Former WROK/WZOK GM dies

Subject:

Comments:
: Former Rockford radio stations’ leader dies at age 86 : : By Thomas V. Bona : : ROCKFORD — David Salisbury was often called “Mr. WROK” for his decades of service at the radio station, but he’s remembered in the Rockford area for much more than that. : Salisbury died Tuesday at age 86. The Rockford native was best known as general manager of WROK AM and WZOK FM from 1962 to 1987, building the stations’ listenership to at one point reaching 40 percent of the Rockford market. : “He was a shrewd broadcast businessman, demanding nothing but the best quality radio possible for our listeners,” said retired WROK newsman Fred Speer. : But he also helped establish Rock Valley College and the Rockford Area Literacy Council, advised Rockford College and served on many other boards. : “He brought to the table for the college what he brought for the radio station — his enthusiasm,” said John McNamara, now vice president of development at Rockford College, and mayor of Rockford during the 1980s. “He brought his ability to use the airwaves that he controlled to tout events, things that were going on, positive things.” : Salisbury started his career at the Rockford Morning Star, the forerunner of the Register Star, as a district circulation manager in 1946. He worked there and sometimes at WROK — which, like the paper, was owned by the Todd family — until 1962. : He moved permanently to WROK in 1962, helping new owners Nolte Communications expand the station and its fledgling FM sister. : Salisbury’s mentoring was key in developing the radio stations’ on-air and behind-the-scenes employees, longtime friends said. The stations were named “stations of the year” in 1972 by Broadcast Management/Engineering magazine. : “He had the ability to hire good people and manage them to success. He wanted to help people grow and expand their abilities,” said Linda Johnson, who was hired as a receptionist by Salisbury more than 40 years ago and now serves as business manager for the stations. : “This was his life. This company was most of his working years. He loved it.” : Salisbury’s outgoing personality and many friends in the community helped him bring business to the stations, Johnson said. : McNamara was a frequent guest on WROK’s talk radio programs when he was mayor, and said the respectful tone of its hosts and callers reflected the atmosphere Salisbury created. : “He hired people who were very talented — very bright, strong personalities — and he let them be themselves. That’s the mark of a smart man,” McNamara said. “Dave loved a good laugh and he was always somebody who would march out from where he was and give you a handshake and a good, hearty hello.” : Salisbury eventually became company vice president and then president of Nolte Communications, retiring in 1995. : For decades he was a civic force in Rockford, sitting on the committee that helped found Rock Valley College more than 40 years ago. He was also on the board for the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, the Council of 100, United Way, Salvation Army and several other groups. : “He was awesome. He was someone you could always talk to,” Speer said. “If you had a friend in Dave Salisbury, you really had a friend.” : : (Rockford Register Star)

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Enter verification code: