Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Round Rock, TX

Awards


TAB celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding broadcast leaders and stations!

All awards are presented at the TAB Show.

Contact TAB’s Beth Bobbitt for more information.

Nomination Deadlines

  • Leadership Award Submissions: Jan. 1-April 17 (OPEN for 2026)
  • Bonner McLane Award Submissions: Jan. 1-April 24
  • Station of the Year Award Submissions: Jan. 1-April 17 (OPEN for 2026)
Individual Leadership Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award

Current Winner: Jerry & Wanda Hanszen, Hanszen Broadcasting

Past Winners

Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year

Current Winner: Bob Phillips, Texas Country Reporter and “On the Road with Kelli and Bob”

  • Requirements: 25+ years in broadcasting; substantial portion of career in Texas; extensive public service; historical developments; significant industry advances; active participation in TAB
  • Who Can Nominate: TAB Members

Past Winners

Radio Broadcaster of the Year

Current Winner: Steve Eberhart, KGAF Gainesville

  • Requirements: Full-time station employee or owner; station must be TAB member; emphasis on achievements in the past year; example to others in broadcasting; 1 nomination/station/year.
  • Who Can Nominate: TAB Members

    Past Winners

    TV Broadcaster of the Year

    Current Winner:  Walk Maciborski, CBS Austin

    • Requirements: Full-time station employee or owner; station must be TAB member; emphasis on achievements in the past year; example to others in broadcasting; 1 nomination/station/year.
    • Who Can Nominate: TAB Members

      Past Winners

      George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence

      Current Winner: Paul Easter, Fort Bend Broadcast Services

      • Requirements: Individual’s excellence and innovation in broadcast engineering for a Texas radio and/or television station; Development of new technology, leadership in education, and contributions to broadcast engineering technical standards
      • Who Can Nominate: TAB Members

      Past Winners

      Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

      Current Winner: Ashli Dansby, KMHT Marshall

      • Requirements: This award recognizes an individual with at least two (2) years’ experience in the broadcast industry who demonstrates a proficiency for enterprise and innovation in a member station’s service to their audience, advertisers and community. The winners will receive complimentary registration for the TABShow, a ticket to the Annual Awards Gala (where the winners will be announced), as well as two (2) complimentary hotel room nights.
      • Who Can Nominate: TAB Members

        Past Winners

        Associate of the Year

        Current Winner: John Lackness, RADIO GEARHEADS

        Past Winners

        Educator of the Year

        Current Winner: Al Greule, Stephen F. Austin State University (retired)

        • Requirements: Dedication to the industry; Active participation in TAB
        • Who Can Nominate: TABE Members

        Past Winners

        Distinguished Service Award

        Current Winner: Stacy Allen, Jackson Walker LLP

        Past Winners

        Station Awards

        Bonner McLane Public Service Awards
        • Requirements: Excellence in community service
        • Who Can Nominate: TAB Member Stations

        Current & Past Winners

        Lone Star Leader Awards
        • Requirements: Most spots donated; Greatest dollar amount donated to TAB’s PEP program

          Current & Past Winners

          Radio Station of the Year
          • Requirements: All aspects of a station’s operation will be considered, including news, public/community service, station promotions, local programming, recognition from industry/community groups, participation with TAB and special efforts in other areas.

            Entries should not exceed a five (5) minute montage video or audio package and any supporting photos, documents and narratives detailing the station’s service.

            Stations nominate themselves and entries are judged by a committee of former broadcasters.

          • Who Can Nominate: TAB Member Stations

          Current & Past Winners

          TV Station of the Year
          • Requirements: All aspects of a station’s operation will be considered, including news, public/community service, station promotions, local programming, recognition from industry/community groups, participation with TAB and special efforts in other areas.

            Entries should not exceed a five (5) minute montage video or audio package and any supporting photos, documents and narratives detailing the station’s service.

            Stations nominate themselves and entries are judged by a committee of former broadcasters.

          • Who Can Nominate: TAB Member Stations

          Current & Past Winners

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