CLASS OF 2015
Marty’s impact on broadcasting in Nebraska spanned 29 years that began in 1986 at Mitchell Broadcasting in Omaha.
A native of Paxton, IL, Marty is a 1971 Radio & TV graduate of Southern Illinois University. He immediately began his radio career in sales at WSON/WKDQ, Henderson, Kentucky, and became station manager before buying WQRL in Benton, Illinois in 1985.
In 1986 Marty came to Omaha as General Sales Manager for KQKQ, KLNG, and KKAR. His training and leadership molded a sales team that drove significant growth for the stations. Four years later he succeeded Ralph Beaudin as Executive Vice President & General Manager for John Mitchell’s Omaha radio stations. As if overseeing top-rated KQKQ and News/Talk KKAR wasn’t enough, in 1992 he became Mitchell’s first “group head,” overseeing all 15 of Mitchell’s radio stations across Nebraska.
Marty was President/Executive Director of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association in 2002. His most significant accomplishment was placing the NBA on solid financial ground, allowing him to greatly increase member benefits. He was the driving force in offering more scholarships to broadcasting and journalism majors thus building a stronger pipeline of future broadcasters.
After 44 years in broadcasting, Marty retired in 2014 and currently consults on the NBA History Project.
