A tree blocked the exhaust vent of the generator that powered corporate headquarters, prior to its removal.
NAPLES, Fla. � Beasley Broadcast has had quite the busy week. Its engineering team in Florida and Georgia has been hard at work restoring stations in the wake of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irma, where the motto is clearly �all hands on deck.�
The company�s Naples headquarters experienced a hitch in its disaster recovery plan when a tree fell on its emergency generator �no surprise, given that the area experienced wind gusts of more than 140 MPH during the storm! Chief Technology Officer /Vice President of Engineering Mike Cooney used a chainsaw to remove it and ensure that the generator continued to provide power.
Also on hand were Regional Engineering/Corp Projects Manager Lamar Smith and Corporate Network Manager Ron Randall. Charlotte�s Nick Pinto also helped remotely.
Cooney and Smith also had difficulty accessing a transmitter site for two stations in Ft. Myers. The two trekked more than a mile and a half after they encountered a washed out road, during which time Cooney claims �they scared an alligator or two.�
Cooney and Smith were also tasked with helping to get the Ft. Myers stations back on the air.
The company also says Boca Raton Chief Engineer Don Mansfield deserves kudos for getting his stations back on the air, as do Tampa�s Steve Wright and his staff, who only had one station go off the air. When the storm headed north to Georgia, Augusta Chief Engineer Charlie McCoy was ready and was able to quickly get three stations back on the air after they experienced power issues.
Even Angel Roman, part of the local accounts payable staff, pitched in and helped to get the corporate office up and running.
Does you station have stories about recovering from Hurricane Irma or other storms? We want to hear them � send an email to[email protected].
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