Meet jeff winemiller

INTRODUCTION

Jeff Winemiller has been in and around broadcasting since he was a teenager. He is an engineer by trade and an entrepreneur with a drive for innovation by nature. Jeff credits his decades of successful businesses to seeing value in service to the public, innovation, and developing supportive relationships in the broadcast and wireless technology communities. 

EARLY CAREER

Jeff began his career in 1983 as Master Control Operator for WITF (PBS) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania when he was 18 years old. Working with his father, Larry Winemiller, and other engineering mentors, he became the lead transmitter engineer for the station and took on freelance engineering work as well. He left WITF in 1990 to head New Sports Microwave Inc. (NSMI), based in Del Mar, California. NSMI provided microwave equipment and technical support for major sporting events, including the Olympic Games, Goodwill Games, and Tour Du Pont Cycling, as well as custom applications for the FBI and other government agencies. Jeff’s next career move was Chief Engineer of WPMT (Fox) in York, Pennsylvania where he designed and built their first news operation. Jeff left WPMT in 1997 to start his own company, Winemiller Communications.

THE WINEMILLER COMPANIES

Pennsylvania Sports Entertainment Network (PSEN)

While working at WITF, Jeff independently built a small production truck and covered local sporting events for regional cable distribution. PSEN later added remote control cameras for news, traffic, and weather, along with microwave links for local stations. Jeff also acquired a group of communication towers throughout Pennsylvania under a related company 

Pennsylvania Microwave Network Inc. (PMNI) which he eventually sold to Subcarrier Communications. Today, PSEN continues to provide microwave links for several legacy clients. Jeff once hosted the Gettysburg FCC Field office for lunch in Carlisle, Pennsylvania so that the staff members reviewing microwave applications could see what a microwave was.

Winemiller Communications Inc.

Through his work with local new organizations, Jeff saw a need for affordable electronic news gathering equipment and vehicles. Winemiller Communications provided remanufactured ENG vans, remote control cameras, and microwave links for television broadcasters nationwide. By providing quality solutions at affordable prices, WCI created a new niche in the industry. In 2000, Winemiller Communications was awarded the contract to provide all RF equipment and support for the Summer Games in Sydney, Australia. WCI provided: (3) ENG vans, (6) motorcycles, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft systems, remote control cameras, all monitoring equipment, and a crew of 43 people for the host broadcast. Jeff sold Winemiller Communications to AK Specialty Vehicles in 2003.

RF Central LLC

RF Central was founded by Jeff in 2005 to provide equipment and support for the Sprint/Nextel project. During the next 3 years, RF Central provided $80 million in equipment and services to broadcasters for their spectrum relocation. By providing a turn-key solution, RF Central was the preferred provider for major station groups, including Nexstar, Jefferson Pilot, and WCAU. In 2007, RF Central was acquired by the Vitec Group.

Wave Central LLC

As innovators in wireless technologies, Wave Central manufacturers RF camera systems for television broadcasters, major sports and event venues, and tv and film production. Located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Wave is staffed by veteran engineers and skilled production staff, most of whom have been with the Winemiller family of companies for more than 20 years.

Lowcountry 34 Media LLC

In 2017, Jeff established Lowcountry 34 Media, LLC to purchase the broadcast license for full-power station WSCG(DT) Ch. 34 in Savannah, Georgia, and nearby LPTV stations. Jeff designed and built the stations from the ground up, including a studio and master control in Beaufort, SC, and transmitter sites in Baxley, Hinesville, and Savannah, Georgia, and in Beaufort and Parris Island, South Carolina. After operating these stations for a period of time, Jeff determined that his skill set was best put to use not in operating stations but in building and optimizing them, so he altered his business plan. Lowcountry sold WSCG to Radiant Life Ministries in 2020. Lowcountry has subsequently purchased or partnered with other broadcasters to build and optimize LPTV stations across the country. He has assisted several broadcasters in building out stations that were in danger of forfeiting their licenses after being off the air for nearly a year. He has also constructed and optimized stations for major television broadcasters such as Gray and Nexstar to support their efforts to convert to ATSC 3.0 operations or to enhance their existing over-the-air services. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Jeff has won 2 Emmy awards for his work in news and sports broadcasting. The Winemiller companies have been included in the Inc. 500 List of Fastest Growing Companies, and he was named Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2002. In 2015, the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Here is a link to the interview Jeff gave for that event: (226) Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame Honoree - Jeff Winemiller - YouTube.

OLYMPIC GAMES

Jeff has provided RF engineering support for 11 Olympic Games, from Seoul 1988 through London 2012. In 2000, Winemiller Communications was awarded a $1.1 million contract to provide all RF equipment and support for the Summer Games in Sydney.

PERSONAL LIFE

Jeff lives in Beaufort, South Carolina with Jan, his wife of 30 years. He has 3 daughters and 2 granddaughters. An avid RC hobbyist, Jeff also enjoys boating and is a licensed pilot.