Temple Terrace tech honored for broadcast work

Brian Hill spent the better part of a Tuesday night in Temple Terrace, setting up cameras and audio gear for a town hall. He arrived three to four hours before the broadcast began and stayed for another one or two hours after it ended to pack up. This routine is standard for the city’s digital communications technician, who is the only staff member dedicated to audiovisual support.

Hill’s dedication to this behind-the-scenes work led to a formal recognition at the Oct. 20 City Council meeting. Mayor Andy Ross presented him with the Employee of the Year award. Hill said the honor surprised him, noting that he works alongside many capable colleagues. He immediately shared the news with his wife and children, who he said were very proud.

“They really see the time that I put into doing what I do here,” Hill said. His path to the city staff began about three years ago. Before joining the municipality directly, Hill worked for Tampa Bay Community Network, a community access channel that handled city broadcasts. He later started his own business and kept the city as a client until a full-time position opened up.

The job involves more than just pressing record buttons. Hill supports advisory board meetings, training sessions, and special events across various city departments. While the work is usually smooth, he recalled one instance where delayed audio forced him to make a difficult choice. He could not fix the issue without shutting down the equipment and interrupting the proceedings. He returned the next day to investigate the root cause.

Hill finds joy in specific parts of the job, particularly the annual Fourth of July parade. He enjoys photographing and filming the residents who come out to celebrate. “I don’t know what it is, but it always brings a smile to my face,” he said. The physical demand of covering the parade also changed his personal routine. Feeling out of shape after his first assignment, he started running. He is now completing 5Ks and training for his first 10K race.

Outside of work, Hill lives in Tampa with his wife and three teenagers. He spends his evenings cooking dinner, helping with homework, and navigating the challenges of adolescence. He views his role at the city as a way to connect with the community. “I love being able to bring them the information they desperately need at times,” Hill said. “It brings me joy just getting that information out there to them.”