SBE Honours Chris Tobin With Posthumous Award

The Society of Broadcast Engineers has honoured industry expert Chris Tobin with a posthumous award.

Chris, who sadly passed away last December, was announced as the winner of the Robert W. Flanders SBE Engineer of the Year award for 2021.

The Brooklyn man had been an SBE member for more than 22 years. During that time, he had taken on many roles with the local New York City, Chapter 15. Tobin was an invaluable person and SBE member, which is recognised by this nomination that was supported by so many members of Chapter 15. Chris’ fascination with radio began at an early age. "As a small tot, I enjoyed the magic of the box on the kitchen table in my house," he recalled in a YouTube interview. He got involved in broadcasting at a young age thorough a school radio station. He was a self-taught engineer but also spent time behind the microphone.

Chris worked at ABC Radio Network, CBS Radio and Westwood One. In 2015 he became chief engineer at WBGO. Among a variety of other things, he helped to develop the station's video capacities, streamlined their operations and handled the logistical curveball which was the 2020 pandemic lockdown. Unfortunately, Chris died in December 2020 from a heart attack while working on the installation of a new HVAC system at the station in Newark, NJ.

The Engineer of the Year award is presented to a member who has excelled in his or her career while furthering the mission of the SBE. Candidates are nominated by their peers.

The SBE Awards Program also recognises other achievements from SBE members, chapters and SBE sustaining member companies.

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