Directory Home
SBE National Awards
Chapter and Individual Awards Program
The annual SBE National Awards program 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.
Some SBE members go above and beyond the call of duty to their job and to SBE and the broadcast industry. There are local chapters that do an excellent job of serving their members. Often these efforts go unrecognized. Don’t let that happen this year! Fill out an Awards Nomination Form and recognize a deserving individual or chapter.
Chapter Awards Nomination Form
Individual Awards Nomination Form
Submit nominations for any of the five chapter and six individual awards. In addition, three chapter awards are determined from statistical information on record at the SBE National Office.
The SBE also presents the John H. Battison Award for Lifetime Achievement. Nominations for the lifetime achievement award are accepted and reviewed separate from other awards. Click here for more details.
Five of the chapter awards are broken into two classes, Class A and Class B, so competing chapters are similar in membership size. Class A is made up of chapters with membership less than the median; Class B contains chapters with membership greater than the median.
Award winners will be notified in July and invited to attend the SBE National Meeting. The SBE National Meeting is held annually in conjunction with a regional broadcsting event.
SBE Fellow
The SBE Fellow is an SBE membership grade or level. It is the highest level, awarded only to those nominated by members and elected by the board of directors. The board considers nominations for SBE Fellow in the spring each year at the meeting held during the NAB Show.
Fellow members of the SBE have rendered conspicuous service or have made valuable contributions to the advancement of broadcast engineering or its allied professions.
Candidates for SBE Fellow membership are proposed in writing by a voting member. The nomination must include a cover letter and a biography of the nominee. It must be endorsed by at least five other voting members. Nominations are submitted to the chairman of the SBE Fellowship Committee, Troy Pennington, CSRE, CBNT. If approved by the board, the nominee is notified and a presentation is made at the fall SBE National Meeting. The nomination process is conducted in confidence. Nominees should not be made aware that they have been nominated.
Award Category Descriptions & Past Winners
Individual Awards
Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year
James C. Wulliman SBE Educator of the Year
Best Technical Article, Paper or Program by an SBE Member
Best Technical Article, Paper or Program by an SBE Student Member
Chapter Awards
Best Chapter Social Media Site
Best Regional Convention or Conference
Best Chapter Frequency Coordination Effort
Chapter with Greatest Percentage Growth of New Members
Chapter with Highest Percentage of SBE Certified Members
Chapter with Highest Percentage of Member Attendance at Meetings
Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year
This award recognizes an SBE Member who has made the greatest contribution to the broadcasting industry and to furthering the goals and objectives of the society. The Broadcast Engineer of the Year Award was renamed in 2011 to honor Robert W. Flanders.
Past Award Winners
2012 - Wiely Boswell, CBRE
2011 - Al Grossniklaus, CBNT, P.E.
2010 - John Luff
2008-09 - Craig Strom
2007 - Cris Alexander, CPBE, AMD, DRB
2006 - John M. Lyons, CPBE
2005 - Larry J. Wilkins, CPBE, AMD, CBNT
2004 - Theodore H. Szypulski, CPBE
2003 - James T. Bernier, Jr., CPBE, CBNT
2003 - Douglas W. Garlinger, CPBE, CBNT
2001 - Joseph L. Snelson, Jr., CPBE
2000 - Kenneth J. Brown
1999 - Clay Freinwald, CPBE
1998 - Dane Ericksen, P.E., CSRTE
1997 - Leonard J. Charles, CPBE
1996 - Clay Freinwald, CPBE
1995 - Leonard J. Charles, CPBE
1994 - Donald C. Wilkinson, CSBE
1993 - Albin Hilstrom, CPBE
1992 - John Soergel, CPBE
1991 - Terrence Baun, CPBE
James C. Wulliman SBE Educator of the Year
This award recognizes an SBE Member who is dedicated to the education of the broadcast engineers through personal writings, teachings, programs and employment and who furthers the goals and objectives of the society. The Educator of the Year Award was renamed in 2011 to honor James C. Wullimna.
Award Recipients
2012 - Wayne Pecena, CPBE, 8-VSB, AMD, DRB, CBNE
2011 - Steve Lampen, CBRE
2010 - Charles 'Buc' Fitch, CPBE, AMD
2008-09 - Fred Baumgartner, CPBE, CBNT
2007 - William Hayes
2006 - John Bisset
2005 - Gary Sgrignoli
2004 - Lawrence B. Bloomfield
2003 - Donald C. Borchert
2002 - Terrence M. Baun, CPBE, CBNT
2001 - Steven R. Keeler
2000 - Michael P. Scott, CPBE
1999 - Steven R. Keeler
1998 - Michael P. Scott, CPBE, and Bruce Ziemienski, CPBE (tie)
1997 - Richard A. Farquhar, CPBE
1996 - Michael P. Scott, CPBE
1995 - Michael P. Scott, CPBE
1994 - Douglas W. Garlinger, CPBE
1992 - Dr. John O’Neill 1992
1991 - Jerry Whitaker, CPBE
Technology Award
This award recognizes an SBE Individual or Sustaining Member who has provided the industry with the best new or innovative technical item or idea to further the science of broadcast engineering and to assist the broadcast engineer to be more productive in the craft. Only ideas that have been shared with others in the industry are eligible.
Award Recipients
2012 - Orban for their free BS.1770-2/R 128 and CBS Loudness Meter
2011 - Nautel for Advanced User Interface (AUI) and associated productivity technologies
2007 - Daniel Slentz & WHIZ TV/DTV FM & AM
2006 - Ross Video for OverDrive Live Production Control System
2004 - Ross Video for OverDrive Live Production Control System
2003 - Dielectric Communications for Dualband Series Antenna (UHF/VHF)
2002 - Thales Broadcast & Multimedia for DCX Paragon MSDC-IOT high-power digital transmitter
2000 - Andrew Corporation for STACKER™Optimized Antenna Structure for Television Broadcast Applications
1999 - Videotek, Inc. for SpyderWeb Unattended Networked Monitoring System
1998 - Harris/PBS for DTV Express
1994 - Chapter 48 – Denver, Colorado for EAS
1991 - George Yazell
Best Technical Article, Paper or Program by an SBE Member
This award recognizes the author of the best technical article, book or paper in its contribution towards the increase of scientific, operational, artistic or technical knowledge in the broadcast engineering industry.
Award Recipients
2012 - Doug Irwin, CPBE, AMD, DRB
2011 - John Davis, CBNT
2010 - Douglas Irwin, CPBE, AMD, DRB
2008-09 - Tim Anderson, CSRE, DRB, CBNT
2007 - Douglas Irwin
2006 - Douglas Irwin, CPBE, AMD
2005 - John H. Battison, P.E., CPBE
2004 - Roswell Clark, CSRE, CBNT
2003 - Thomas R. Ray III, CPBE
2002 - John H. Battison, P.E., CPBE
2001 - Charles S. Fitch, CPBE, P.E.
2000 - Victoria W. Kipp, CBTE, CBNT
1999 - John Battison, P.E., and Steve Paugh, CBTE (tie)
1998 - Neal McLain, CSBE
1997 - Douglas W. Garlinger, CPBE
1996 - Neal McLain
1995 - Neal McLain
1994 - Neal McLain
1993 - Timothy Cutforth, P.E.
1992 - Philip Hijtmanek
1991 - Paul Stoffel
Best Technical Article, Paper or Program by an SBE Student Member
This award recognizes an SBE Student Member who has shown excellence in the presentation of a technical, operational or scientific paper published in an SE local, national or industry-related publication; or program presented at a local chapter meeting, national/regional convention or broadcast engineering-related class.
Award Recipients
1997 - Jeffrey Giesberg
1996 - Vicki Way
1995 - James Stellpflug and Vicki Way
1994 - James Stellpflug
1993 - Tim Trendt, Andy Rothschadel, Kurt Miller, Matt Mommaerts
1991 - Robb Hagen
Best Chapter Website
This award recognizes the local chapter with a website providing up-to-date information about the chapter, including officers and meetings; making effective and creative use of graphics; providing links to the SBE national website; and effectively representing the chapter and SBE.
Award Recipients
2012 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wisc.
2011 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wisc.
2010 - Chapter 54, Hampton Roads, Va.
2008-09 - Chapter 59, Kansas City, Mo./Kas.
2007 - Chapter 54, Hampton Roads, Va.
2006 - Chapter 36, San Diego, Calif.
2005 - Chapter 54, Hampton Roads, Va.
2004 - Chapter 54, Hampton Roads, Va.
2003 - Chapter 53, South Florida
2002 - Chapter 53, South Florida
2001 - Chapter 36, San Diego, Calif.
2000 - Chapter 53, South Florida
1999 - Chapter 67, North Texas
1998 - Chapter 37, District of Columbia
Best Chapter Social Media Site
This award recognizes the local SBE Chapter with a social media site (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.) that provides up-to-date information about the chapter and information pertinent to local broadcast engineers.
Award Recipients
2012 - Chapter 15, New York City
Best Chapter Newsletter
This award recognizes two local chapters that produced the best locally published newsletter it its Class, providing up-to-date and relevant information about the chapter in a graphically pleasing and editorially sound manner. Chapters must exercise full control over its content, mailing and size.
Award Recipients
2012 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wisc.
2011 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wisc
2010 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
2008-09 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
2007 - Chapter 70, NE Ohio
2006 - Chapter 66, Fresno, Calif. (Class A)
2005 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
2004 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
2003 - Chapter 118, Montgomery, Ala. (Class A)
2003 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
2002 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
2001 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
2000 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
1999 - Chapter 66, Fresno, Calif. (Class A)
1999 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
1998 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. and Chapter 124 – North Oregon (tie)
1997 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash. 1997
1996 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. and Chapter 70 – Northeast Ohio (tie)
1995 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1994 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1993 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1992 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1991 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash.
1990 - Chapter 25, Indianapolis, Ind.
1989 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
Most Interactive Chapter
This award recognizes the local chapter that most actively attempted inter-association with organizations in industries related to the broadcast engineering profession (example: SCTE, ITVA, SMPTE, et. Al.).
Award Recipients
2007 - Chapter 5, Atlanta, Ga.
2004 - Chapter 5, Atlanta, Ga.
2002 - Chapter 73, HAMnet “Chapter of the Air”
2001 - Chapter 59, Kansas City, Kan./Mo.
2000 - Chapter 70, Northeast Ohio
1999 - Chapter 59, Kansas City, Kan./Mo.
1996 - Chapter 26, Chicago, Ill.
1994 - Chapter 48, Denver, Colo.
Best Regional Convention or Conference
This award recognizes the effort of the local chapter that sponsored, organized and held a regional technical conference and/or convention that best furthered the goals and objectives of the society.
Award Recipients
2012 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wisc.
2011 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wisc.
2010 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
2008-09 - Chapter 22, Central New York
2007 - Chapter 22, Central New York
2006 - Chapter 22, Central New York
2005 - Chapter 22, Central New York
2004 - Chapter 22, Central New York
2003 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
2002 - Chapter 22, Central New York
2001 - Chapter 22, Central New York
2000 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash.
1999 - Chapter 22, Central New York
1998 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash.
1997 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash.
1996 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash.
1995 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash.
1994 - Chapter 22, Syracuse, N.Y.
1993 - Chapters 1, 22, 57, 58
1993 - Chapters 24, 28, 80, 112
1992 - Chapter 22, Central New York
1991 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash.
1990 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash.
1989 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. and Chapter 22,Syracuse, N.Y. (tie)
Best Chapter Frequency Coordination Effort
This award recognizes two local chapters that expended the greatest and most effective effort toward frequency coordination in its market, service area and class.
Award Recipients
2012 - Chapter 15, New York City
2007 - Chapter 85, Central/Western, Okla
2006 - Chapter 54, Hampton Roads, Va. (Class B)
2005 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
2004 - Chapter 54, Hampton Roads, Va. (Class B)
2003 - Chapter 54, Tidewater, Va. (Class B)
2002 - Chapter 9, Phoenix, Ariz. (Class B)
2001 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
2000 - Chapter 112, Western Wis. (Class A)
2000 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash. (Class B)
1999 - Chapter 9, Phoenix, Ariz. (Class B)
1998 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1997 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1996 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1995 - Chapter 26, Chicago, Ill.
1994 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1992 - Chapter 67, North Texas
1991 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1990 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
1989 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis.
Chapter with Greatest Percentage Growth of New Members
This award is determined with statistical information based on Dec. 31. 2008, figures on file at the SBE National Office. Chapters established in 2008 are not eligible for the Greatest Growth in New Members award.
Award Recipients
2012 - Chapter 146, U.S. Virgin Islands (Class A)
2012 - Chapter 35, Kentucky (Class B)
2011 - Chapter 44, Shreveport, La. (Class A)
2011 - Chapter 25, Indianapolis, Ind. (Class B)
2010 - Chapter 136, Rio Grande, Texas (Class A)
2010 - Chapter 144, Hong Kong (Class B)
2008-09 - Chapter 19, Reno, NV (Class A)
2008-09 - Chapter 17, Minneapolis, MN (Class B)
2007 - Chapter 132, Ft. Meade, Md. (Class A)
2007 - Chapter 16, Seattle, Wash. (Class B)
2006 - Chapter 101, Columbia, S.C. (Class A)
2006 - Chapter 62, Utah (Class B)
2005 - Chapter 85, Central Western Oklahoma (Class A)
2005 - Chapter 5, Atlanta, Ga. (Class B)
2004 - Chapter 125, Mississippi (Class A)
2004 - Chapter 56, Tulsa, Okla. (Class B)
2003 - Chapter 104, Toledo, Ohio (Class A)
2003 - Chapter 59, Kansas City, Kan./Mo. (Class B)
2002 - Chapter 133, Buffalo, N.Y. (Class A)
2002 - Chapter 56, Tulsa, Okla. (Class B)
2001 - Chapter 107, Charleston, S.C. (Class A)
2001 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
2000 - Chapter 129, Wyoming (Class A)
2000 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
1999 - Chapter 133, Buffalo, N.Y. (Class A)
1999 - Chapter 56, Tulsa, Okla. (Class B)
1998 - Chapter 111, Huntsville, Ala.
1997 - Chapter 127, Southwest Florida
1996 - Chapter 44, Shreveport, La.
1995 - Chapter 87, Holdrege, Neb.
1994 - Chapter 56, Tulsa, Okla.
1993 - Chapter 125, Jackson, Miss.
1992 - Chapter 120, Lehigh Valley, Pa.
1992 - Chapter 122, Youngstown, Ohio
1991 - Chapter 105, Houston, Texas and Chapter 15 – New York, N.Y. (tie)
1990 - Chapter 111, Huntsville, Ala.
1989 - Chapter 26, Chicago, Ill.
Chapter with Highest Percentage of SBE Certified Members
This award is determined with statistical information based on Dec. 31. 2008, figures on file at the SBE National Office. Chapters established in 2008 are not eligible for the Greatest Growth in New Members award.
Award Recipients
2012 - Chapter 96, Rockford, Ill. (Class A) - tie
2012 - Chapter 118, Montgomery, Ala. (Class A) - tie
2012 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B) - tie
2012 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire (Class B) - tie
2011 - Chapter 118, Montgomery, Ala. (Class A)
2011 - hapter 131, Inland Empire (Class B)
2010 - Chapter 140, Ithaca, N.Y. (Class A)
2010 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
2008-09 - Chapter 117, Moscow, ID (Class A)
2008-09 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire (Class B)
2007 - Chapter 126, Saipan (Class A)
2007 - Chapter 131, Indland Empire (Class B)
2006 - Chapter 126, Saipan (Class A)
2006 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
2005 - Chapter 117, Palouse Clearwater, Idaho (Class A)
2005 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
2004 - Chapter 117, Palouse Clearwater, Idaho (Class A)
2004 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
2003 - Chapter 118, Montgomery, Ala. (Class A)
2003 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
2002 - Chapter 117, Palouse Clearwater, Idaho (Class A)
2002 - Chapter 118, Montgomery, Ala. (Class B)
2001 - Chapter 135, Middle Tennessee (Class A)
2001 - Chapter 118, Montgomery, Ala. (Class B)
2000 - Chapter 112, Western Wisconsin (Class A)
2000 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
1999 - Chapter 115, Southern Idaho (Class A)
1999 - Chapter 131, Inland Empire, Calif. (Class B)
1998 - Chapter 132, Fort Meade, Md.
1997 - Chapter 126, Saipan
1996 - Chapter 126, Saipan
1995 - Chapter 56, Tulsa, Okla.
1994 - Chapter 99, Bryan, Texas
1993 - Chapter 56, Tulsa, Okla.
1992 - Chapter 56, Tulsa, Okla.
1991 - Chapter 50, Fort Collins, Colo.
1990 - Chapter 99, Bryan, Texas
Chapter with Highest Percentage of Member Attendance at Meetings
This award is determined with statistical information based on Dec. 31. 2008, figures on file at the SBE National Office. Chapters established in 2008 are not eligible for the Greatest Growth in New Members award.
Award Recipients
2012 - Chapter 136, Rio Grande Valley (Class A) - tie
2012 - Chapter 145, Magic Valley, Idaho (Class A) - tie
2012 - Chapter 76, Eugene, Ore. (Class B)
2011 - Chapter 136, Rio Grande Valley (Class A)
2011 - Chapter 76, Eugene, Ore. (Class B)
2010 - Chapter 143, Mid MO, Missouri (Class A)
2010 - Chapter 76, Eugene, Ore.
2008-09 - Chapter 136, Rio Grande (Class A)
2008-09 - Chapter 56, Tulsa, Okla. (Class B)
2007 - Chapter 51, Tri Cities (Class A)
2007 - Chapter 24, Madison, Wis. (Class B)
2006 - Chapter 136, Rio Grande Valley (Class A)
2006 - Chapter 118, Montgomery, Ala. (Class B)
2005 - Chapter 81, Grand Junction, Colo. (Class A)
2005 - Chapter 103, Nashville, Tenn.(Class B)
2004 - Chapter 133, Buffalo, N.Y. (Class A)
2004 - Chapter 118, Montgomery, Ala. (Class B)
2003 - Chapter 136, Rio Grande Valley, Texas (Class A)
2003 - Chapter 113, Knoxville, Tenn. (Class B)
2002 - Chapter 136, Rio Grande Valley, Texas (Class A)
2002 - Chapter 113, Knoxville, Tenn. (Class B)
2001 - Chapter 135, Middle Tennessee (Class A)
2001 - Chapter 113, Knoxville, Tenn. (Class B)
2000 - Chapter 135, Middle Tennessee (Class A)
2000 - Chapter 58, Northeast New York (Class B)
1999 - Chapter 57, Rochester, N.Y. (Class A)
1999 - Chapter 113, Knoxville, Tenn. (Class B)
1998 - Chapter 126, Saipan
1997 - Chapter 126, Saipan
1996 - Chapter 126, Saipan
1995 - Chapter 29, Corpus Christi, Texas
1994 - Chapter 85, Central Western Oklahoma
1993 - Chapter 38, El Paso, Texas
1992 - Chapter 86, Greenville, S.C.
1991 - Chapter 50, Fort Collins, Colo.; Chapter 51, Tri-Cities, Wash.; Chapter 75,
Arkansas and Chapter 112, Western Wisconsin (tie)
1990 - Chapter 99, Bryan, Texas 1990
