The Society of Broadcast Engineers has announced the recipients of the 2025 SBE National Awards, which recognize outstanding achievements by individual members, local chapters, and Sustaining Member companies. Among the organization’s highest honors are the Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year and the James C. Wulliman SBE Educator of the Year awards.
Doug Irwin, CPBE, AMD, DRB, of Burbank, CA, and a member of SBE Chapter 47 Los Angeles, has been named the 2025 Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year. With nearly four decades of experience on both coasts, Irwin manages one of the most complex and influential radio operations in the country. His career has navigated the challenges of industry consolidation and evolving technologies, yet he remains deeply committed to advancing engineering standards and mentoring the next generation of professionals. As one Chapter 47 member stated, “Doug exemplifies unwavering dedication and genuine passion for broadcast engineering.”
David Bialik, CBT, of New City, NY, and a member of SBE Chapter 15 New York City, is the recipient of the 2025 James C. Wulliman SBE Educator of the Year award. An SBE member for 15 years, Bialik played a key role in organizing the 2024 and 2025 Ennes Workshops covering Media Over IP, held during the NAB Show. He also serves on the SBE Education Committee and is co-chair of the AES Technical Committee for Broadcast and Online Delivery.
Blackmagic Design has received the SBE Technology Award for its DeckLink IP 100G, a PCIe Gen 4 card capable of capturing and playing back up to eight channels of HD and Ultra HD video simultaneously within SMPTE 2110 IP systems. This marks the company’s fifth win in this category. DeckLink IP cards are designed for seamless integration with IP-based broadcast infrastructures, offering high-performance, multi-channel video workflows.
Mark Lee of Compass Media, based in the Cayman Islands, has been awarded the Facility Innovation of the Year award. In a groundbreaking effort, Compass Media extended its WheatNet-IP audio network across 85 miles of underwater fiber to link its four radio stations with the two smaller Cayman Islands. This achievement significantly enhances media access and connectivity across the region, uniting communities through broadcast for the first time on this scale.
For the fourth consecutive year, SBE Chapter 15 New York, NY, has been recognized with the Best Chapter Communication Award. Rather than relying solely on a traditional newsletter, Chapter 15 effectively engages its members through a variety of platforms, including email, the chapter website (sbe15.com), Twitter, Facebook, and Zoom.
The Wisconsin SBE Chapters, in partnership with the 2024 Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Media Technology Institute, have been honored with the award for Best Chapter or Regional Educational Event. The annual three-day institute, held in June, provides a comprehensive and immersive learning experience designed to support the professional development of broadcast engineers at all career stages.
Statistical Awards are determined with information based on Dec. 31, 2024, figures on file at the SBE National Office. Chapters are put into one of two classes: Chapters with 26 members (the chapter median) or fewer are Class A. Chapters with 27 members or more are Class B.
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Chapter Engineer of the Year
SBE Chapters are encouraged to award their own SBE Chapter Engineer of the Year award. While not a national award, all recipients are placed into consideration for the Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year honor in addition to direct nominees.
- Chapter 1 Binghamton – Ron Cappiello
- Chapter 15 New York City – George Kowal, CSRE, CSTE, CBNT
- Chapter 16 Seattle – Dave Ratener, CPBE, CBNT
- Chapter 17 Central Minnesota – Joseph Niffen, CSRE
- Chapter 37 District of Columbia – Steve Floyd
- Chapter 38 El Paso – Glenn Leffler, CPBE
- Chapter 47 Los Angeles – Matthew Anderson, CSRE
- Chapter 59 Kansas City – J. Kirk Chestnut, CPBE
- Chapter 70 Northeast Ohio – Chuck Poulton
- Chapter 80 Fox Valley – Matthew Converse, CBRE, CBT, CRO
- Chapter 148 Eastern Europe – Davit Robakidze, CBTE, CBNE, CTO
With the announcement, SBE Awards Committee Chair Terry Douds, CPBE, said, “Recognition and encouragement of outstanding efforts of SBE members is a key part of the SBE’s mission. Congratulations to all the award recipients.”
The recipients will be recognized during the SBE Awards Dinner held at the SBE National Meeting, Sept. 24-25 during the Midwest Broadcast and Multimedia Technology Conference, presented by the state broadcast associations of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
