Retired WAKA executive inducted into the Alabama Broadcasters Hall of Fame

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – As part of its 80th anniversary celebration, the Alabama Broadcasters Association has inducted retired WAKA Vice President and General Manager Jim Caruthers into its Hall of Fame.

At a reception in downtown Montgomery last night, ABA President Sharon Tinsley inducted Caruthers, who led WAKA from 1998-2011.

Under Caruthers’ leadership, WAKA made major expansions of both its news presence and its community involvement. The station opened news bureaus in Greenville, Andalusia and Troy to add to its existing bureau in Selma in order to reach all communities in our part of the state. Community involvement projects highlighted excellent teachers and law enforcement professionals while helping to raise money for several local non-profits.

During his time as vice president and general manager, WAKA entered into a shared services agreement with WNCF ABC 32 as the station’s corporate owner, Bahakel Communications, LTD., of Charlotte, NC, purchased WBMM, the CW affiliate in Montgomery. WAKA also produced weeknight newscasts for WCOV Fox 20 under a partnership between the stations.

While at WAKA, Caruthers and his wife Barbara would welcome station employees and their families to annual cookouts at their large farm in Montgomery County. He also made sure Santa Claus stopped by the station to give Christmas presents to employees’ children at a party just for them.

Caruthers, a Tuscaloosa native, started his TV career at WCFT, the CBS affiliate in Tuscaloosa, in 1972. His career included management roles for stations in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

The ABA reception also included the induction of other well-known local broadcasters. Norman Lumpkin was the first Black TV reporter in Montgomery when he hit the airwaves at WSFA in 1969, spending decades covering the city and state government. He later became news director for ABC 32 before joining the Alabama Department of Transportation as public relations director. Lumpkin was inducted into the Emmy Silver Circle in 2007. He died in 2014.

Retired radio executive Bill Moody started his career at WETU in Wetumpka before joining powerhouse WBAM in Montgomery, working as an announcer while promoting major musical acts that would perform in the Capital City. Moody also had a successful advertising career that included working for WLWI and Cool 104.3. He is an Alabama Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

Earlier this month, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a commendation recognizing the Alabama Broadcasters Association for 80 years of service to radio and TV stations across the state. The commendation honors the vital role broadcasters serve in their communities. Members of the ABA Board of Directors, former board chairmen and Hall of Famers attended to represent its member stations. ABA President Sharon Tinsley (dressed in pink) is at the governor’s side for the signing ceremony – Photo from the Office of Gov. Kay Ivey

The ABA is celebrating its 80th anniversary by hosting receptions for local broadcasters in nine cities throughout the state during 2026. Its mission is to support and promote the efforts of local radio and TV broadcasters throughout the state, advocating for the industry at all levels.