GREEN BAY (WLUK) — As 2025 comes to an end, we here at FOX 11 are marking the distinguished career of one of our own. WLUK-TV Vice President and General Manager Jay Zollar is retiring on Dec. 31.
Zollar spent most of his 45-year career in the broadcasting industry right here in Northeast Wisconsin working to advance the television stations he worked for and make the communities they serve a better place.
Starting out as an intern, he came up through the ranks at different TV stations, delving into all aspects of the business from production to sales to station management.
He was a hometown boy whose distinguished career thrived in serving the Northeast Wisconsin community.
“I think Jay was crucial in terms of supporting charities,” said Mark Murphy, former Packers CEO and President, who dealt with Zollar on many projects over the years.
“And the community means so much to him that it shows in the way he handles business,” added Craig Benzel, Packers Vice President of Sales and Business Development.
My co-workers here at FOX 11 say Jay is the kind of boss you want to work for. In fact, I’ve worked for Jay at two different television stations. Jay took over the leadership at FOX 11 and CW 14 in December of 1998.
His vision from the start, he says, was to be the overall favorite station to the people of Northeast Wisconsin. A mission he accomplished, capping his 27 years as FOX 11’s general manager.
“Jay always said three things. First, you serve the community the best. Second, take care of the employees here at the station. And number three is take care of the advertisers that trust in us. And we did those three things,” said Todd Ziegler, station manager for WLUK.
During his tenure, Zollar helped to usher in the First FOX 11 Packers Family Night in 1999.
“We essentially took a concept of Family Night into Jay’s office and he embraced the concept and he just started running with ideas. If you know anything about Jay, the community means so much. It has throughout his career, and this was arguably one of the biggest community events they were a part of creating,” Benzel explained.
He also oversaw the expansion of the WLUK-TV facility in Ashwaubenon, cutting the ribbon on the new News and Content Center addition in 2009.
WLUK FOX 11 General Manager Jay Zollar cuts the ribbon on the station’s News and Content Center addition June 17, 2009. (WLUK photo)
In 2012, under Jay’s leadership FOX 11 unveiled the station’s first local news broadcast in high definition.
Two years later he oversaw the debut of the FOX 11 Storm Chaser, the market’s first weather tracking vehicle.
“He sees what other stations do in the market, what the landscape is, and seizes the opportunity. So he’ll look around and say, ‘oh we can do that,'” said Juli Buehler, former FOX 11 News Director who retired earlier this year after working under Zollar since 1998.
In 2015, Jay expanded WLUK’s holdings by acquiring what’s now known as the FOX 11 Field House across Lombardi Avenue from Lambeau Field.
And a year later the market’s first newsgathering drone, SKYFOX, took flight.
“I think as the captain of the ship for 25 years-plus — his ability to steer that ship, have a vision for how the station ought to be operated, and be able to execute that vision through the support of the staff has been exceptional,” said former FOX 11 News Anchor Tom Milbourn.
In addition to the innovations, Zollar was instrumental in helping the community: From recognizing our future leaders with the Best of the Class program, saluting high school valedictorians from hundreds of Northeast Wisconsin schools each year, to instituting the FOX 11 Food Drive. Over the past four years, FOX 11 viewers responded by donated more than 133,000 pounds of food and $38,000 in cash for various food pantries.
“I would say his impact has been immense specifically with the FOX 11 Food Drive. But in so many other ways. I’ve known Jay for over 25 years and he’s always been somebody who’s been looking out for the community,” said Bob Hornacek, a former FOX 11 News reporter and current assistant executive director of Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay.
Zollar has also served on the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s Partners in Education Board of Directors. FOX 11 has proudly served as sponsor of the Golden Apple Awards, recognizing outstanding educators in the greater Green Bay area for the past 32 years.
“This has been really one of the best programs at FOX 11 WLUK that I’ve done. It’s a celebration of really great educational feats that happen throughout the years,” Zollar shared.
And while so much of his work was behind the scenes, viewers know and recognize Jay Zollar from his passionate commentaries aimed at making our community a better place.
Zollar oftentimes recognized individuals making a difference, much like he has done for broadcasting in Wisconsin, and all the while, encouraging others to do the same.
“Continue to look around too, if you see a need, help another. Thank you.” A familiar tag line to his on-air appearances.
Congratulations, Jay, on your retirement from all of us at FOX 11.