas Broadcast Education Foundation board of directors for 10 years.

Today Harp serves on KTTZ-TV’s advisory board, The Lubbock Chorale board of directors and National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration advisory board.

Harp lives in Lubbock with his wife, Ellen, since retiring in 2008.

He is enjoying helping Ellen with her business – From the Garden – a market garden growing flowers, fruit, herbs and vegetables.

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Dr. Ed Glick

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

2010 Educator of the Year

(Published August 2010)

The Texas Association of Broadcasters presents the Educator of the Year award to individuals who have significantly contributed to the success of the broadcast industry in Texas and whose personal and professional conduct sets a standard of excellence to be emulated.

Ed Glick

Dr. Ed Glick is a Professor Emeritus at the University of North Texas.

Throughout his long career, Glick has always believed that broadcast stations should give opportunities to faculty members to work in stations so they can take their experiences back to the classroom.

Glick started his career as a French horn player. He always wanted to be a professional musician and never expected a career as a broadcast educator.

After serving in Europe in World War II, Glick returned home to Boston and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music at Boston University, later earning a Master’s in Music Literature from the University of Michigan.

His experience in music led him to positions in audio engineering, recording and radio broadcasting.

Because of his background in music and recording he was hired at WGBH-TV Boston as the sound production manager for the station’s film department.

After gaining experience in broadcast production, Glick started teaching radio and television courses first at the University of Florida, and then at Ohio University, Southern Methodist University and Wayne State University (Detroit).

Upon completing his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in Speech Communication (Radio-Television), Glick came to Texas as director of the Division of Radio/Television/Film at North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas).

He initiated a major overhaul of the division’s curriculum, which helped the division (later the Department of Radio, Television and Film) to grow and earn its current reputation as one of the highest rated programs of its kind in the United States.

When he came to UNT, there were two faculty members and 100 students.

He served as chair for the department for seven years and despite the lack of funds, equipment and facilities, he oversaw the development of the program.

He also served as director of radio in the early stages of the university’s radio station, KNTU-FM. Today, KNTU-FM is a 100,000 watt radio station that serves the entire Dallas-Fort Worth market.

Even while teaching future broadcasters, Glick also worked in the industry to keep current, hosting and producing 110 public affairs programs in the series “Alternatives” for KXAS-TV Dallas-Fort Worth.

He also hosted and produced two seasons of a similar series of public affairs shows for WFAA-TV Dallas-Fort Worth.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education recognized one of Glick’s shows about suicide for the prestigious Achievement Award in the category of Television Programs and Announcements.

To continue to keep current on the latest production techniques for his students, he served faculty internships at Tele-Image, Inc., one of Dallas’ premiere production/post-production houses, and WFAA-TV, working in many production positions.

Glick also produced a half-hour radio special distributed to radio stations across Texas featuring NTSU’s School of Music chorale groups.

The Broadcast Education Association elected him as a member of its Board of Directors for two consecutive two-year terms.

During his years at UNT, he was active in the Texas Association of Broadcast Educators, having been elected as vice president and then president of the organization. Glick was active in helping to record and preserve the history of broadcasting in Texas.

Among his publications are “The Life and Death of the Liberty Broadcasting System” and “WFAA-WBAP/570-820: Till Money Did Them Part.”

He was also awarded a first place in the “History Papers” competition by the Broadcast Education Association, for his article “A New Look at Estes v. Texas, 1987” which corrected many misconceptions about the landmark case which led to the prohibition of cameras in the courtroom for more than two decades. Ed Glick’s experience and research informed his teaching and inspired his students.

He was awarded “Outstanding faculty member, Division of Radio/Television/Film” at NTSU/UNT five times, named “Outstanding faculty member” by the NTSU International Student Association, and was honored as “Top Prof” three times by the NTSU chapter of Mortar Board, National Honor Society.

Having influenced several generations of broadcasters, educators, and media professionals, he is retired from teaching, but still available to former students for advice, support, and kind words.

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Dr. Gerald Haskins

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

2008 Educator of the Year

(Published August 2008)

The Texas Association of Broadcasters presents the Educator of the Year award to individuals who have significantly contributed to the success of the broadcast industry in Texas and whose personal and professional conduct sets a standard of excellence to be emulated.

Dr. Gerald Haskins is a former broadcaster and retired from teaching at Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2004.

Gerald Haskins

He has inspired countless students and made many positive contributions to broadcast education.

Haskins didn’t start off with plans to become a broadcaster.

He attended Indiana University, majoring in theatre. It wasn’t long before he realized a theatre degree wouldn’t bring home the big bucks, and he changed his major to communications.

After college he joined the Armed Forces and was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany.

A letter went out to all Air Force personnel looking for people interested in the Armed Forces Radio & Television Service. Haskins went in for the interview at headquarters.

The Captain told him to sit in a room with a microphone and read from a book.

A few minutes later the Captain’s voice came over the loud speaker and said, “OK, you’re hired.”

Two days later, Haskins received a special assignment to go to Zaragoza, Spain.

His first day on the job, the Sergeant told him “Go into the control room. Airman Smitty will break you in.”

Here were Smitty’s instructions…

“That’s a console…Here’s the control board…I’m going to get coffee.”

Smitty didn’t come back for four hours. It was a true baptism by fire, but Haskins figured it all out by the end of the day.

Haksins went back to school in 1966 on the GI Bill at Indiana State University and majored in Radio-Television.

In 1970, he was hired to direct the broadcast division at Madison College in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

He left teaching in 1974 to run an FM station in Harrisonburg.

At the time, most AM/FM combos were just simulcasting. Haskins took a risk and decided to turn the FM into a full stereo rock station.

The station ended up grossing $75,000 in the first year, which was a lot for a small market station in the 70’s.

Haskins got his Ph, D. in mass communication from Florida State University in 1978. He headed to Commerce, Texas in 1984.

Haskins became co-director of broadcasting at East Texas State University along with Dr. Robert Sanders.

He became actively involved in the Texas Association of Broadcast Educators and served as their Representative to the TAB Board for more than six years.

In addition to teaching, he managed KKOM, the campus radio station and hosted the local television public-affairs program “Talk of the Town” for 20 years.

He retired from full-time teaching in 2004. Since then, he and his wife purchased a house in Ingleside where they have been enjoying replacing the broadcast lifestyle with the bayside life.

TAB salutes Dr. Gerald Haskins for his years of inspired teaching, as well as his efforts to bring broadcasters and educators together.

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Dr. Augie Grant

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

2007 Educator of the Year

(Published August 2007)

The Texas Association of Broadcasters presents the Educator of the Year award to individuals who have significantly contributed to the success of the broadcast industry in Texas and whose personal and professional conduct sets a standard of excellence to be emulated.

Augie Grant

Dr. Augie Grant is a former broadcaster who now teaches at the University of South Carolina and conducts research on the telecommunications industry.

As a kid, Grant always loved radio. His mother once told him, “If you could get a job where you could get paid for talking you’d be rich!”

In the ninth grade Grant produced and hosted two TV shows for his school: “The Augie Grant Show” and “The New Augie Grant Show.”

He worked for various radio and TV stations while earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida. Grant did everything from part time DJ work at WDVH to production and booth announcements for WUFT-TV Gainesville.

After graduating in 1977, he went to work for the Florida Farm Bureau Radio Network announcing farm prices and hosting two consumer affairs shows.

Grant left radio for a short stint selling newspaper ads. Only two weeks into the job, the paper’s owner was arrested for robbing a bank.

It turns out the paper was entirely financed by bank robberies so Grant decided to stay away from newspapers and stick with broadcasting.

His work in radio, television, and corporate communications inspired him to return to the University of Florida to earn a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Grant moved to Los Angeles after graduation ready for his big break in television…but things didn’t go so well…

Six months passed and he decided he would rather be a broadcaster in Florida than a shoe salesman in Los Angeles.

Grant moved back to Florida in April 1982 for a job as a radio program director.

One year later, he took a teaching position at Sam Houston State University and got involved with the Texas Association of Broadcast Educators.

The appeal of a career in research eventually led to doctoral studies at the Annenberg School for Communications at the University of Southern California.

After completing his doctorate, Grant headed back to Texas to join the faculty at UT-Austin where he would spend the next nine years.

Grant served as the UT representative to TABE from 1989 through 1997.

During that time he served as President, Secretary, and Treasurer, as well as educational representative to the TAB Board of Directors.

Grant has become one of the most prominent academics working in the field of convergent journalism.

He is the executive editor of The Convergence Newsletter, chairing five national conferences on convergent journalism since 2002, and directing the Newsplex Summer Seminar program to train academics in convergent journalism.

Oxford University Press will publish two of his books on convergent journalism in the next year, a text book and an edited compilation of theoretical work.

Grant is best known as editor of Communication Technology Update, a semi-annual review of the latest developments in consumer electronics, telephony, electronic mass media and satellite technology.

The update, currently in its tenth edition, is produced in cooperation with Austin-based Technology Futures, Inc. It is used extensively in industry and has become one of the top-selling textbooks in the field of communication technology.

In 1997, Grant left Austin to found the Center for Mass Communication Research at the University of South Carolina. But Grant has never really left TAB…

He served on the TBEF Board of Directors for many years, spearheading fund-raising for new scholarships.

When Past TAB Chairman Tom Reiff died, Grant suggested a gala event to raise money for a scholarship in his name.

Thanks to his efforts and Texas broadcasters’ support, the foundation now awards eight annual scholarships.

Since 1994, Grant has been a consultant to the TAB, conducting a variety of research projects including the Annual Public Service Study.

He even traveled back to San Antonio in 2004 to testify on behalf of Texas broadcasters’ public service efforts at the FCC’s localism hearing.

TAB salutes Grant for his years of inspired teaching, as well as his efforts to bring broadcasters and educators together.

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Dan Sessler *

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

2017 Associate of the Year

(Published August 2017)

Over the years, TAB’s Annual Convention & Trade Show has become the largest state broadcast association event in the nation. None of this would be possible without support from Associate Members like Dan Sessler with RF Specialties.

dan Sessler

After his first radio engineering job in West Virginia, where he helped build his area’s local public television, in his “spare time,” Sessler started a company called Professional Electronics.

The company sold and installed fire and burglar alarms along with sound reinforcement systems for churches and outdoor events.

Following the sale of his company in the mid-1970s, Sessler moved into radio station ownership to became co-owner of the same AM/FM combo he helped build when he was in his early twenties. Sessler served as GM, GSM, Chief Engineer and as a pilot, reporting traffic over the city in the station’s aircraft.

He sold his interest in the stations in 1988 and moved to Florida to become the Regional Sales Manager for the Harris Corporation’s Radio Broadcast Products division.

In 1998, Sessler accepted a transfer to Texas to become Harris’ Regional Television Sale Manager for DTV products throughout a nine state region.

He has served on the TAB Board of Directors and consulted TAB President Ann Arnold – and the Board – on the construction of the TAB Building in Austin.

After 22 years with Harris (most of it on airplanes!) – and after the DTV conversion was over – Sessler joined the RF Specialties Group. He now has more than 40 years of broadcast industry experience – in both technology and sales.

RF Specialties has been a TAB Silver Star Associate Member since 1989 and they’ve participated in the convention for more than 30 years. Sessler has been the president/general manager for RF Specialties of Texas for nearly eight years.

He purchased the branch from 2006 TAB Associate of the Year Don Jones in 2011 and moved the company’s Texas office from Amarillo to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

For many years, RF has been a source for RF products such as AM/FM, TV and satellite transmitters, antennas, coaxial cable, and STL and RPU equipment.The company also features a complete range of studio products, such as audio consoles, microphones, amplifiers, speakers and digital audio editing and storage systems.

“Even though RF is kind of our competition – they have always done a great job taking care of their Texas customers,” said GBS’ Dan Giesler, 2016 TAB Associate of the Year.

Beginning with his time at Harris, Sessler has been a huge supporter of the TAB and the Texas broadcast engineering community.

Sessler is always one of the first companies to sign on as a TAB Convention Sponsor. His companies have co-sponsored TAB’s Walk-Around Lunch in the exhibit hall for many years.

Additionally, Sessler has been joining with GBS and several other TAB Associate Members to host an annual dinner for Texas engineers and their guests.

The dinner, held during the TAB Convention, has grown from just a handful of engineers to an event with nearly 200 attendees.

“The TAB Convention schedules many ‘Can’t Miss’ events, but on the first night of the convention you can find every Radio and TV engineer at the annual engineer’s dinner,” said TAB Chairman Ben Downs.

“What began as a modest event providing an opportunity to swap engineering war stories has grown so large that an entire restaurant has to be rented to accommodate the engineering talent that gathers for the Convention.”

Sessler and Giesler also partner with a handful of vendors and TAB Associate Members to host regional holiday gatherings across Texas. In 2016, they hosted 11 events in nine days, from Harlingen to El Paso and everywhere in between!

“TAB relies on the insight and leadership of our Associate Members to ensure the TAB Show and our year-round services address the key needs of our industry,” said TAB President Oscar Rodriguez.

“Dan Sessler ranks at the top of those Associates to whom TAB can credit much of our success.”

Dan Sessler passed away in August 2020.

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Dan Giesler

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

2016 Associate of the Year

(Published August 2016)

At some point in their careers, most folks in Texas broadcast engineering have bought a product from Giesler Broadcasting Supply (GBS).

Founder Bernie Giesler has been a fixture in the Texas broadcast industry for more than 50 years – and all that time, GBS has been a family affair.

Gieslers

At some point in their careers, most folks in Texas broadcast engineering have bought a product from Giesler Broadcasting Supply (GBS).

Founder Bernie Giesler has been a fixture in the Texas broadcast industry for more than 50 years – and all that time, GBS has been a family affair.

Based in the Houston area, GBS has been a generous and longtime supporter of both TAB and the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE). 

In 1978, Bernie and his wife Frances started GBS in their living room with two phone lines.  Over the years, all of Bernie’s children spent time working for the company, in a variety of capacities.

Bernie’s son Dan has been the face of the company for many years and he continues the company’s strong relationship with TAB and local SBE chapters across Texas.

Electronics always came naturally to Dan.  In his teenage years, he was busy building stereos, fixing dishwashers and rewiring the house. 

In 1982, Dan graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering when the airplane business was in a slump.

He decided to see how the family radio station equipment business was working…and business was booming.

GBS in the early 1990s continued to be a true family affair: Bernie, Uncle Ambrose, Dan, Tim, Kathleen and Joe with Bridget being utilized on special projects.

GBS came to a major crossroads in 1997.  Bernie retired and moved to Lake Conroe.

The Giesler kids looked at each other the first day after Bernie’s retirement and agreed on one thing: “We’d better start selling something.”

Through the late 1990s and early 2000s, Kathleen and Joe moved to other industries, leaving Tim and Dan at the helm.

“Dan Giesler has always exemplified integrity, knowledge and partnership in our business with him and GBS” stated Steve Davis, Senior Vice President | Real Estate, Facilities & Capital Management, iHeartMedia.

“One of the first contacts I had in the Radio Business back in 1975 was Bernie Giesler. Dan and Tim have carried on in the great tradition of their father,” said Marty Wind, Executive VP/GM, KLUX Diocese of Corpus Christi.

“To have a family continuously operate a Broadcast supply business for more than 40 years is quite notable and speaks to the integrity of their business ethic.   Dan and Tim (and Bernie) have always been there for us. Recognition is richly deserved.”

“I have found Dan to be a great help in supplying equipment for many projects, not only mine, but for many other engineers and broadcasters,” said Dan Walthers, VP of Engineering for iHeartMedia in San Antonio. 

“He is always knowledgeable about his products and is very willing to go out of his way to help a broadcaster resolve an odd situation or get him back on the air the quickest way possible.”

“If a broadcaster finds a product they heard about but couldn’t get, Dan will be the one to research the product and acquire that product, or offer a better one to purchase,” said Gil Garcia, VP of iHeartMedia in Austin. 

“His knowledge, integrity, honesty and kindness to his fellow broadcasters and competitors have made him a valued leader and friend to us in broadcasting.”

Bernie was one of the first vendors to serve on the steering committee to plan the TAB Convention’s technical program. 

For many years, GBS has been one of the first companies to sign up for the booths in the Trade Show, simply underscoring their commitment to the TAB.

One of their most successful events is the annual Engineers Dinner – now in its 26th year with more than 150 annual attendees.

Vendors, manufacturers and dealers from all over the nation come together to support TAB and Texas SBE. Dan is very proud that GBS is one of two founders of the event.

GBS continues to supply the latest technology and help broadcasters stay on the leading edge of communication advances.

For the first time in TAB history, broadcasters are presenting GBS with their second Associate of the Year Award.

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Dick Pickens *

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

2013 Associate of the Year

(Published August 2013)

For more than 40 years, Dick Pickens has dedicated his engineering and management expertise to the betterment of the Texas broadcasting industry.

Pickens is owner of TAB Associate Member Microcom Systems, Inc., and also serves as an inspector in TAB’s Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program.

Dick Pickens

Pickens began his radio career at the age of 10.

Dickie Pickens and nine-year-old Ben Laurie started a hometown Saturday morning kids program on KEBE-AM 1400 Jacksonville. 

The “Keebie Kids” show had a live studio audience and live talent.

On an early “Keebie Kids” show, an eight-year-old girl named Nancy performed a piano selection.

Nine years later, Pickens asked for her musically talented hand in marriage. Overnight, she became Nancy Pickens but the very next day…he became Dick Laine. 

He took that pseudonym when he joined the Gordon McLendon stations as a Top 40 deejay. Over the next 10 years Dick Laine was on the air in several Texas markets.

He brought rock-and-roll to Austin as program director and on-air personality for the original KOKE 1370, then later for KNOW 1490 when it switched from ABC to become a Top 40 station.

The Texas Radio Hall of Fame inducted Dick Laine in 2012.

All through his radio years, he was developing skills on the technical side, learning under various station engineers and correspondence courses.

In 1962, he earned his first Amateur Radio license and two years later, he passed the FCC’s test for a First Class commercial radio operator license. He worked up to an Amateur Radio Extra Class License in 1975 with the call sign K5UD.  In between all of that, he finished his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1966.

Pickens entered the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary while remaining with KNOW as chief engineer. 
With first a Bachelor of Divinity, then a Master of Divinity degree, he and Nancy went to work helping young people who were hooked on drugs and living on the streets, especially around “the Drag” at UT.

They began a Christian music coffeehouse where they used their past showmanship skills to draw kids off the street for, as someone put it, “sweet music, bitter coffee and a better life.”

He continued to do radio and media production and later worked at Austin’s KVET and KASE both on-air and on the technical side.

He managed all of the radio towers belonging to KVET’s owner Roy Butler. He even started a successful radio common carrier company with mobile telephones (the predecessor of cell phones) at KVET.

Pickens was especially honored in the early 80s when he received a lectureship position in the UT College of Communication.

They wanted someone to teach senior broadcasting majors the “hands-on” side of radio/TV, including the development of programming and production skills.

Beginning in 1982, he put his experience to work as a consultant to radio stations. This way he could perform his church-related duties without a salary. 

In addition, he was a weekday morning news/talk show host on KIXL’s “Morning Magazine” plus hosting “Sunday Song,” a Christian music program on 94.7 FM.

Yet another challenge came in the 1990s when TAB began ABIP – the TAB/FCC Alternate Broadcast Inspection Program. At first Pickens was unsure about taking on the role of a quasi-FCC inspector, but wife Nancy knew it was “his kind of thing” and she pressured him to sign up for it.

Now they travel together inspecting radio and TV stations for FCC compliance. Nancy is the team’s Public File specialist.

“Dick is always willing to help out a fellow broadcaster with technical issues and his sage advice is greatly appreciated by the broadcast community,” said Mike Wenglar, KVUE-TV Austin.

“I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Dick for more than 40 years. I can’t think of anyone else who has the qualities of motivation, dedication, honesty and trustworthiness – and a deep love of radio,” said Gil Garcia, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment.

Dick and Nancy Pickens are dad and mom to three married kids and their mates as well as grandparents to 14 youngsters and adults. They even have one great-grandson who is already grabbing the microphones at nine months old.

Dick still teaches and preaches the Bible in churches.

Some would say he also preaches the FCC Rules and Regulations to Texas stations.

Dick Pickens passed away in February 2022.

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David Oxenford

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

2011 Associate of the Year

(Published August 2011)

TAB annually recognizes Associate Members who provide outstanding products and services to the Texas broadcast industry.

This year’s award recipient continues to support Texas radio and television stations with his learned knowledge and legal expertise.

David Oxenford

David Oxenford is a partner at the Davis Wright Tremaine law firm in Washington, DC.

He graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1977 with a B.A. in Government and Philosophy. In 1980, he received his J.D. from the Emory University School of Law.

While he was a student at William & Mary, Oxenford began working at the college radio station and later became the general manager.

He was interested in owning a station, but decided to take a different route focusing on the legal aspects of broadcasting.

In 1980, he became an associate and then partner with the Fisher Wayland Cooper Leader & Zaragoza law firm.

Fisher Wayland was the main communications law firm for most of the state broadcast associations. He stayed with the firm for 20 years and continued when they merged with Shaw Pittman.

In 2006, he took a position with the Davis Wright Tremaine law firm to continue his passion for working for broadcasters and first amendment rights.

His clients include Buckley Broadcasting, Connoisseur Media, Drewry Broadcasting, Educational Media Foundation, the Mid West Family Stations, the National Association of Media Brokers, Triad Broadcasting, Bryan Broadcasting and numerous state broadcast associations.

He is most proud of the relationships he has established with broadcasters across the country and enabling them to grow their businesses.

“Texas broadcasters are very dynamic and committed to progress. They are cutting-edge leaders in the industry,” he said.

Oxenford also represents digital media companies, including a number of Internet radio companies.

He represents these companies before the Copyright Office, the Copyright Royalty Board, and other government agencies, and he advises them on music royalty issues as well as other general business and regulatory matters.

Named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Communications Law for 2011, Oxenford has devoted his career to defending and advancing the causes of the broadcast industry.

Oxenford’s updates and advisories as well as his Internet postings are regularly published by various associations and trade publications. He is a regular speaker at the TAB Convention as well as national broadcast, webcasting and music conferences.

Many broadcasters consider his excellent communications law blog – www.broadcastlawblog.com – to be one of the most highly-respected sources of learned opinion and insight available to the industry. He makes it available for everyone – all free of charge.

The TABulletin regularly uses portions of the blog in FCC-related articles. Other industry trade magazines such as Broadcasting & Cable and industry websites do the same, and there’s a reason why.

He has a talent for taking a complex technical or regulatory issue and explaining, in an easily understood fashion, how it could impact a broadcaster’s day-to-day operations.

If there’s an FCC ruling and fine, Oxenford demonstrates why there was a problem and offers tips and considerations for other broadcasters to use to avoid similar situations.

He also has a knack for being prescient on how new technology, legal rulings and business practices could affect broadcasters, and freely shares his views on such.

TAB’s 2011 webcast on privacy issues affecting broadcasters is a good example. Oxenford explored not just the “ traditional” privacy issues broadcasters must contend with (such as those involved in newsgathering and on-air broadcasts), but also the issues arising from other technology that stations use daily such as phones, fax, emails, texts, tweets, social media and station websites.

He has presented seminars and webcasts on the FCC’s EEO rules; broadcasting and music law; political broadcasting; privacy issues in broadcasting; legal and technical online streaming issues; legal issues regarding station websites; and public interest obligations, just to name few.

Oxenford has a “can do” spirit and when he commits to a project, he sees it through, even if there’s bad weather involved.

A few years ago upon returning from an international trip, a bad snow storm threatened to strand Oxenford at a New York airport, but he assured TAB that as long as he had a working phone, he would make a previously scheduled webcast…even if it meant he couldn’t see his powerpoint slides. Thankfully, it didn’t come to that and the webcast came off without a hitch.

He has been presenting in-person TAB seminars on political broadcasting since the early 1990s and twice endured multi-city tours of the state to update broadcasters on the FCC’s regulations.

As a result of those seminars, no Texas broadcaster has been fined on an FCC political broadcast regulation violation for more than two decades.
“David continues to be most generous with his time and expertise,” said former TAB Chairman Ben Downs.

“While most attorneys guard their time closely, David has always returned calls from staff and member stations without consideration for billable hours.
“He knows the TAB staff well and understands the value our association has on a national stage. His guidance is wise and most often correct.”

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