2018 APRE Engineering Achievement Award
The Association of Public Radio Engineers (APRE) is pleased to announce Bruce Wahl as our 2018 recipient of the APRE Engineering Achievement Award.
Bruce Wahl is currently Senior Solutions Architect for the Distribution Division of NPR. He has been either an employee of or consultant to National Public Radio since March 1, 1971. The 18th employee hired by NPR, he began at NPR after being honorably discharged from the United States Army, where he had served with the American Forces Vietnam Network as Officer In Charge of the AM, FM & TV detachment in Pleiku.
Steve Johnston, President of the APRE board is very pleased with the selection. Johnston notes that “since the 1970s, Bruce Wahl has been a major contributor to public radio engineering, and is highly respected in our field. What a great choice for the APRE's Annual Engineering Achievement Award!”
Bruce’s initial work at NPR was to assist in building the first broadcast facility for the company. After completing a temporary home near the White House, a more complete facility was built about six blocks away at 2025 M Street which went on the air in 1972. He later became the technical plant supervisor overseeing the maintenance of the entire plant and operation of master control. As NPR transitioned to satellite delivery of radio programming, Bruce became the manager for the new and innovative Satellite Operating Support System (SOSS).
Bruce left NPR in 1984 to create systems as a subcontractor for McCurdy, including a major project for the ABC Radio Networks and another for the Mutual Broadcasting System. Other major projects included systems integration for a new startup in the early 2000’s, Sirius Satellite Radio.
In late 2003, Bruce returned to the Distribution Division at NPR as the Deputy Director for Distribution Information Systems. In 2008 Bruce was promoted to “Senior Solutions Architect,” a position he still holds. In recent times, he has been working with Member Stations on the “Tornado Alley” project.
In addition to his service to his country and to broadcasting, Bruce has been of service to his local community. In 1989, he was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Chesapeake Beach Town Council, a position he held until 2008, when he successfully ran for Mayor of the town. He then served eight years as Mayor.
In 2013, Bruce campaigned successfully for the office of President-Elect of the Maryland Municipal League, the organization of all 157 municipalities in the State of Maryland. In June 2014, he assumed the role of President of the League, and successfully completed his year with the theme he chose, “Civility in Government.”
APRE is honored and pleased to recognize Bruce Wahl as our 2018 award recipient. The award will be presented Friday April 6, 2018 at the Public Radio Engineers Conference Dinner in Las Vegas, just prior to the NAB Show.