Nielsen Learning How To Unplug
• The NRG Media Omaha crew is making provisions for “life after John,” as longtime Chief Engineer John C. Nielsen announced his impending retirement, wrapping up an amazing half-century career. Keely Byars, General Manager of NRG Media Omaha, said of Nielsen, “John could fix anything. His expertise kept us on the air, and his dry wit kept us smiling.”
Nielsen caught the radio bug early while attending Technical High School in Omaha. “The first time that I spoke on the radio (KIOS) was in 1976 — I was 14 years old,” said Nielsen, who went to work for KOIL & KEFM through the school from 1978-79. Nielsen landed his first professional engineering position in April 1979 as an Assistant Engineer for Great Empire Broadcasting’s KYNN-AM. In 1983 he was named Chief Engineer for WOW-AM & FM/Omaha, and in 1985 he accepted a transfer to Great Empire Springfield, MO as Chief Engineer for KTTS-AM & FM, a gig that lasted until 2000, when he returned home to Omaha as AM Chief Engineer for the Waitt Radio stations — later NRG Media. In Oct. 2010 Nielsen was promoted to Chief Engineer for all the NRG Media Omaha stations, and the rest, as they say, is radio.
Now facing the prospect of no alarm clock or late-night emergencies, Nielsen says he’s looking forward “to not being on call 24/7. I want to take time to do enjoy some of my hobbies — cooking, fishing and visiting family. I will miss some of the challenges that I have faced in the 46 years and the feeling of being able to say that I helped out on building that station.”
In closing, GM Keely Byars added, “For nearly 50 years, John has been a pillar in this industry — a true legend behind the scenes. We’ll miss the man who made the impossible look routine. We wish him the best life in retirement!” [Special thanks to Rebecca Kahn]
