Radio engineering veteran Gregory Urbiel has been honored by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.
He received the Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award. Urbiel is director of engineering for Saga Communications in Detroit; he began his career as a radio engineer in 1969 at WCAR(AM/FM) in that city; he helped design and move WWJ(AM/FM) and WYST (WJOI) to their current studios in Southfield, Mich.
“Since then Greg has worked for CBS Radio in New York and ABC Radio in Detroit before finding his current home at Saga Communications,” the association stated. “He has also served as a member on the Engineering Committee for the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Southeast Michigan Operations Area Emergency Broadcast Coordinating Committee.” The association also honored Dale Scholten, chief engineer of WXMI(TV) in Grand Rapids.
The MAB then saluted Don Backus of ENCO Systems with its Associate of the Year Award.
“Don is a long-time supporter and member of the MAB,” stated Karole White, MAB President and CEO. “Through his dedication and volunteer efforts, Don has not only been an asset to other broadcasters, but has been integral in MAB community outreach efforts.”
Backus is VP of sales and marketing at ENCO Systems, manufacturer of digital audio systems. He has been an associate member of the MAB and has served on its board for eight years; he helped found the MAB Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference and has served on the MAB engineering committee, annual convention committee and MAB board of directors as its first associate representative.
