Candidate: Bruce Buchanan

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Background

Collier County resident since 1997,  32nd Army Air Defense Command-U.S. Air Force Headquarters Europe, 28 years in radio broadcasting and commercial production for ABC, Doubleday, Disney/Shamrock, EZ Communications, AVCO, Ackerley, Fairbanks, Triangle, Genesis, and Southwestern Broadcasters.  U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain,

Experience

FAA Licensed Private Pilot, Volunteer Naples Airport tour guide since 2015 (which includes the Mosquito Control District facilities), Member Naples Pilots Association,  Past Board Member Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1067, Mentor to current E.A.A./ James Ray Foundation  Student Pilot Scholarship recipient.

Mentor Naples Youth Aviation Project, a 501(c)(3) organization helping local youth, ages 11 to 17, build  a Sling 2 aircraft at the Naples Airport.    

Bio/History

After serving in the 32nd Army Air Defense Command, stationed at the U.S. Air Force headquarters Europe,  I was fortunate enough to become the youngest TV news anchor/news director in the United States. Within months, however, an old friend offered me a position in Dallas as Vice President of jingle production house.  We created jingles for radio stations and commercials for advertisers…the largest account being the Federal Government.

A year later I was offered a similar position in New York City with the world’s largest barter house.  We produced station jingles for radio and TV networks and local radio stations.  A year later, my love for radio caught up with me and I joined Triangle Publications. Not only did they own radio and TV stations, but the Philadelphia Enquirer and Daily Racing Form.  The owner went on to become our Ambassador to England.

Ultimately, as I traveled through the country, I became Program Director, Operations Manager, or consultant.  My duties included the following:

• Ability to think both tactically and strategically
• Planning and organizationally skills
• Knowledge of FCC regulations
• Maintain relationship with Washington Legal firm
• Knowledge of ratings diary data analysis in Beltsville, Md
• Knowledge of diverse music formats
• Prepare budget
• Maintain relationships with producers, artists, and industry contacts
• Review all commercial content
• Establish creative vision for stations
• Motivation of staff, set goals and expectations
• Protect the License

This career took me to Houston, San Antonio, Ft Worth, Dallas, Charlotte, Chicago Miami-Ft Lauderdale, Denver, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Palm Beach, and Portland. Some of my career highlights:  First FM station to become number one in the ratings, First station to get $1,000 per spot outside NY and LA, National ADDY award for public service message. Produced and directed a CD with snippets of just about everything said on the radio, commemorating radio’s first 75 years.  Guest editor for Radio Ink Magazine’s 75th Anniversary Edition.  Research at University of Maryland for A Pictorial History of Radio’s First 75 Years.  Produced and directed on-site coverage of Berlin Wall for Washington based radio group in 1989.

Somehow I still found time to get a U.S. Coast Guard Captains License back in 1980 and purchased a 41 foot sailboat which I lived on and sailed through the Bahamas for 3 years when I wasn’t on the road consulting a radio station.  Six years later I bought a 46 foot sailboat and based it in Palm Beach.  Additionally, the Captains License allowed me to do boat deliveries from Maine to the Caribbean to Texas. When the “war department”, I mean the lovely Mrs. said the boat didn’t have enough closet space, its days were numbered. Fatherhood followed and my pirate days were over.

When I found myself landlocked with a radio project I earned my F.A.A. Private Pilot

Certificate and have owned a Rockwell Commander for the last 15 years. Travels have taken me as far as Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Can’t stay away too long because I haven’t found a headset to fit our two cats.

Since retiring, my focus has been on aviation.  Past board member of Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1067. Our group provides free plane flights to kids 8 to 17

Typically we introduce 150 plus kids for a hands on experience. Internationally over 2.2 million have flown since the program started.  Also, our E.A.A. sister program “Naples Youth Aviation Project” lets Naples kids build a real plane that they will ultimately fly.

Both groups are a 501(c)(3). And if that isn’t enough, our chapter has awarded a $10,000 scholarship for a local young lady to earn her private pilot certificate.

As a Naples Airport tour guide since 2015, I have visited the CCMCD facility many times and I am familiar with the operation.  My goal in joining the Collier County Mosquito Control Seat #4 is to provide fiscal and safety monitoring for an operation needed to continue the highest quality of life in our county.