Who's Who at WPLA

Charlie Mack

Charlie Mack (Charles McSwain) started in radio in the fall of 1969 at Bob Artabasy’s Top-Gun Radio, WPAS in Zephyrhills. In 1970 he took part-time jobs with WPLA and WQYK-FM, eventually switching to WDAE, then later to WLCY. By 1983 he was holding down the news anchor position for the Suncoast Business Journal at WEDU-TV Channel 3. However, Charlie, a third generation Florida native, did not make broadcasting  his career, but rather received his education at the University of Florida, University of South Florida, and York University with a plan to pursue other interests.

Prior to 1988 Charlie was Managing General Partner for American Tectonics, a regional real estate development firm in Florida where he planned, constructed, marketed and managed mixed-use properties. Since that time he has been with a real estate subsidiary of CSX Corporation, most recently as Vice-President of Business Unit Services. He has also held successive positions as an economist and urban planner for a regional planning group, worked in economic development for a statewide public utility, and was a director of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of 100.

Today (2006), Charlie makes his home near Jacksonville.

Station History