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Board of Directors

The MAB Board of Directors is made up of top managers and owners from radio and television stations throughout Michigan. Officers are elected annually at the Annual Business Meeting. Directors serve three year terms.

Officers

Debbie Petersmark website

DEBBIE
PETERSMARK,

CHAIR

Vice President/General Manager, WILX-TV (Lansing)

BIO

Debbie Petersmark, Vice-Chair/Chair Elect

Debbie Petersmark serves as Vice President/General Manager of WILX Media, a Gray Television station which operates WILX-TV 10 (NBC), WILX.com, and WILX Digital. Debbie joined the station in 2000 as an Account Executive and served as General Sales Manager from 2014-2018. Prior to joining WILX, she spent 10 years with Sparrow Foundation as the manager of the Children’s Miracle Network, where she led the fundraising efforts for the Regional Children’s Center and produced an annual telethon. She serves as a board member for the American Red Cross, Mid-Michigan Chapter and on the Sparrow Foundation Board of Directors. Debbie grew up in an entrepreneurial family, working from a young age at Holden Reid Clothiers, a long-standing Lansing business founded by her grandfather.  A lifelong resident of East Lansing, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University. She and her husband Mike live in East Lansing with their three children, Andrew, Megan and Owen.

Shannone Dunlap website

SHANNONE
DUNLAP,

VICE-CHAIR/CHAIR ELECT

New Business Development Director, Black Diamond Broadcasting

BIO

Shannone Dunlap

As a career media marketing professional, I have become a student of consumer behaviors with a thirst for understanding the moment to moment movements of our listeners and populations to maximize the audiences of our radio stations and digital assets to bring the greatest return on investment for our advertising partners.

Now, working with Mike Chires and Norm McKee in Northern Michigan for Black Diamond Broadcasting, I am the New Business Development Director. Every day I work directly with our sales team to create marketing opportunities for local and regional businesses.

I don’t just work in the communities I serve; I roll my sleeves up and work hand in and with organizations through volunteerism and facilitating creative brainstorming sessions to help create opportunities that overcome challenges in retail, service and recruitment business environments. I pride myself on helping main street businesses understand the ever-changing landscape of marketing with today’s technology. Expressing the importance to businesses, that being known before the consumer needs their products or services are needed is vital to any business’s growth. Advertising through traditional media such as radio keeps them top of mind and in play to earn their customer’s business whether through foot traffic in their store on through their websites and digital marketplaces.

I am a strong leader. Dedicated to my craft who tirelessly works with conviction, ethics and a hunger to win. I am a mom of an awesome 12-year-old who is fully invested in my family, my work and my community.

Kim Krause website

KIM
KRAUSE,

SECRETARY/
TREASURER

General Manager, WXMI-TV Fox 17 (Grand Rapids)

BIO

Kim Krause

Kim Krause is currently the VP/General Manager of WXMI, a FOX affiliate and E.W. Scripps property in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Kim was named VP/General Manager of WXMI, in January 2017.

Before taking over the GM position, Kim worked as VP of Sales and Marketing for WZZM, the ABC affiliate in Grand Rapids. Prior to her position as VP Sales/Marketing, Kim was their Local Sales Manager starting June of 1998.

Before joining WZZM 13, Kim worked for one year as Local Sales Manager at WLAJ ABC 53, in Lansing, Michigan.

Kim graduated from Hope College in 1986 with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. Upon graduation, Kim spent six years as an Account Executive at WWMT Ch 3 in the West Michigan market and then was promoted to Special Projects Manager.

Kim currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan. She has also served on numerous other community boards including The Humane Society of Western Michigan and Camp Newaygo for Girls.

Kim and her husband Gary reside in East Grand Rapids along with their daughter Elle.

WENDY HART

WENDY
HART,

AT-LARGE DIRECTOR

Co-Owner, WGHN-FM (Grand Haven)

BIO

Wendy Hart, At-Large Director

Wendy Hart has spent the last 10 years as co-owner of WGHN, Inc which consists of radio stations WGHN-AM/FM and WMPA-FM in Grand Haven, Michigan. She also serves as Vice President/Director of Operations for the Spartan Sports Network in East Lansing, Michigan, a post she has held since the 1990s.

It all started for her in 1985, when she joined TBC in Chicago after the corporate media promotions company expanded into sports broadcast operations.  Within three years of joining TBC, the company merged with Rasmussen Communications Management led by Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN.  During her stint with RCM, Wendy worked in radio network operations, affiliation, and as a radio producer and writer for the University of Illinois, Purdue University, the Big Ten Conference, and the Chicago White Sox.

Following RCM, she helped co-found the Spartan Sports Network, Michigan State University’s statewide sports radio network. Wendy currently oversees broadcast operations and digital media. On weekends in the Fall, she also moonlights as a producer.  She has led the Michigan State football broadcast team for over 25 years.  Aside from SSN, management and marketing duties keep her on her toes at WGHN.

A proud member of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Wendy is a graduate of Illinois State University.

MIKE MURRI

MIKE
MURRI,

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Vice President/General Manager, WXYZ-TV/WMYD-TV (Detroit)

BIO

Mike Murri, Chair

Mike Murri began his broadcasting career as an account executive at WJBK-TV. He was hired by WXYZ as an account executive in 1982 and was promoted to local sales manager in 1996, director of sales in 2001, and station manager in 2012. In 2015, he was promoted to vice president and general manager of WXYZ and the newly acquired My Network affiliate WMYD, TV20. In 2015, Murri lead the team effort to create a new street-side studio in the heart of downtown Detroit. The studio is home to 7 Action News at noon, and connects viewers to the vibrant rebirth of the city. Under Murri’s leadership, WXYZ has continued to build on its rich history of public service and local programming. The station has syndicated its coverage of the Woodward Dream Cruise to stations across the country; advanced the multi-platform approach to storytelling with a series of ground-breaking news stories; and launched a Detroit 2020 town hall initiative. WXYZ has been named “Station of the Year” by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, top station in the Detroit market by the Michigan chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and honored as a finalist in the National Association of Broadcasters Service to America Awards. Murri is a board member of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Forgotten Harvest, the Woodward Dream Cruise, and the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. He lives in Rochester Hills with his wife Mary and has three children; Lauren, Katie and Michael.

Sam Klemet

SAM
KLEMET,

President/CEO, MAB, and Executive Director, MAPB

BIO

Sam Klemet

Sam Klemet is MAB’s President/CEO, succeeding retiring President/CEO Karol L. White in January, 2022.

Mr. Klemet rose out of 38 applicants to be the number one choice of the MAB Transition committee for the position. Mr. Klemet has a unique combination of skills coming from a broadcasting background working in radio, television and public radio as well as serving five years with the Indiana Broadcasters Association. He has worked in both commercial and public broadcasting and association management.

Mr. Klemet joined the MAB as CEO/President-elect in 2021 from his role at Director of Member Services for the Indiana Broadcasters Association. A Michigan native, he graduated from Michigan State University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honors in Broadcast Journalism.

Directors

Julie Brinks website

JULIE
BRINKS

Vice-President/General Manager, WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids)

BIO

Julie Brinks

Brinks has accumulated over 30 years of experience in local and national sales management, local programming and content, new business development, operations and strategic planning across multiple media platforms. Prior to joining Nexstar, Brinks served as General Manager of KOHD-TV (ABC) and KBNZ-LD (CBS) in Bend, Oregon, where she focused on brand development, local content leadership and excellence in viewer and client experience. During her tenure, she oversaw the launch of the stations’ news programming, managing all aspects of local branding, creative development, news set construction and talent recruitment.

Brinks has also held a position as Principal Consultant for Vici Media where she provided strategic direction, digital marketing and revenue development services to broadcast groups and individual stations as well as VP / General Manager of KGUN-TV (ABC), KWBA-TV (CW) and four radio properties in Tucson-Sierra Vista, Arizona. Additionally, she served as VP / General Manager of WPBN-TV (NBC) and WTOM-TV (NBC) in Traverse City- Cadillac, Michigan, where she developed and led highly effective teams and implemented sales, marketing and digital media initiatives.

Brinks earned her Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University and is also a graduate of the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation’s Broadcast Leadership Training (BLT) program. She has been a member of Rotary International and served on numerous community boards including the American Red Cross, Junior Achievement and City Club of Bend. She also worked as Chair of American Heart Association’s “Go Red” for Women and was a founding member of Haven Totes, Inc., a Tucson-based organization that provides life essentials for children and families in need.

FRED CORBUS

FRED
CORBUS

General Manager, WWMT-TV (Kalamazoo)

BIO

Fred Corbus

Fred Corbus is Vice President/General Manager of WWMT – TV CBS/CW7 in Kalamazoo. He began his career at WWMT-TV in the early 90’s as an account executive in sales. After several promotions, and more than a decade later, Corbus left the station to serve as Director of Sales at WOOD/WOTV/WXSP-TV in Grand Rapids and then at WXYZ-TV in Detroit. He returned to WWMT-TV in 2015.

A Kalamazoo native, Corbus holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in management from Western Michigan University. In 2018, he became an officer of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ Political Action Committee. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Southwest Michigan First, an economic catalyst organization which promotes business growth in the region.

Fred and his wife Lynne live in Portage.

Marci Daniels

MARCI DANIELS

Vice President/General Manager, WLNS-TV (Lansing)

BIO

Marci Daniels

 
Dave Doetsch

DAVE
DOETSCH

President and General Manager, Mid-West Family Broadcasting (Benton Harbor)

BIO

Dave Doetsch

Dave Doetsch has spent his entire career in the world of media, marketing, and advertising.  Beginning in the fall of 1991 behind the microphone as a radio deejay at KWNO AM1230 in Winona, Minnesota.  Then Dave added to his responsibilities by jumping into the marketing and advertising sales side of the business while remaining on the air. 

By the age of 24 Dave made the move to Mankato, Minnesota, stepping into his first management role as sales manager at KEEZ FM.  Dave rose in the radio management ranks after moving to Michigan, North Dakota, and Illinois.  Then, in 2010 Dave seized the opportunity and became president and general manager of Mid-West Family operations in Michigan.  He now also serves as president of Mid-West Family operations in Indiana and Missouri.  Outside of work Dave loves to golf, read, and spend time working on his latest commissioned art project.

Rob David website

ROB
DAVID

President / General Manager, Handyman Productions (Novi)

BIO

Rob David

Robert David’s career in the radio broadcasting industry spans four decades, all of them in Michigan. He is currently the President / General Manager of Handyman Productions, a radio program syndication and marketing firm working with various radio talk programs around the country. The company had previously produced and distributed the award-winning ‘Handyman Show with Glenn Haege’ in Michigan and across the country. This followed an extensive radio broadcasting sales and management career as a Radio Account Executive in Flint; followed by positions in broadcast sales, management and station ownership in the Detroit market.

His involvement with MAB includes serving as a current MAB board member, former chairperson of the MAB Foundation Board, as well as, former chair of the annual Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference (GLBC) [now Great Lakes Media Show]. He has traveled to Washington, DC, on several occasions as part of the MAB “Call on Congress,” and is presently a member of the MAB-Political Action Committee board.

Rob was the inaugural recipient of the “MAB Associate of the Year” award in 2006 and inducted into the Michigan Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame in 2017. Rob is a proud graduate of Michigan State University and was named an ‘Outstanding Alumnus’ by the Eli Broad College of Business and was presented with the prestigious ‘MSU Alumni Service Award’ for his service and support of the University.

Outside of broadcasting, he is a recent graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy, and the Novi Ambassador Academy.  Lastly, Mr. David is a
member of the Consular Corps of Michigan having been appointed as the Honorary Consul for Grenada. The Honorable Robert David and his wife, Marcia, reside in Novi.

rob davidek2

ROB
DAVIDEK

Program/News Director, WWJ-AM, Audacy (Detroit)

BIO

Rob Davidek

Rob Davidek has been the news director at WWJ Newsradio 950, Michigan’s only all-news radio station, since 2007 and picked up the additional duties of brand manager in 2013.  Along with  He joined WWJ in July 1993 as a part-time producer and has worked as morning drive producer, assignment editor and assistant news director.  Before WWJ, he worked at WKZO in Kalamazoo and WMSH in Sturgis.  He is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in broadcasting and cinematic arts. He lives in Livonia.
J. GREG EASTERLY

J. GREG
EASTERLY

General Manager, WJBK-TV (Detroit)

BIO

J. Greg Easterly

Greg Easterly is SVP/General Manager of WJBK Fox2, a market ratings leader in Detroit, Michigan. As a longtime broadcast executive, Easterly has experience as a major market general manager and also corporate experience as SVP of Group Operations for Tribune Media, where he was responsible for the strategic leadership of 15 television markets.

He has served as General Manager at WPIX in New York, WGN in Chicago and WJW in Cleveland responsible for all aspects of station operations. Prior to that, Easterly was Vice-President of News at WJW, one of the top performing Fox affiliates in the country. During his tenure the station was recognized with numerous awards for community service, news coverage and investigative journalism, including an Alfred I. duPont Columbia University award, IRE Medal for Investigative reporting, National Headliner Award and multiple Emmy awards.

Easterly’s career began in various small market television stations in Texas and Oklahoma. A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Easterly earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

KEN FRIERSON

KEN
FRIERSON

Vice President & General Manager, WNEM-TV (Saginaw)

BIO

Ken Frierson

Kenneth H. Frierson, Jr. is a visionary leader in the broadcast industry with over 30 years of sales and managerial experience and currently serves as the Vice President & General Manager  Manager at WNEM TV5 in Saginaw. Under Frierson’s leadership, the station has consistently exceeded revenue goals and is the market leader in broadcast revenue.

Frierson, who is a Dale Carnegie graduate, has trained and developed numerous account executives during his tenure. He has received many professional awards, including New Business Sales and Salesperson of the Year, and he was named among the 2006 Who’s Who in Black Detroit. Frierson is an advocate for fairness and equality in broadcasting.

A native of Saginaw, Frierson received a bachelor of science degree in speech communications from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He has led broadcast sales team both locally and nationally across the nation, including Detroit, Peoria, Ill., and Syracuse, N.Y.

Frierson resides in Grand Blanc with his wife Alicia and has three sons.

Colleen Grant

COLLEEN 
GRANT

Market President, iHeartMedia (Detroit)

BIO

Colleen Grant

 

Zach Huffman Web

ZACHARY 
HUFFMAN

President and CEO,
Hyvion

BIO

Zachary Huffman

Zachary Huffman is the Founder and CEO of Hyvion, a drone service provider working with media groups throughout the country to elevate their perspective. Zach is a journalist by education and an aviation enthusiast at heart: reporting live from the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games, flying cross country in his Cessna 172 and flying drones for media companies such as ESPN, The NFL Network and Gray Television. He's a certificated pilot, Part 107 drone operator and a licensed airport administrator. His work has been recognized by the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists and National Association of Broadcasters. 

Robin Kinnie website

ROBIN
KINNIE

President/CEO, Audio Engineers of Detroit (Detroit)

BIO

Robin Kinnie

Robin Kinnie serves as President of Motor City Woman Studios, an audio post-production company and Audio Engineers of Detroit, an audio engineering trade school and recording studio. Her service for others extends to volunteering as an Advisory Board Member for Y Arts, the arts and humanities branch of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit PAL and Soundgirls.org. Robin is dedicated to creating a platform for underrepresented voices in broadcasting and podcasting. She has contributed to the Podcast Business Journal and published “The Top 10 Mistakes New Podcasters Make” and “The Motor City Woman Planner for New Podcasters” both available on motorcitywoman.com

She holds an undergraduate degree from the Eli Broad College of Business and a Masters’ degree in higher, adult, lifelong education from Michigan State University. Robin has been recognized by Walker’s Legacy as part of the ‘Top 25 Women Leading In the Detroit Community’, the Association for Women in Communications, a Diversity Business Leader by Corp! Magazine and was honored to be selected to be part of Pandora’s “Pass the Mic”, a campaign that celebrates women within the audio industry.

Julie Koehn_400x400

JULIE
KOEHN

President/CEO, Lenawee Broadcasting Company (Adrian)
NAB Radio Representative

BIO

Julie Koehn

Julie Koehn is the President and CEO of Lenawee Broadcasting Company of Southeast Michigan in Adrian, a licensee of WLEN, 96.5 The Cave, WQTE, and WABJ. 

Julie graduated from Michigan State University in 1985 with degrees in both Industrial and Labor Relations and Political Science. 

Industry Experience: 

**District 13 representative (MI) to the National Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors from 2009 to 2015 and 2023-Present.

**Board of Directors of the International Broadcasters Idea Bank, President (2018-Present)

**Board of Directors of the NAB Leadership Foundation (2015-Present)

**Board of Directors of the RAB (2023-Present)

**Member of the RAB Sales Advisory Committee (2016-Present) (Co-Chair, 2016-2020)  

**Chair of the NAB Small and Medium Market Radio Committee (2018-Present)

**Michigan Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors (2002-2007) having served as chairman in 2005-2006. 

**MAB Foundation (2007-2014) having served as chairman of the foundation in 2012-2013. 

**Faculty member of the NAB Education Foundation Broadcast Leadership Training Academy (2010-2018).

**Trustee MAB Political Action Committee 2007-2015

**Inducted into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2012

**Received the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.     

**Featured and panel speaker on small market radio at multiple National Association of Broadcasters and Radio Advertising Bureau annual conferences.

**Station accomplishments include five NAB Crystal Radio Awards, the NAB Crystal Heritage Award, five NAB Education Foundation Service to America Awards, four NAB Marconi Awards, two for AC Station of the Year and two for Small Market Station of the Year.   WLEN has been MAB Station of the Year for Sixteen of the last Eighteen years in Market 3.

Local Achievements: 

**Board of Directors and Past Chair of ATHENA Lenawee (current)

**Board of Directors and VP of the Pleasant Grove Hotel Historical Society (current)

**Board of Directors, Adrian Schools Educational Foundation (current)

**Past board member of the Devil's Lake Yacht Club (serving as their first female Commodore in 2011)

**Past positions: HOPE Community Center Board of Directors, the Lenawee County Chamber of Commerce (serving as their first female chair), Catholic Charities, Lenawee Humane Society and the Salvation Army. 

**ATHENA International Leadership Award recipient 2005

**Zonta of Lenawee Amelia Earhart Award recipient 2012

**Adrian Schools Distinguished Alumni Award recipient 2012

**Lenawee County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award 2000

**Lenawee County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year 1993

Jamie Mankiewicz website

JAMIE MANKIEWICZ

Executive Producer, NEWSnet Media
(Cadillac)

BIO

Jamie Mankiewicz

Jamie Mankiewicz is excited to join the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors, and help grow and foster fellow journalists throughout the state.

Jamie grew up in Sault Ste. Marie. Her career began as a volunteer camera operator at WNMU while attending Northern Michigan University in Marquette, which quickly grew into a love of broadcasting.

As a Wildcat, she was active in “Public Eye News” at WNMU-TV.

Jamie then spent 15+ years at WWTV in hard news, then in 2018 co-created the station’s award-winning lifestyle show, “The Four.”

In 2022, she began a new role as a freelance executive producer for NEWSnet.

Jamie lives in Cadillac with her husband Jeff, their three sons, Jack, Parker and Liam, and their lab, Mackinac.

 
Steve Radant website

STEVE
RADANT

Vice-President/Station Manager, Barry Broadcasting (Hastings)

BIO

Steve Radant

Rick Rhoades website

RICK
RHOADES

Vice President/General
Manager, WLUC-TV
(Marquette)

BIO

Rick Rhoades

Rick Rhoades is the current Vice President/General Manager of WLUC-TV in Marquette, Michigan. Rick has been working at WLUC since 2003 serving as an account executive for 7 years becoming one of the top producing account executives in Local Direct and New Business Revenue. In 2010, Rick was promoted to Local Sales Manager and then promoted again to the General Sales Manager a few years later. In 2017, Rick was named Vice President/General Manager and still holds that position today.

Rick is very active in the community serving on several local boards and is a leading advocate for the Upper Peninsula region. Rick and his wife Jamie have been married for 20 years and they have 2 daughters. Morgan, who is a sophomore at Northern Michigan University and Delanie who is a freshman at Marquette Senior Highschool. The Rhoades family enjoys vacationing in Riveria Maya, Mexico each fall.

Jennifer Theodore website

JENNIFER THEODORE

Owner, Up North Radio, LLC (Cadillac)

BIO

Jennifer Theodore

MARK THOMAS

MARK
THOMAS

Market Manager, Alpha Media (Saginaw)

BIO

Mark Thomas

Amador Velasquez website

AMADOR
VELASQUEZ

Director of Technology
WDIV-TV (Detroit)

BIO

Amador Velasquez

Amador Velasquez is the Director of Technology for WDIV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Detroit, a Graham Media Group television station. He took over the role in November of 2020. Before coming to Detroit, he was the Broadcast Technology Manager at WCAU-TV, the NBC Owned Television Station in Philadelphia, PA from 2014 to 2020. Prior to that he worked for News Press & Gazette stations KTVZ-TV in Bend, OR (2007 to 2014) and KECY-TV in Yuma, AZ (2000 to 2007).

Before starting a career in Broadcast Engineering, he served in the US Army Signal Corp as a 31R Multi-channel Transmission Systems Operator/Maintainer from 1995 to 1999 and was stationed in Ft. Drum, NY as part of the 10th Mountain Division. Amador is the Professional Development Director on the Executive Board for the Detroit chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). He is also the Chair of his company’s Hispanic/Latinx Employee Resource Group, GMG Unidos. Amador lives in Rochester Hills, MI with his wife and their two children.

BRIAN WATSON

BRIAN
WATSON

Vice-President/General Manager, WWJ-TV/WKBD-TV (Detroit)

BIO

Brian Watson

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