AFCCE members -
See the note below from NTA President Jack Mills. The AFCCE Board has voted to provide support to fellow broadcast engineer Tim Stoffel in his time of need following the devastating Hawk Fire near Reno.
Some of us have known Tim for many years. Although he’s not an AFCCE member, our longstanding partnership with NTA, built in large part through our mutual relationship with Byron St. Claire (and continued today through the scholarship established in his memory) makes this an appropriate opportunity for AFCCE to support a member of the broader broadcast engineering community..
If you know Tim, or simply would like to help, Jack’s note below includes a link to a GoFundMe established for him.
Thanks,
John George, Secretary
(on behalf of the AFCCE Board)
The 2026 fire season has caused profound hardship for NTA Board Member Tim Stoffel. He lost his home in Reno, along with his cherished cats and a lifetime collection of electronic equipment, astronomy-related items, an organ that brought him great joy, music and book collections. Everything in the residence he called home has been lost to the Hawk Fire.
Throughout the years, Tim has contributed hundreds of hours to NTA as a board member, association member, and convention audiovisual specialist for approximately 15 to 20 years. He had a long-standing connection with the Reno PBS station and continues to work as an independent installer. Additionally, he has assisted many of our member licensees in resolving transmitter issues and addressing the operational needs of both LPTV stations and translators.
We understand that a GoFundMe page has been established to assist Tim with his immediate needs and support his long-term recovery as he rebuilds his life.
https://gofund.me/698d6a0af
We extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to Tim. Such complete devastation is difficult to comprehend, and words seem inadequate to convey meaningful comfort during this time.
Jack Mills, President
August 26, 2026