We are a non-profit professional organization of radio and television engineers who build, repair and update radio and television broadcast facilities. Most Chapter 17 members are from Minnesota and Wisconsin. We meet to exchange ideas and increase skill level. All broadcast engineers and interested people are welcome.
Broadcast engineers and families get together for a summer picnic in June and a holiday party in December every year. COVID has put a dent in that kind of gathering recently! Meetings are online until further notice.
Broadcast engineers and families get together for a summer picnic in June and a holiday party in December every year. COVID has put a dent in that kind of gathering recently! Meetings are online until further notice.
THE TEAM OF SBE CHAPTER 17 LEADERSHIP
Chairman - Joe Niffen, CBNT
Vice Chairman - Nathan Hart, CSTE
Secretary - Joe Conlon, CSTE Joe is the Engineering Manager for Town Square Television (TST) in Inver Grove Heights, MN working there full-time since 1997, but has been involved with TST since 1988. In addition his day job, Joe does freelance work to assist other TV studios with maintenance and planning for system replacements. Joe enjoys TV engineering so much he has volunteered to help with a small TV studio on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia since 1993. Nice when you can go to the beach after doing TV work!
Treasurer - Jon Blomstrand, CPBE I have been in broadcasting engineering for 40 years and most of that time in the Twin Cities. In that time I’ve had the opportunity to work for several groups in the market and in others. Broadcasting has changed tremendously over the years. With the changes comes opportunities to learn new things and work with some really cool toys.
Certification - George Werl, CPBE
Webmaster - Mark Persons CPBE, AMD, CBNT. Mark retired in 2017 after a lifetime of radio broadcast engineering and 40 years as a contractor. He built twelve new radio stations along the way and rebuilt countless others. Chapter 17 nominated Mark and national SBE confirmed him as Engineer of the Year in 2018. Then Mark was honored by the national SBE Lifetime Achievement Award. He currently mentors four broadcast engineers, is a member of the National Radio Systems Committee and helps others with volunteer activities. teki@mwpersons.com
Join the SBE, an organization with 114 chapters and 4500 members world-wide.
