John McColl (1921-1987)

John McColl

Year Born: 1921

Year Died: 1987

Year of Induction: 1987

Pioneer – Member of CAB Hall of Fame

McColl, John (1921-1987)

An accountant by trade, John McColl entered broadcasting with CJOC Lethbridge in 1947.

In 1954, he was transferred to sister ACMO (All-Canada Mutually Operated) station CJVI Victoria.

 He returned to Lethbridge in 1955 as Accountant for CJOC and CJLH-TV which had just gone on the air.

In 1964, he was appointed General Manager of CJOC, and became General Manager of both CJOC-Radio and CJLH-TV in 1968.

In 1972, McColl was transferred to Calgary as President and General Manager of CFAC, a position he held until 1981 when he became the Western Canada Director of Broadcasting for Selkirk Communications.

Industry-wise, John served on the Board of Directors of the CAB, and was President of the Broadcast Association of Alberta and the Western Association of Broadcasters. He was President of Broadcast News in the late 70s and early 80s, and served in his final year as President of the Canadian Communications Foundation.

John McColl died in 1987 as the result of a skiing accident. He was conferred in memoriam by the Western Association of Broadcasters as the Broadcaster of the Year. Also in 1987, John McColl was inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Written by J. Lyman Potts – April, 1996