Award Winners for the National Accolades in 2025 Announced by SBE
Society of Broadcast Engineers Announces 2025 National Awards
The Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) has announced the recipients of its 2025 National Awards, recognizing significant professional achievement in engineering leadership, education, and technological innovation in the broadcast industry.
Doug Irwin, CPBE, AMD, DRB, from Burbank, CA, member of SBE Chapter 47 Los Angeles, has been awarded the prestigious Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year. With nearly four decades of experience on both coasts, Irwin manages one of the most complex and influential radio operations in the U.S. He also serves as regional engineering lead for iHeartMedia Los Angeles and contributes as a longtime consultant and writer for Radio World. Irwin is recognized for navigating industry consolidation and evolving technologies while advancing engineering standards and mentoring the next generation of broadcast engineers.
David Bialik, CBT, from New City, NY, member of SBE Chapter 15 New York City, has been awarded the James C. Wulliman SBE Educator of the Year. Bialik, an SBE member for 15 years, played a key role organizing the 2024 and 2025 Ennes Workshops on Media Over IP at NAB Show. He also serves on the SBE Education Committee and is co-chair of the AES Technical Committee for Broadcast and Online Delivery. Bialik's efforts significantly contribute to broadcast engineering education.
In addition, Blackmagic Design received the SBE Technology Award for its DeckLink IP 100G PCIe Gen 4 card. This innovative product allows simultaneous capture and playback of up to eight channels of HD and Ultra HD video within SMPTE 2110 IP systems.
SBE Chapter 15 New York City has been recognized with the Best Chapter Communication Award for the fourth consecutive year. The Wisconsin SBE Chapters, in partnership with the 2024 Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Media Technology Institute, have been honored with the award for Best Chapter or Regional Educational Event.
Mark Lee of Compass Media, based in the Cayman Islands, has been awarded the Facility Innovation of the Year award. Compass Media extended its WheatNet-IP audio network across 85 miles of underwater fiber to link its four radio stations with the two smaller Cayman Islands.
These awards highlight the dedication and innovation of professionals in the broadcast engineering field, and the significant strides made in technology and education. The Society of Broadcast Engineers continues to recognise and celebrate these achievements, fostering a community of professionals dedicated to the advancement of the broadcast industry.
[1] Radio World [2] Society of Broadcast Engineers [3] AES
- Doug Irwin's work in managing radio operations and his contributions to Radio World demonstrate his expertise in audio technology within the realm of media and broadcast.
- David Bialik's efforts in organizing workshops on Media Over IP at NAB Show, as well as his involvement with AES Technical Committee for Broadcast and Online Delivery, further the education and technological innovation in the radio industry.
- The SMPTE 2110 IP systems-compatible DeckLink IP 100G PCIe Gen 4 card by Blackmagic Design represents a significant advancement in technology, facilitating the capture and playback of video channels within media broadcast environments.
