Dave Ratener, CPBE, CBNT, has been selected by the SBE Seattle Chapter 16 as Engineer of the Year for 2025. He is a long-time member of Chapter 16 and has served on the Chapter’s board of Directors. He is a Senior Member of the SBE with CPBE and CBNT certifications and has served as Chief Engineer for Salem Media Seattle and Hubbard Radio Seattle. Dave began his broadcast career in the Portland market and later worked in the Spokane market before moving to Seattle in 2010.
In his 46 years as a broadcast engineer, Dave has implemented two complete radio station facilities as well as a television station in Anchorage, Alaska. During his ten years as a television engineer, Dave received the TV Engineer of the Year award in 1986 from Seattle SBE Chapter 16. Dave’s experience in radio and TV broadcast ranges from vacuum tube equipment to today’s water-cooled digital transmitters. He has worked with RCA, Harris-Gates, Broadcast Electronics, and Nautel transmitters.
Dave is also serving on the SBE National Board of Directors. He is a Member of the SBE Government Relations Committee that is responsible for the recent publication of the revised Broadcast Self-Inspection Checklist.
Dave will receive the award at the Annual Seattle Chapter 16 picnic on Saturday, July 26, at the KIRO AM transmitter site on Vashon Island.