BROADCAST PIONEERS: The Oral History Project

Jacksonville broadcast pioneers collage

Unfortunately, first-person accounts from some of Jacksonville’s earliest broadcasters were not recorded for posterity. Determined not to let more of their stories disappear, former WJXT editorial director and Jacksonville Broadcasters Association founder Harry Reagan began videotaping oral histories of many of Jacksonville’s pioneering broadcasters.

Over the last two decades, other JBA members, including John Harrell, Mary Jo Trenkler, Howard Kelley, Mike Lyons and Angela Spears, have continued to record interviews with this market’s legendary radio and television broadcasters.

Their recollections and colorful tales tell an impressive story of broadcasting’s contributions to this community. In this growing collection of interviews, you’ll gain insight into the men and women who set the stage for the ever-evolving roles of their mediums.

While many of the interviewees are familiar faces, you will also meet broadcasters from behind the scenes. Early interviews were made in association with the Jacksonville Historical Society. In more recent years, we have enjoyed an association with the University of North Florida for providing production resources.

With each new generation of committed broadcasters, the project continues. New oral histories are added each year, so keep checking back for new faces.

Ken Amaro
Ken Amaro
WTLV (Channel 12)
News Reporter
"12 On Your Side"
Virginia Atter Keys
Virginia Atter Keys
WMBR/WJXT-TV
WTLV-TV, WJAX-AM

Host, Entertainer
Ed Bell
Ed "Bell" Oberle
WIVY-AM,
WKTZ-AM/FM

Executive, Commentator
Windsor Bissell
Windsor Bissell
WMBR/WJXT
(Channel 4)
Production Director
Jerry Campbell
Jerry Campbell
TV Channels 4, 12,
25, 30 & 47

Sales Manager
Arthur Crofton
Arthur Crofton
WEJZ/Lite 96.1
Morning Radio Host

AJ Davis
A.J. Davis
WAPE/Cox Media
Radio Personality

Norm Davis
Norm Davis
WMBR/WJXT
(Channel 4)
Production Director
Donna Deegan
Donna Deegan
WTLV (Channel 12)
News Anchor

John Ferree
Honest John Ferree
WAPE
Radio Personality

Glen Fisher
Glen Fisher
WTLV (12), WJKS (17)
WJXT (4), WJCT (89.9)
Radio Personality
Deborah Gianoulis (Heald)
Deborah Gianoulis
(Heald)

WTLV (12), WJXT (4)
News Anchor
Herb Gold
Herb Gold
WFGA/WTLV (12),
WJKS (17)
Broadcast Operations
John Harrell
John Harrell
WAIA-FM, WQIK-FM,
WIVY-FM

Media Geek
Howard Kelly
Howard Kelley
WPDQ-AM,
WFGA/WTLV
(12)
News Director, VP/GM
Paige Kelton
Paige Kelton
WJAX (47)/WFOX (30)
News Anchor, Investigative
Reporter
Sam Kouvaris
Sam Kouvaris
WJXT
(Channel 4)
Sports Director
Marsha Ladendorf
Marcia Ladendorff
CNN, WTLV (12), UNF
News Anchor,
University Instructor
David Lamm
David Lamm
Times-Union, WTLV (12), WFYV-FM, Sun Network
Sports Commentator
David Luckin
David Luckin
WJKS (17), WJCT (89.9)
Photojournalist, Promotions,
Music, Program Manager
Jade Luthi
Jade Luthi
WFYV-FM
(Rock 105)
Radio Personalty
Jim Lynagh
James Lynagh
WJXT-TV
(Channel 4)
General Manager
Willie Martin
Willie Martin
WOBS
Radio Personality

Newman Martindale
Newman Martindale
WJHP Radio, WMBR TV,
Voice of America
Broadcast Engineer
Ernie Mastroianni
Ernie Mastroianni
WJXT (4), WTLV (12)
Investigative Reporter,
News Anchor
Mike Miller
Mike Miller
WOKV-AM
Radio Personality,
Former President of JBA
Butch Peiker
Butch Peiker
WPDQ & WJAX Radio
Personality,
Newscaster
Harry Reagan
Harry Reagan
WJXT (Channel 4)
Editorial Director, Founder & First President of JBA
Freddie Rhodes
Freddie Rhodes
WCGL-AM, WJXT-TV
Radio's "Dr. Love,"
TV Floor Director
Don Ritter
Don Ritter
WKTZ-AM/FM
Radio Personality

Marshall Rowland
Marshall Rowland
WQIK-AM/FM
Radio Group Owner,
Personality
Robert Schellenberg
Robert
Schellenberg

WJXT (Channel 4)
General Manager
Marlene Schneider
Marlene
Schneider

WJXT (Channel 4)
News Reporter
Sharon Siegel-Cohen
Sharon
Siegel-Cohen

WJXT (Channel 4)
Executive Producer
Steve Smith
Steve Smith
WTLV (Channel 12)
Meteorologist

Angela Spears
Angela Spears
WTLV (Channel 12)
News Anchor

Rob Sweeting
Rob Sweeting
WJXT (Channel 4)
News Anchor

John Thomas
John Thomas
WJXT (4),
Florida Public Television
Anchor, Executive Producer
Roger Weeder
Roger Weeder
WTLV (Channel 12)
News Reporter

Irv White
Irv White
WJKS (Channel 17)
Sports Director

George Winterling
George Winterling
WJXT (Channel 4)
Chief Meteorologist