MAB Lifetime Achievement Award
In 1989, the MAB began the tradition of honoring individuals for their outstanding careers with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The highest honor bestowed by the MAB, Lifetime Achievement Award recipients are Michigan broadcast pioneers who have dedicated the majority of their professional careers to broadcasting in the state of Michigan and have distinguished themselves through a lifetime of service as a top manager or owner through excellence in broadcasting in state, national or international industry leadership; service on the MAB, NAB or other industry organizational boards; community involvement; and industry innovation.
Nominations are accepted year round with voting annually each May. Awards are presented at the MAB's Summer Leadership Conference in August.
2024


Tom Bender
Greater Media, Inc.
2023


Steve Schram
Michigan Radio, WUOM
2022


Karole L. White
MAB
2021


Ed Love
WDET-FM (Detroit)
2020


Debbie Kenyon
Entercom Detroit
2019


Bruce Goldsen
Jackson Radio Works
2019


Sue Goldsen
Jackson
Radio Works
2018


Michael Walenta
WGVU
Public Media
2017


Marla Drutz
WDIV-TV
(Detroit)
2016


Julie Koehn
Lenawee Broadcasting Company
2015


Jeanne Findlater
WXYZ-TV
(Detroit)
2014


Mario Iacobelli
Heritage Broadcasting Company
2013


Thomas Scanlan
Scanlan Communications Group
2012


Edward K. Christian
Saga Communications
2011


Gary A. Reid
Michigan State University
2010


P. Thomas “Tom” Bryson
WJRT-TV (Flint)
2009


Specs Howard
Specs Howard School of Media Arts
2008


2007


Ross Biederman
Midwestern Broadcasting Company
2006


John Wismer
Wismer Broadcasting
2005


Alan Frank
Post-Newsweek Stations
2004


Nancy Waters
WCXT-FM (Hart)
2003


Jerry Colvin
LIN Michigan Broadcasting
WOTV-TV (Battle Creek/Kalamazoo)
2002


Lester Biederman
Midwestern Communications
2002


Joe Blake
WZAM-AM/WMQT-FM (Marquette)
2001


Bill Schroeder
Time Life Broadcasting, Inc./
WOOD-AM/FM/TV
(Grand Rapids)
2000


Ken MacDonald, Sr.
MacDonald Broadcasting
1999


Robert G. Liggett, Jr.
Liggett Broadcasting
1998


Verna Green
WJLB-FM/WMXD-FM (Detroit)
1997


Charles “Chuck” Fritz
Fritz Broadcasting
1994


J.P. McCarthy
WJR-AM (Detroit)
1993


James H. Quello
Federal Communications Commission
1992


Ernie Harwell
Detroit Tigers
1991


Michael O. Lareau
WOOD-AM/FM
(Grand Rapids)
1990


Carl E. Lee
Feltzer Broadcasting
1989


George H. Williams
WKBD-TV (Detroit)