HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Seven new members of the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame will be inducted during a Saturday ceremony at the Museum of Radio and Technology in Huntington.
MetroNews will broadcast the ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. on the MetroNews Radio Network and online at wvmetronews.com.
Here are the members of the Class of 2017:
ERNIE ANDERSON began his broadcasting career while a student at Man High School in Logan County. As a sophomore, he was a DJ at WLOG-AM in Logan. While finishing college at Marshall’s Huntington campus, he worked at WCMI-AM in Ashland, KY. He was honored with the 1972 Andy Vance Memorial Award as the top broadcasting student at Marshall. His voice has filled the airwaves in Logan and/or the Huntington Tri-State region for more than 50 years.
TONY CAVALIER earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physics at Drexel University in Philadelphia and a Master of Science in meteorology at Penn State. He began his broadcasting career in 1982 at WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA. Five years later, he moved to WSAZ Television, Charleston/Huntington. As chief meteorologist, Cavalier has led the weather team at the NBC affiliate through blizzards and tropical storms and mentored several meteorologists who have gone on to major markets.
BRENDA DANEHART is a graduate of Wheeling Park High School and West Virginia University. She joined WTRF-TV, Wheeling, in September, 1980. With more than 15 years as WTRF news director, she is one of the longest-serving news directors in the state.
JACK HORTON is the most recognized radio personality in Parkersburg with 38 years in the market. He worked for WXIL Radio for 20 years before launching two radio stations. He has been program director and morning announcer at WVVV Radio for the past 17 years. Horton has been involved with community fund-raising for local charities, including police and fire department projects.
JUDY JENNINGS spent three decades at WTCR AM/FM, having served as sales manager and general manager. She completed her broadcasting career as market president of the ten Huntington/Ashland/Ironton iHeartRadio stations, including WTCR. She has been heavily involved with many projects promoting the Tri-State and country music.
PERRY SOOK began his TV career in sales for WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington. He has since founded Nexstar Media Group, where he is executive chairman, CEO and president. The company’s portfolio includes 171 TV stations around the country. Five of those stations serve West Virginia and surrounding states: WOWK-TV; WTRF-TV; WBOY-TV, Clarksburg; WVNS-TV, Beckley/Bluefield; and WHAG-TV, Hagerstown, MD.
BOB WEISNER had many jobs and titles during his 36 years at WVOW Radio. When he retired, he was news director. He came to Logan County 43 years ago and recently told a Logan Banner columnist he has no intention of leaving his adopted county
Tom Resler, chair of the Hall of Fame committee, said the seven 2017 inductees have excelled in all areas of broadcasting.
“These people have given decades of their time, talent and knowledge to the people of West Virginia and the Tri-State Region,” he said.
Ahead of Saturday’s induction, there were 203 members of the West Virginia Broadcasting Hall of Fame.