Jerry E Reed
Biography
Born in Cooperstown, NY, Jerry spent his early childhood in Schuyler
Lake in Otsego County. In his high school days, he worked on a dairy
farm in Sauquoit, Oneida County and became interested in
broadcasting at the same time. His twenty-five year radio career
took him from Utica to Watertown; Denver, Colorado; San Angelo,
Texas; Binghamton and back to Utica.
Jerry was a radio and television production specialist in the United
States Air Force from April 1967 through January 1971 with tours of
duty in: Denver, Colorado; Takhli, Thailand and San Angelo, Texas.
While in Thailand, he served with the American Forces Thailand
Network bringing news and entertainment from home to the men and
women in the field during the Vietnam conflict. He was awarded the
U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for his efforts in Thailand.
In 1979, he formed the RFD Network, which later became the Northeast
Farm Network. When he sold the network in 1983, he was delivering a
daily farm and rural radio report to forty-three radio stations in
the Northeast. In addition to the daily network farm report, he was
also the farm director for WIBX in Utica from 1983 to 1987.
Jerry became the Executive Director of The New York Beef Industry
Council in July 1987, a position he held until February 1999, when
he joined the staff of New York Farm Bureau as its Director of
Communications.
He joined the Oneida Indian Nation’s Media Relations Department in
February 2001. As Senior Media Relations Associate, he is assisting
the nation educate and promote to the public (and media) the many
enterprises of the Oneida Nation.
In addition, Jerry continues to provide narration and voice-overs
for video projects across the country. His voice has been heard on
productions for such notable companies as Amoco Oil, Adirondack
Bank, Syracuse Research Corporation, The National Live Stock and
Meat Board, National Milk Producers Federation, New York State
Electric & Gas Corporation, New York State Department of Agriculture
and Markets, Turning Stone Resort -Casino, Sāv-On convenience stores
and The Oneida Indian Nation.
He began learning about computers in 1984, by necessity. His
collection of over 10,000 recordings of radio programs, dating back
to the 1920’s, needed a catalog. Since then, he has logged thousands
of hours working with computers including building and repairing
them. An early user of the World Wide Web, Jerry expanded his skills
to include web site development and design.
Jerry's personal interests also include genealogy (family history),
gardening, camping, canoeing and baking. Homemade bread, cookies and
pies are his specialty. In addition, Jerry is also a licensed
Amateur Radio (HAM) Operator - General Class - call letters KA2PGM.
He is a graduate of LEAD-NY (The Empire State Food and Agriculture
Leadership Institute at Cornell University), and Mohawk Valley
Community College.