Personal Info
I grew up in northern New Jersey. Only 25 miles from New York City, my small town was on the edge of suburbia where city met farmland. From an early age, I was fascinated with electronics—I was frequently taking things apart and, more importantly, putting them back together. My older brother, later a broadcast engineer and ham, fueled that interest when he brought home CB hand-helds from Lafayette Radio. By high school I had an Avanti PDL-II quad on the roof and was working Illinois on 5 watts with my Courier 23 when conditions allowed.
Music was also part of my life from an early age. My mom played piano (the popular songs of the day), and I started playing by ear about the same time I started kindergarten. My dad had been a drummer as a child and up through high school, and I followed in his footsteps, starting lessons in 4th grade. By high school I was participating in marching and concert bands, and was the drummer in the jazz band. Around the same time, I discovered a love for theater—first through a community group during my early teens, and later as stage crew lead in high school productions. My dad was also a private pilot and owned an Aeronca Champ, so I also developed a love of flying.
Service was a constant example in my home. My father, a WWII veteran, was deeply involved in community organizations including the United Way, Boy Scouts (as district commissioner), and the Knights of Columbus, and he passed on the belief that service to others is simply what we do when we have the means. That spirit carried me into active duty military service, which led to a 45-year career in telecommunications and picking up ham radio along the way. I eventually purchased a Cessna 182 with a friend and co-worker (also a ham) and have occasionally operated air-mobile.
After leaving New Jersey to join the Air Force, my professional life has had me residing in Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, England, Virginia, and Colorado. I've had the pleasure of visiting 46 US states, mostly for business but certainly some for pleasure. And yes, the remaining four are on my bucket list. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way, and for the individuals who provided me those opportunities.
Today, I remain active in my community, my local club, and the ARRL. I don’t take the responsibility of serving members lightly. To me, service means checking my ego at the door and helping to make decisions for the collective good.
As ARRL's Rocky Mountain Division Director, I strive to stay informed, engaged, and approachable—not just a name on page 15 in QST or a face on a Zoom call, but a fellow ham who shares your passion for radio and community.
73,
Jeff, KØRM
---- Avocations ----
+ Private Pilot - Cessna 182
+ Musician - Piano, Trumpet, Drums/percussion
Member of the Highlander Marching Band,
Governor Livingston High School, Berkeley Heights, NJ
National Champions, Festival of States Tournament, St. Petersburg, FL - 1972
Member Keesler AFB 'Blue Knights' Drum & Bugle Corp - 1974
Appointed Drum Major - 1975
---- Community Theater ----
+ Metropolitan Musical Theater - Summit, NJ
Technical Crew
+ Blue Ridge Alliance for the Performing Arts - Sterling, VA
Technical Crew
---- Community Service ----
+ Berkeley Heights (NJ) Volunteer Rescue Squad
+ Colorado Springs Police Dept., Crime Prevention Bureau
+ Boy Scouts of America, merit badge counselor (radio)
+ City of Westminster (CO) - Member, Special Permit & Licensing Board