Washington, DC - Mar 18, 2008 - The Association of Public Radio Engineers (APRE) has announced the winners of the second-annual APRE Engineering Achievement Awards.

Chuck Leavens, director of engineering and information technology management at WDUQ Pittsburgh will be presented with the 2008 APRE Engineering Achievement Award during the annual Engineering Dinner. When asked why Leavens's name was being recommended for the award, one nominator stated, "One word: Pubtech. Chuck's creation and maintenance of the Pubtech listserv is a godsend to us pubradio engineers!"

Leavens began the e-mail remailer service in July 1996. At the time, the goal was to provide a forum for public radio engineers and friends to discuss the special technical aspects common to public radio stations. Leavens notes that since then, the list has grown to be more. It has become a communications backbone between stations for many topics. There are currently 942 subscribers.

Marty Bloss will be presented with the 2008 APRE Meritorious Service Award for his role as director of technology for the Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS.) Bloss shepherded the new Content Depot satellite distribution system now in use by public radio stations to deliver high-quality, real-time and file-based audio programming. He worked with major equipment vendors, software integrators, member stations, engineers and program producers to champion the new system.

The honor is intended to be awarded to individuals for outstanding contributions to the art and/or science of radio engineering that have made a significant impact on, or improvement in the state of the public radio industry.

The awards will be presented at the annual NPR Labs/APRE Engineering Dinner on April 11 in Las Vegas.