Today, we're honored to have a guest who brings a wealth of knowledge and a fascinating career journey to our conversation: Mark Engel.
Mark is originally from Minnesota, though he grew up in Park Forest, a suburb of Chicago, famously developed for World War II military families.... His extensive background in journalism began early, working at radio stations during high school and college. He then transitioned into broadcast news, starting in cable in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, before moving to TV stations in Knoxville and Asheville, North Carolina.
Mark's career truly blossomed in Atlanta, where he worked at WAGA (Channel 5) for a dozen years as a reporter and anchor, and later at WSB-TV, ultimately serving as a news director. He was at the forefront of major events, covering the return of American hostages from Iran in 1981, the World's Fair in Knoxville, and even helping secure and cover the Olympics for Atlanta.... Mark was also instrumental in the launch of the Georgia Lottery, designing and producing its live drawing shows.
After his time in local news, Mark spent over 12 years at CNN, where he held a critical role on "the row." In this position, he and a small team had the authority to approve scripts from correspondents worldwide, ensuring fairness, balance, and factual accuracy, often dealing with breaking news and intense situations.
Upon retiring to the Lake area in 2013, Mark couldn't stay away from journalism for long. He freelanced for the Lake Oconee News for 12 years and now runs "Under the Radar" on Next Door, a vital initiative to inform local citizens about upcoming county meetings and development plans, emphasizing the importance of community engagement.
Let’s welcome Mark as he shares his insights on the evolving landscape of news, local community issues, and much more!
Todays Guest:
Mark Engel -
Information: Log onto NextDoor - search for Mark Engel and/or Under The Radar
Sponsors:
ProSouth Services
https://prosouthservices.com/
Tim Broyles State Farm
https://mydowntownagency.com/
Reynolds Community Radio
https://reynoldscommunityradio.com/
Lure of the Lake
Lake Oconee, Georgia, located halfway between Augusta and Atlanta, is a man-made paradise with incredible beauty that makes it a great vacation destination for people of all ages. More than that, though, it's a community for those that are looking for a peaceful life filled with nature and beauty.
I, myself, am a member of that community. I moved to Reynolds in 2020 and started to hear the incredible stories of its residents. Join me, now, as we take a plunge into some fascinating stories of the many well-lived lives of our community and learn why they were Lured to the Lake.