Bill Catalano

Bill Catalano wore a few hats during his time at CKSO! He served as an on-air personality, Program Director and the Sudbury OHL Wolves’ play-by-play announcer. Bill was at the station from 1971 to 1975. He comes from London, Ontario and attended Loyola College, which is known today as Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec.

Bill’s early career days included some time in the Bahamas managing the government run radio station. He was back in Ontario in 1971. His first day on the job at CKSO AM Radio was August 15, 1971 as the Afternoon Drive Host. He describes his start with a serving of a piece of humble pie because he originally turned down an offer to work as News Anchor on CKSO TV for an annual salary of $12,000. This was not where Bill wanted to be. He accepted a position at a station in London, Ontario, spent some time there and then lost that job. He came back to Sudbury where CKSO Radio hired him to host afternoons for just $7,500 annually.

Within a year Bill became the AM Program Director. He earned the bragging rights of being the Sudbury Wolves’ first play-by-play announcer under the newly established Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 1972.

Mr. Catalano recalls those days as exciting. He recalls witnessing 53 departures, a combination of firings and resignations. He also took pleasure in working with many talented people.

In 1975 Bill accepted an offer for the position of News Director at CKNC TV in Sudbury. He remained there until April of 1978. At this time CKSO AM and FM became disaffiliated with CBC just as it was launching its new Sudbury flagship station. Bill moved over to the new CBC and became the first managing editor of CBC Radio Northern Ontario News.

During his tenure at CBC Bill also commenced teaching journalism at Cambrian College, Sudbury. He taught for two years and then at the behest of Glen Crombie, President of Cambrian College at the time, would embark on a province wide tour observing other journalism programs. On his return, Bill rewrote the Cambrian journalism program for the print medium and eliminated the broadcast portion of the course.

He remained at CBC until September of 1991 and then headed south of the boarder, down to North Carolina where he would settle in at PBS. He would spend roughly 5 years there as a producer.

Today Mr. Catalano is self-employed as a Media Relations Specialist focusing on small business imaging. He covers Northeastern Ontario, providing insightful techniques with the objective of acquiring positive public exposure, and providing training for positive internal employee growth.

Bill, who also sometimes goes by the name ‘Wiley’, and his wife Paulette reside in Sudbury.