I love my job. Our grads continue to give me reasons to get up in the morning. One of the many cool things about working at Specs Howard School is actually hearing or seeing grads interact with other grads on the radio or television.
Just recently, I caught an exchange on WDET 101.9 FM between Pat Batchellor and Rob Morrosi. Pat is WDET's afternoon news anchor and Ross is the media relations director for the Michigan Department of Transportation. Both are grads.
The two of them were talking about the numerous road construction projects underway in Southeast Michigan, and while I’m not a fan of road construction, I thought it was fantastic to hear them talk about it.
Speaking of roads, I was in Lansing visiting employers last week, including the Citadel group under good friend Rob Striker, and was able to re-connect with Brent Alberts, Chris Reynold and J.J. McCrae -- some of Michigan’s finest program directors (PDs).
I also dropped in to see WLNS-TV News Director, Phil Hendrix and topped off the visit at MacDonald Broadcasting to visit with GM Rick Sarata and Program Directors, Brant Johnson and Scott Loomis.
When I got back, I heard from grad Mike Wheeler. He has a new job as PD of 92.9-Dave FM in Atlanta. So he sends me a run-down of his air staff, and what to my wondering eyes doth appear, but Margot Smith! I haven't heard from her since she left WGRD in Grand Rapids ages ago. She's extraordinarily talented and I'm delighted she's doing well.
It was very cool to receive the latest newsletter from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and see that not one, but two of our favorite grads have been elected to the organization’s board of directors! Al Blinke, Vice President and General Manager of WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and Bob Peters, Vice President and General Manager of WCZY-FM in Mt. Pleasant, are highly respected members of our industry and I am extremely proud of them both.
The mayor of Houston, Texas, is apparently proud of one of our grads too. Roger Beatty graduated from Specs Howard School in 1979. He and his morning show partner, Dean, recently celebrated ten years on the air at classic rock station, KKRW.
To commemorate the occasion, April 27, 2007 was named "Dean & Rog Day," and the mayor presented them with an official proclamation during their live broadcast at Houston’s Hard Rock Café. Roger and Dean have been a morning team for 20 years after getting together at WIOG in Saginaw.
I’d like to offer my congratulations to Bob Daniels as he joins Blue Water Technologies as operations director. Blue Water does event staging, equipment sales and rentals, and other hi-tech presentations. And last, but not least, I was really glad to hear that Joe Adams of MetroTraffic has joined Ross Marosso manning the Local 4 helicopter. Ross is WDIV's air borne news reporter and Joe is now their Morning Traffic person.
I think that's all for this one, folks. You've got to save me something to get up for tomorrow morning! Send me a line!
Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens (center) was among the VIPs to attend a party for grad Roger Beatty (far right) and his morning show partner Dean (left) commemorating their 10th anniversary at the station.
