WCF SECTION PRESS RELEASE #21-12
CHUCK JOHNSTON W4CWJ APPOINTED AS AN ASSISTANT SECTION MANAGER
On Friday February 25th, 2021, Mike Douglas W4MDD, appointed Chuck Johnston W4CWJ as an Assistant Section Manager as Rural Communities Coordinator.
Douglas had the following comments to say about the appointment of Johnston, “I can not take credit for this appointment, it was suggested to me by Sanford Wyatt, KM4WXX. After hearing Sanford’s reasoning, I almost instantly processed Chuck’s appointment. Chuck has a lot of ties and influence with agriculture in the rural areas of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Hardee counties. That same influence extends throughout the state as well as Tallahassee. Please help me welcome Chuck as he settles into his position as a new ASM.”
Johnston was originally licensed in 2015 and is a Florida native. Johnston’s interest in radio started with building kits in his father’s radio shack as a teenager. Johnston obtained a commercial radio operator license, and then started working at the Sarasota Fire Department in the communications division. Johnston help to start the Sarasota Agricultural Recovery Group (SARG) in 2010 and is currently the coordinator for SARG. SARG is an organization composed of farmers and ranchers from the local area, many of whom are amateur radio operators. The members of SARG provide service to rural communities during disasters, and operate in support of the ESF-17.
Johnston had the following comments to say about his appointment as Assistant Section Manager, “Experience has shown that the communications challenges in the heartland areas of the state vastly differ from that of the coastal areas. I hope to work with Mike, our Section Manager, to identify opportunities to enhance ham radio’s effectiveness when called on.”
Johnston in his professional career currently raises beef cattle in eastern Sarasota County. Johnston previously worked in fire rescue and in his final assignment was Emergency Management Director for Sarasota County.
END OF PRESS RELEASE