The Society of Broadcast Engineers recognizes achievements from its members through an awards program. The annual SBE National Awards recognizes those who have contributed to the SBE, the industry or their chapters in a number of categories. Winners are presented awards at the National Awards Dinner at the annual SBE National Meeting.
The Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year award is presented to a member who has excelled in his or her career while furthering the mission of the SBE. The 2024 recipient is James Dalke, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, CBNT, from Bellevue, WA, and a member of SBE Chapter 16 in Seattle, WA. The James C. Wulliman SBE Educator of the Year award recognizes outstanding service and excellence in sharing knowledge through teaching other broadcast engineers. The 2024 recipient is Larry Wilkins, CPBE, AMD, CBNT, of Prattville, AL, and a member of SBE Chapter 118 in Montgomery, AL.
Dalke, a dedicated SBE member of 26 years, currently serves as the editor of the online publication The Waveguide and is actively involved with the Alternative Broadcast Inspection Program (ABIP) through the Washington State Association of Broadcasters. His contributions include numerous technical articles and holding an Amateur Extra Class License as W7PB.
Wilkins, a 33-year SBE member, has been instrumental in the Alabama Broadcasters Association Engineering Academy as its Director, where he developed curriculum and conducted classes across multiple states. His career highlights include designing numerous radio and television studio and transmitter facilities. During his tenure at the Engineering Academy, he concentrates on curriculum development for multiple classes a year focused on radio and on television. Following the educational week, students are eligible to sit for an SBE certification exam.
Technology Award
The SBE Awards Program also recognizes other achievements from SBE members, chapters and SBE sustaining member companies. Telos has been awarded the 2024 Technology Award for its EAS At The Edge, a collaborative effort with Digital Alert Systems, Telos Alliance, and Nautel. This innovation simplifies broadcasters’ Emergency Alert System implementations through software standards and AoIP-based techniques, ensuring compliance with FCC regulations while enhancing public safety functions.
Chapter and Individual Awards
Chapters are the lifeblood of the SBE, and 2024 marks the 11th year that the Chapter Engineer of the Year Award has highlighted the achievements of members within their chapters. This year, seven chapters selected their own award recipients. Each winner will be presented with a special plaque and be recognized nationally on the SBE website and in a future issue of The Signal. The seven chapter winners also were automatically nominated for the national Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year Award.
For the third consecutive year, Chapter 15 in New York, NY, has been recognized with the Best Chapter Communication award. Instead of a traditional newsletter, Chapter 15 utilizes multiple communication channels including an email list, the sbe15.com website, Twitter, Facebook, and Zoom, effectively engaging its members.
Cody Hmelar has been awarded Best Technical Article, Paper, or Program by an SBE Student Member for his article titled “Your Phone’s About To Get Loud. Here’s how to manage the National Emergency Alert System Test” published on techradar.com on October 3, 2023.
Statistical Awards
These awards are determined with statistical information based on Dec. 31, 2023, figures on file at the SBE National Office. Chapters with 26 members or fewer are Class A. Chapters with 27 members or more are Class B.
Percentage Growth of New Members:
Class A: 111 Huntsville
Class B: 60 Richmond
Highest Percentage of Certified Members:
Class A: 115 Southern Idaho
Class B: 131 Inland Empire
Highest Percentage of Member Attendance at Meetings:
Class A: 145 Magic Valley, ID
Class B: 60 Richmond
On the announcement of the award winners, SBE President Ted Hand, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, ATSC3, DRB, said, “Recognition by your peers is the highest honor, and the 2024 SBE award winners, chosen by a group of their SBE member colleagues, exemplify the efforts of the SBE to educate and advance the careers of our members. Congratulations to all of them.”
All the winners will be recognized at the SBE Awards Dinner to be held on Sept. 11 during the SBE National Meeting, held in conjunction with the Midwest Regional Broadcasters Clinic in Middleton, WI. Nominations for the 2025 awards will open in February. Nominations for individual and chapter awards are considered for the time period between June 1 of the previous year and May 31 of the current year. Statistical awards are based on SBE data as of Dec. 31 of the previous year.
