The applause and a standing ovation lasted more than a full minute after Charlie Morgan resigned his position as chairman of the National Radio Systems Committee here in Las Vegas.
Reporters were given special permission to be in the room during that part of Saturday’s meeting.
The official announcement from NAB and CEA says Morgan held the position with the standards group for more than 20 years; but when I asked him how long he had been chairman of the group, he said 24 to 26 years.
Although he will still participate in NRSC activities, Charlie said it was time to relinquish the chairman’s chair because he believes strongly that the person who holds the position should “be employed in the industry on a full-time basis.” Morgan had worked for Susquehanna Radio for 46 years when it was sold last year and has referred to himself as semi-retired.
In his speech in a crowded Hilton meeting room, he said, “I have served as your chairman for well over 20 years and have seen the adoption of AM transmission standards, RDS, and most recently, the IBOC digital radio standards. The NRSC has not only set standards, but has become a venue for industry dialogue on various technical issues, most recently, the surround sound recommendations. I have enjoyed my role as your chairman and I thank all of you and particularly the representatives of our sponsors, the NAB and CEA for your help and support.”
Charlie has formed a consultancy called Morgan Associates, based in the Scranton, Pa., area. He told me if a company needs a representative at the NRSC or to have a systems evaluation, he can help.
The NRSC remains in familiar hands. Milford Smith now becomes chairman of the group, leaving his gig as co-chair of the Digital Radio Broadcasting Subcommittee, a role he held for 10 years. Andy Laird takes Smitty’s place on that subcommittee.
