Retired FCC Special Counsel for the Spectrum Enforcement Division Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is the 2013 recipient of the Sarnoff Citation. The Radio Club of America established the award in 1973 to recognize an individual or club member for “significant contributions to the advancement of electronic communications.” The Sarnoff Citation has been made to RCA members “who have contributed to advancement of electronic communications in any significant manner, including nontechnical support of the wireless industry,” the club’s website states.

“I could never adequately thank the Radio Club of America for this award,” Hollingsworth said in a statement conveyed to those attending the awards banquet in Orlando. “To receive this — and it is still hard to believe — from such a prestigious organization is an amazing journey for a 13 year old in South Carolina just learning to appreciate the magic of radio. Thank you all, and thank you very much for benefitting the entire nation by helping so many people choose a career in wireless.”

Hollingsworth’s engraved award, dated November 23, says, “For your significant contributions and outstanding achievements in wireless communications.” Other Sarnoff Citation laureates include US Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA (SK), ARRL Roanoke Division Director Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, and two-way radio pioneer Fred M. Link, ex-W2ALU (SK).

In his FCC Enforcement Bureau position, Hollingsworth, who retired in 2008, revived enforcement of Amateur Service rules and regulations.