The Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award
The Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Awards was named after Carl E. Lee, a prominent Michigan broadcast engineer and station owner, who was known for his innovation and recognition of opportunity. Broadcast engineers work diligently to ensure the integrity of our airwaves. For those who have exercised their skills and innovations for the advancement of technology, this is our opportunity to say “you’re outstanding”.
Two awards may be given each year – one to a radio engineer and one to a television engineer. In 2023, the awards were presented during Beer & Bull at the Great Lakes Media Show, in Lansing, March 14-15.
Candidates for the Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award must have been an employee, officer, or owner of any company, subsidiary or division whose primary business is broadcasting, or is directly in support of radio or television station in Michigan. The size of the organization with which each candidate is affiliated is not a determining factor. The merits of the contributions to broadcast engineering are the sole factors to be taken into account.
Candidates for the Awards shall have made contributions in one or more of the following categories:
- Development of new technologies
- Dissemination of technical knowledge and literature
- Leadership in broadcast engineering affairs
- Mentoring or coaching in the engineering field outside of the workplace
- Inventions
- Any outstanding contribution which warrants consideration
About Carl E. Lee: Lee began his broadcast career as an engineer after graduation from the Michigan Academy of Radio Science in 1939. He rose through the ranks of management and in 1985 acquired ownership of Fetzer Broadcasting Services Inc. At that time Fetzer Broadcasting was comprised of WKZO Radio – Kalamazoo, WJFM – Grand Rapids, WKJF-AM/FM – Cadillac and Muzitronic Services, Inc.
Lee was presented with the MAB’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. He passed away February 22, 2015 at age 96.
2025 Radio Recipient
Brian Brachel
Chief Engineer, Interlochen Public Radio (Interlochen)
This year's Carl E. Lee Engineering Excellence Award for radio is presented to Brian Brachel. Brian began his technical career at Spectra Physics as a Field Service Engineer in 1980, working on High Power CO2 Lasers. He joined IPR in 2023 with over 40 years of high power technology and broadcast experience, most recently with MacDonald Garber Broadcasting where he started in 1996 and was responsible for the technical operation of all their 9 radio stations and 5 translators.
Brian is also Del Reynolds assistant engineer at Black Diamond Broadcasting. During his time with MacDonald Garber, Trish Garber donated Brian's time to work with Fr. Harry Speckman. Together, they designed and built out the technical facilities for the 5 station group of Baraga Broadcasting, Catholic Radio for Northern Michigan.
He has gathered a wealth of experience in FM/AM broadcast systems, field measurements, FCC/FAA regulations and compliance, as well as in-studio operations with automation, computer, and network systems. Brian credits this knowledge to many people in the industry. His best friend Del Reynolds and Ed Trombley formally of Munn-Reese, to name just a few.
His enthusiasm for his work and doing it with excellence make Brian a wonderful asset as he now keeps Interlochen Public Radio on the airwaves. Brian had also served as a part time Marine Deputy and Court Officer in the Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office for 15 years.
2025 TV Recipient
Dave Mann
Director of Broadcast Technology, WKAR Public Media (East Lansing)
This year's Carl E. Lee Engineering Excellence Award for television goes to Dave Mann, Director of Broadcast Technology for WKAR Public Media. Dave Mann is an accomplished leader in broadcast technology and engineering, with over 30 years of experience spanning engineering, production, integration, and technical operations. Currently, he serves as the Director of Broadcast Technology at WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University, where he oversees all engineering and broadcast operations for both television and radio, as well as managing research and transition to ATSC 3.0.
Dave's broadcasting career began at Western Michigan University, where he was a founding member of Western Student Television (WSTV). His career has since encompassed a wide range of roles across various organizations. Notable positions include Chief Engineer at ION Media Network's flagship station, WCPX-TV in Chicago; Director of Production & Technology at the Northeast Sports Network in Lyndonville, VT; Broadcast Engineer/Transmission Operator at Chicago’s NBC O&O, WMAQ-TV; Director, Producer, Editor, and Broadcast Technician at Weigel Broadcasting’s WCIU-TV, WFBT-TV, and WBND-TV; Director, Technical Director, MCO, and Production Technician at WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo; and freelance work providing expertise ranging from grip to Director/Producer, as well as integration and engineering services for high-profile clients such as WGN-TV, WCAX-TV, WFLD-TV, Harpo Studios, Astropolitan Pictures, Little Wing Films, Vi’s Basement Productions, IBEW Local 1220, NABET Local 41, and major sports teams including the Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls.
Dave has also contributed his skills to projects for the University of Vermont, Dartmouth, Middlebury College, Northwestern University, Motorola, Abbott Labs, Lake Monsters Baseball, HB Communications, and United Visual Aids, further showcasing his diverse expertise across the broadcast and media industries.
Previous Recipients of the Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Award:
| 1997...Larry Estlack 2001...John F.X. Browne 2002...Carl W. Onken 2003...Eugene “Gene” Wiczak 2004...Edwin Buterbaugh 2005...Helge Blucher 2006...Michael Bradford (R) 2006...Marcus Williams (TV) 2007...Del Reynolds (R) 2007...Michael Doback (TV) 2008...Jerry L. Martin (R) 2008...Lowell Shore (TV) 2009...Greg Urbiel (R) 2009...Dale Scholten (TV) 2010...Ed Trombley (R) 2010...John Grover (TV) |
2011...Ralph Haines (R)
2011...Michael Laemers (TV)
2012...David E. Gale (R)
2012...Michael E. Winsky (TV)
2013...Bob Lumbert (R)
2013...Chris Arnaut (TV)
2014...Geary S. Morrill (R)
2014...Gary Blievernicht (TV)
2015...Robert L. Friedle (R)
2015...Chuck Mikowski (TV)
2016...Don Missad (R)
2016...Wayne Henderson (TV)
2017...Craig Bowman (R)
2017...David Oliver (TV)
2018...Tom Bosscher (R)
2019...Richard Paul Grzebik (R-TV)
2019...Gary Harding (R)
2020...Coral Howe (R)
2020...Frank Maynard (TV)
2021...Keith Bosworth (R)
2021...Darel Vanderhoof (TV)
2022...Mark Wittkoski (R)
2022...Brian Kusch (TV)
2023...Walker Sisson (R)
2023...John Azar (TV)
2024...Dave Grant (R)
2024...David Maidson (TV)
2025...Brian Brachel (R)
2025...Dave Mann (TV)