Tom Mark has signed-off on his last newscast.
Mark has retired after more than 47 years in broadcasting.
Tom’s last newscast at 1075 Beach Radio (CJIB) Vernon was at 9 am this morning.
You can listen to it here:
Born in Winnipeg, Mark’s interest in radio started with his high school radio club at Winnipeg’s Dakota Collegiate.
He started reading weekend youth news on CKRC-AM Winnipeg in 1971, before landing in news full-time at CFRW-AM in 1973.
Mark headed to the West Coast in 1979, working at stations like CFUN Vancouver, CKDA Victoria, CJOR, CHRX, and CJJR-FM Vancouver.
He went on to be a major part in the start-up at CKWX-AM Vancouver (News 1130) from 1996-2001, and then went on to be the voice of morning news on CKNW-AM from 2001-2014.
Beach Radio’s Brian Martin and Jen Bailey talk with Tom about his career, and they are joined by a special guest:
Tom and his wife Susan retired to Vernon in 2014, but his retirement from radio would not last long.
He’s worked with the Pattison stations in Vernon and Kelowna since 2015, and has been the morning news person at Kiss FM, now Beach Radio, since April 2017.
Hudson Mack, a long time broadcaster and friend, says Mark has mentored many in broadcast journalism, including him.
“How grateful I am to have made your lasting, lifelong friendship at the news directors convention you organized in Whistler nearly 30 years ago. A lot has changed in the industry since then, but one thing has remained constant: your commitment to truth, fairness and excellence – and serving your community,” says Mack.
Terry Scott, former director of broadcasting with The Canadian Press, says Mark gave back to the industry through his involvement with what is now known as the Radio Television Digital News Association and the Radio-Television News Directors Foundation.
“Tom has long been a passionate journalist dedicated to his craft. It comes through not only in his writing and on-air delivery but in his relationships with his colleagues. He has mentored many an up-and-coming broadcaster who has gone on to bigger markets thanks to the work ethic Tom instilled in them,” says Scott, a former RTNDA president.
For his outstanding service, Mark was recognized with the RTDNA Distinguished Service Award in 2003 and the RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.
