The 80s: A Decade of Growth, Change and Reorganization
-
Karole White, 1985
The Non-Commercial Sustaining Announcement (NCSA) program begins after discussions with Governor James Blanchard. The program was to help the MAB bring in more money so the association could go full-time. The endeavor worked, thanks to station participation, and about six-months after it first ran, Karole White was hired.
- November 25, 1985: MAB officially moves from a part-time organization under the direction of Tom Cleary to a full-time organization under newly-hired executive director Karole L. White (photo right, circa 1985). White was recently with the Michigan Florist Association. The first order of business for the new executive director was to meet broadcasters across Michigan during a scheduled ten-location tour. Cleary’s lobbying firm, Michigan Legislative Consultants, remained as legislative consulting firm for the association.
- Beer and Wine Advertising, Tall Structure-Strobe Lighting and Seat Belt Laws are key issues facing Michigan broadcasters.
- MAB holds its first-ever Regional Sales Seminars in 1986 with Richard Kaufman. More than 205 MAB members attended representing 55 different radio stations. Cost to attend was $35 per person. The MAB also held Broadcast News Workshops.
- The first-ever MAB Awards for Creative Excellence (later to be named the Broadcast Excellence Awards) was held.
- MAB was granted approval to test a shortened Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) signal.
- Carl E. Lee, Fetzer Broadcasting Service and MAB President 1956, honored by the MAB for 50 years in broadcasting.
- The official logo of the MAB was introduced in March 1986.
- The first Member Needs Survey is administered in March 1986.
- Mid-Winter Conference (later to be named the Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference & Expo) moves to downtown Lansing in 1986.
December 6, 1988: the building located at 819 N. Washington Avenue, Lansing, housing the MAB offices, is officially dedicated. The dedication ceremony and media uplink featured Governor James Blanchard, Senator John Engler, Representative Pat Gagliardi and FCC Commissioner James H. Quello along with approximately 290 guests. As a memento from the event, commemorate marble trivets embossed with an image of the new building were distributed.
- MAB Presidents during the 1980s: Edwin R. Huse, WKHM/WJOX, Jackson (79-80); Robert J. McBride, WJBK, Detroit (80-81); Joe D. Buys, WVIC, Lansing (81-82); Todd Holmes, WNEM, Saginaw (82-83); Ross Biederman, WTCM, Traverse City (82-83); Jeanne Findlater, WXYZ, Detroit (83-84); Eugene Umlor, WPHM, Port Huron (84-85); Bill Robbins, WKZO, Kalamazoo (85); Richard Sommerville,* WCEN, Mt. Pleasant (86); James P. White, WOOD, Grand Rapids (86-87); Guy Spitsberg,* WLUC, Marquette (87-88) (partial term); Jerry Colvin,* WUHQ, Battle Creek (87-88) (partial term); Charles D. Mefford,* MW Multicom (88-89).
*deceased
1980s Photo Gallery:
- (l-r) Senator Carol Levin, Congressman Sander Levin and Dan Alpert, Detroit Public Television, during a Congressional dinner in Washington, DC in 1987.
- (l-r) Jerry Colvin, WUHQ, (MAB President 1988), greets special speaker Donald Canham, former U of M Athletic Director, during the 1988 Congressional Dinner in Washington, DC.
- Dr. Bette J. Erwin, Libertarian Candidate, addresses MAB attendees during the 1982 Summer Conference at Hill Valley Resort in Gaylord.
- Tom Cleary (in the plaid jacket) directs Michigan Governor James J. Blanchard and guests to a reception at the Governor’s residence (circa early 1980s).
- (l-r) Ken MacDonald, Sr., WSAM/WKCQ (MAB President 1975) and David Hicks, WKFR/WKMI, during the 1987 Congressional Dinner.
- (l-r) Steve Marks, WBKB-TV; Nancy Waters, WCXT-FM; Barbara Levin and Carl Levin during the 1988 Congressional Dinner.
- (l-r) Mary Quello; Beverly West, WAAM-AM; and George Williams, WKBD-TV, during the 1987 Congressional Dinner.
- Comedienne Phyllis Diller highlighted the 41st MAB Annual Conference at Shanty Creek/Schuss Mountain on August 4, 1989. Pictured here with Karole White.
- Representative Howard Wolpe and Gordon Anderson, WKZO-AM during a 1983 reception.
- Richard Sommerville, WCEN, (MAB President 1986) during a 1987 Congressional Dinner in Washington, DC.
- During the 1987 Congressional Dinner in Washington DC, (l-r) Mary Quello; Commissioner James H. Quello; Debbie Dingell; Congressman John Dingell; and Eddie Fritts, NAB.
- Members aboard the “Spririt of Charlevoix” during the 1988 Annual Conference.
- The official Mid-Winter Conference (now GLBC) ribbon cutting as it moved to downtown Lansing in 1986.
- (l-r) Bill Robbins, WKZO (MAB President 1985); Karole White, MAB; Governor James Blanchard (circa 1985).
- (right) Gene Umlor, WPHM (MAB President 1985) talks with Senator Carl Levin during a Congressional Dinner (circa 1987).
- (l-r) Governor James Blanchard and Jeanne Findlater, WXYZ (MAB President 1984).
- Karole White and Ken MacDonald, Sr., WSAM/WKCQ (MAB President 1975) during the “Smooth Sailing” themed Summer Conference in 1987.
- (l-r) Karole White, MAB, and Tony Gaston, WKZO (MAB President 1976) during the new MAB building dedication in December, 1988.
- Governor James Blanchard speaks during the new MAB building dedication ceremony on December 6, 1988.
- At an MAB Board Meeting (l-r) are Thomas Fox, WJBK and MAB Secretary Treasurer 1986; Richard Sommerville, WCEN (MAB President 1986) and Karole White, MAB (circa 1986).