Template for ELHS Classmate Life History and Information Sharing

See: Roland's obituary

Personal Information: 

· Name when in high school yearbook: Roland Wilson Mack 

· High school nickname: Rol  

· Legal name today (if different): Roland W. Mack  

· What do people call you now? : Ron 

· Address (please provide at least a city and state): Clearwater, Florida 33756 

· Email contact: rmack7@tampabay.rr.com  

· Phone number (if you want): 727-559-7522 

Current life situation (retired working, volunteering, etc.):

      Retired 

Family history (spouse, children, dogs, etc.) :

      Married Caryl Webber in our Senior year at MSU (46 yrs so far). Adopted our son in 1973 in Southern Indiana and gave birth to our daughter in 1980 in Northern California.  Each child has two children, giving us four grandchildren.  We also have one great grandchild and another on the way.  We've had several dogs (cats, chickens and a rooster) over the years.  We now have a loving, cute Bichon Frise named Dandy Jack Mack. 

Current hobbies and interests:

      Caryl just retired at the end of the past school year making us fully retired.  However, we often care for our daughter's two daughters and also are in charge of Caryl's 97+ year old father, who is now in an assisted living facility.  We like to travel, but it's difficult with these responsibilities.    We went to the Panama Canal Zone last summer and would like to take the Grand River Tour in Europe next. 

Claims to fame (books, awards, etc):

I received a Regional Emmy Award while in Louisville for a series of Public Service Announcements and a national Silver Award from Junior Achievement for my efforts with them.  I also received a Cardinal Award from the University of Louisville for my contributions to their athletic programs through television.

Anything else you want to share:

We moved to Florida to be near Caryl's elderly parents, which has prooved to be a blessing.  Her mother passed in 2008.  My parents both passed while we were in the Louisville area (Southern Indiana) so we've managed to be there for them all.

Education, Military Service or Training  After ELHS:

      I graduated from MSU with a BA in Communications (TV-Radio) in '67.  I majored in Music Education my first three years, playing in the Concert Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, and Marching Band.  I was lucky to be in the Marching Band when we went as Michigan's representative to the New York World Fair in  '64, President Johnson's Inaugural Parade in '65 (Washington, D.C.), and the Rose Bowl in '66.  Although I played oboe in the Concert Band, I played bass drum in the Marching Band. I loved being in the Drum Line.  After one year of professional television employment in Traverse City, Uncle Sam sent a letter telling me he wanted me to join his army at a particularly bad time in our country's history.  I had just been accepted for a new job in Cincinnati, OH which I had to give up.  Long story short:  I was sent to South Korea where my education and experience were put to use at the American Forces Korea (TV) Network.  (There are stories to tell.)      

Work History (dates, company name, location, title/job function):

      The easiest way to do this is to list it:

       06/65–08/67  Co-owner, Producer.  Audio Tape Productions, E. Lansing              

       08/67-05/68   TV Station Director, WPBN-TV, Traverse City, MI

       06/68-01/70   Prod/Dir, AFKN-TV (Army) Seoul, Korea

       03/70-01/75   Prod/Dir, WAVE-TV, Louisville, KY

       03/75-01/77   Prod/Dir, KDKA-TV, Pittsburgh, PA

       01/77-12/78   Prod/Dir, WWJ-TV/WDIV-TV, Detroit, MI

       12/78-07/80   Prod Mgr, KXTV-TV, Sacramento, CA

       07/80-08/83   Pgm/Prod Mgr, WANE-TV, Fort Wayne, IN

       08/83-01/86   Mgr Broadcast Operations, WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC

       04/86-10/87   Dir Broadcast Operations, WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA

       10/87-10/88   State Farm Insurance, Seminole, FL & Columbus, GA

       10/88-12/89   Mgr TV16 & TV22 American Cable Co., Columbus, GA

       04/90-06/02   Dir Prod/Exec Prod WDRB-TV, Louisville, KY

       06/03             Retired from commercial broadcasting.  Moved to Florida

       11/05-08/12   Dir TV Ministry, St Paul UMC, Largo, FL

       08/12             Retired

       I've worked with all four major networks at the affiliate level.  I've broadcast hundreds of sporting events, done hundreds of hours of morning shows, newscasts, and even televised a local Miss America Pageant. I've met TV “stars” and sports personalities.  My career bridged the “Golden Age” of television with the new “digital age” while living in many different parts of the US/World.