Hello to all of my fellow young professionals. I am Ryan Brahm, the News Director at WOMT Radio in Manitowoc, and the WBA’s 2024 Young Professional of the Year. I would like to take some time to tell you more about what being named a Young Professional of the Month and of the Year can do for a broadcaster, especially one like myself who never really thought that I was doing anything special.
2023/2024 was a wild year for me, as I went from just a guy who writes local news to someone who was recognized for his years of hard work, all within a few months. I was first selected to be a part of Manitowoc County’s Future 15, a group of young professionals named every year by the Chamber of Manitowoc County for their contributions to the local community. Around the same time, I was named the WBA’s Young Professional of the Month. Each of those honors put me into the running for the respective organization’s YP of the Year.
I was shocked to receive these honors because, in my eyes, I was just a guy doing my job. I have always suffered from “imposter syndrome” anytime I get praised. It’s just how my brain works. I always see it as, “Well, it’s just something that had to be done.” However, as I went through the process of meeting with the other Future 15 awardees, I learned that I had, in my own little way, helped pretty much everyone else in the group through my stories. Whether it was by letting people know about upcoming events or by giving their business a platform, I was helping so many in the community. Most of the people in the group told me that they expected me to take home the YP of the Year honor, but I didn’t believe it.
When that happened in February, and I was named WBA’s YP of the Year at the Summer Conference, I was still in shock. I couldn’t wrap my head around how someone like me, who is not exactly young (nor very professional at times) could be among the other prestigious award winners. As I spoke with people at both events, I continued to learn just how much local broadcasters affect those in the community, and it started to make more sense to me. I still thought there were others who were just as, if not more, deserving than myself, but I took it all in stride.
Since then, I have had the honor of being welcomed into the WBA’s Young Professionals Committee, which has allowed me to meet more people like myself, who have a passion for keeping local broadcasting alive, and to help influence the next generation to do the same. All of this is because the Vice President of Seehafer Broadcasting, Terry Stevenson, nominated me for YP of the Month and the Future 15 of Manitowoc County.
My message to all of you is simple. If you know someone who is working their tail off to help your organization, nominate them for the WBA’s Young Professional of the Month. Show them just how much you appreciate the work they are doing. That simple gesture by my boss showed me just how much I was appreciated, and allowed me to meet so many amazing people.
To nominate a Young Professional in your organization, go to https://www.wi-broadcasters.org/young-professionals/young-professionals-award/ and fill out the nomination form at the bottom of the page.
Ryan Brahm
Seehafer Broadcasting
