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Hall of Fame 1986John PowellVideo |
John Powell was part of the NBA's early core group....the men (Dick Chapin, Jim Ebel, Bob Thomas, Bud Pentz, Max Brown, Joe DiNatale , etc.) who held the Association together as it grew in strength and service.
He bean his radio work in the summer of 1940, managing WCED, DuBois, PA. He went on to Kent State University, where he managed the college radio station and granduated cum laude.
He became an announcer at WJW in Akron, OH and then KLMB, LaGrande, OR. His time at KLMB came in two sections, before and after WWII duty. He was in the U.S. Airforce from October 1941-March 1946, serving with the Brazilian-American Military Commission in South American during 1945 and 1946.
Powell's broadcast career went on to include Program Director/Commercial Manager, KSRV, Ontario, OR 1947-1952; Account Executive, WLEX, Lexington, KY, 1952; General Manager, KRES (now KKJO), St. Joeseph MO, 1953; Station manager, KWBW, Hutchinson, KS 1954-56; Station manager, KSMN, Mason City, IA, 1956; and Executive Vice-President/General Manger, KHAS Hastings, 1957-1985. When he retired, he became a self-employed consultant/troubleshooter, providing itnerim management for stations undergoing ownership change.
John devoted tim to the Chamber of Commerce, Hall County Advisory Board, Salvation Army, Queen City Kiwanis Club, Elks, American Legion and numerous charity fund raising drives. He was named "Boss of the Year" in 1967.
The late Bud Penz described john as "an individual of the highest standards" and "a person who always would take on a project to help".
He served on the NBA Board, sports committee and resolution commitee. Under his management, KHAS took home numerous Ak-Sar-Ben awards, including a gold in 1981 and a gold and silver in 1983.
After he retired, he was named an honorary graduate of Hastings College nad receive the Hastings Chamber of Commerce "Thumby" award.