WBHM Names Scott Hanley as New GM
WBHM 90.3 Names Scott Hanley New GM
Scott E. Hanley will become general manager of Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, licensed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, effective Monday, Aug. 27.
Hanley is a former member of the NPR Board of Directors, co-founder of JazzWorks LLC and previous director of WDUQ-FM at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was selected for the leadership role with North Central Alabama’s NPR News Station after a national search, said Kristi Lamont Ellis, UAB assistant vice president of public relations and marketing and chair of the station’s Friends of WBHM community advisory board.
“We are delighted to be welcoming Scott Hanley to his new home in Birmingham and at WBHM,” said Ellis, who has served as the station’s interim general manager since Oct. 1, 2011, subsequent to the retirement of the previous incumbent. “We were fortunate to have a strong candidate pool and attract someone who is both a consummate broadcast journalism professional and strong civic leader; it speaks well of the station’s national reputation on the news front.”
Hanley, a 1982 graduate of Eastern Michigan University, will come to WBHM from the Greater Uniontown (Pa.) Heritage Consortium, Inc., where he serves as executive director. Prior to that, he was director and general manager of WDUQ-FM for 16 years; during his time at the station, the size of its audience doubled and the amount of donated income more than tripled, and WDUQ pioneered digital services in public radio, online, and HD radio. Hanley began his on-air career in 1978 at WAAM-AM in Ann Arbor, Mich.; he has spent the majority of his career in public broadcasting, including at various radio stations in Michigan, Texas and Iowa. In 1998 he co-founded JazzWorks, an advanced-technology satellite-delivered jazz programming service for public radio stations across the country that was funded in part by grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting “Future Fund.” He also has taught broadcasting, journalism, media sales and media management at the college level.
Hanley served on the NPR Board of Directors from 2002-2008. During his time on that board, he served on its executive, investment, membership, and strategic planning and technology committees. In addition, from 2003-2008, he was chair of the NPR distribution/interconnection committee, which was responsible for the Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS), the distribution network for public radio stations throughout the United States. In 2011 he received the Public Radio Regional Organization PRRO Award for contributions on behalf of public radio stations nationwide.
About WBHM
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, a listener-supported service of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is “Your NPR News Station” and home to the Alabama Radio Reading Service, a resource for the blind and print-impaired. WBHM programming and award-winning regional journalism also can be heard in North Central Alabama on WSGN 91.5 FM through a partnership with Gadsden State Community College. Listen and give online at WBHM.org and follow the station at WBHM903 on Twitter and Facebook.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
