by John Poray, CAE
SBE Executive Director
There are a number of ways to gauge the vitality of a chapter of the SBE. The number of active members and how many quality meetings held each year are two ways that are often used. Another is to measure the percentage of SBE members in each chapter that hold one or more SBE certifications.
Though SBE certification is an optional program, we of course recommend it highly. It is the most recognized measure in the broadcasting business today of technical knowledge and experience. I took a look at SBE chapters that meet the requirements to be a SBE Quality Chapter (who earned a chapter cash rebate from the national SBE for 2014) AND, that had 50% or more of its members certified through the SBE, and created a “SBE Top Ten” list; or in this case, Top 11.
During this 40th anniversary of the SBE Program of Certification, we’re pleased to recognize the Top 11 Chapters, their chairmen and certification chairmen, who play a significant leadership role in establishing a high level of chapter programming and a high percentage of member participation in the SBE certification program.
| Rank | Chapter | % SBE Certified | Chapter Chairman | Certification Chairman |
| 1 | 118, Montgomery, AL | 68% | Wiely Boswell, CBRE, CBNE | Charles Grider, CBRE, CBNT |
| 2 | 131, Inland Empire, CA | 67% | Don Bartie, CPBE, CBNT | Paul Claxton, CPBE, CBNE |
| 2 | 24, Madison, WI | 67% | Kevin Ruppert, CPBE, CBNT | Jim Hermanson, CPBE, CBNT |
| 4 | 86, Greenville, SC | 63% | Jerry Massey, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, DRB, CBNT | Robert Maw, CSTE |
| 5 | 55, St. Louis, MO | 62% | Terrence Dupuis, CBRE, CBNT | Don Strauss, CPBE |
| 6 | 52, Central Ohio | 55% | John Owen | Roland Elikofer, CPBE |
| 7 | 28, Milwaukee, WI | 54% | Todd Boettcher, CPBE | Rick Ryan, CPBE |
| 7 | 3, Kansas | 54% | Vern Wirka, CPBE | Robert Locke, CPBE, CBNT |
| 7 | 96, Rockford, IL | 54% | Ben Pflederer | Chuck Ingle, CPBE, AMD |
| 10 | 7, Jacksonville, FL | 51% | Craig Butler, CSRTE | Alan Alsobrook, CSRE, AMD, CBNT |
| 11 | 102, Grand Rapids, MI | 50% | Glenn Gunnufsen, CSTE, CBNT | Philip Schmitt, CBRE, CBT |
No matter what stage you are in your career as a broadcast engineer or master control operator, obtaining SBE certification can be helpful to you in your own professional development. Your chapter’s certification chairman can help you get started and answer any questions you may have. You can also check the Certification section at the SBE website, www.sbe.org, or contact SBE Certification Director Megan Clappe at the SBE National Office.
