Josh Hinkle

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence, Previous Winners.

2024 Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

(Published August 2024)

TAB proudly presents the Jason Hightower Award to recognize individuals with at least two years’ experience in the broadcast industry who have demonstrated a proficiency for enterprise and innovation in servicing their stations’ audience and communities.

Josh Hinkle

The awards are named in honor of TAB 2009 Chairman Jason Hightower, owner/operator of KMOO Mineola, who passed away in March 2009 after battling brain cancer. He was 37.

Josh Hinkle is KXAN’s Director of Investigations & Innovation

“Josh Hinkle is the creative and organizational force behind KXAN’s successful investigative team. Not only does he produce high-impact, compelling investigations of his own, he leads a team of 10 people digging into the complex issues facing folks living around Austin and Texans statewide,” said News Director Haley Cihock.

“Josh is also an incredible ambassador for our company and investigative journalism, constantly seeking to foster innovation and elevation of the field.”

He leads KXAN-TV’s 12-person duPont and Murrow Award-winning investigative team on multiple platforms.

Last year, he led a full newsroom effort to investigate the state’s TxTag system, driven by the #1 viewer complaint.

The results were as meaningful as the project was innovative.

View project

That’s far from his first high-impact project, though.

In 2018, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) selected “Fallen,” an investigative documentary Josh produced about fatal police shootings and officers’ mental health training, as the recipient of the national Sigma Delta Chi Award for Best Documentary.

The same year, “DENIED,” an investigative project he produced about police transparency during in-custody death cases, won an Emmy for investigative series.

In 2019, he launched the station’s first podcast series, “Catalyst,” which accompanies the multi-platform investigations “Mayberry Texas” about flaws in the state’s missing persons system, “A History of Mass Violence” about four decades of mass shootings in Texas, and “Dead & Undone” about people dying in police custody – the latter of which earned an Emmy for journalistic enterprise and was recognized nationally with a special citation among the News Leaders Association’s First Amendment Awards in 2021.

“Mayberry Texas” was also a national finalist for an Online Journalism Award and Emmy winner for journalistic enterprise in 2019. The inaugural season of

“Catalyst” won a National Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital New Association (RTDNA) in the podcast category in 2020, while a collection of “KXAN Investigates” digital projects Josh led also won a national Murrow in the multimedia category that same year.

One recent season – part of a collaboration with ClearHealthCosts – provides expert analysis for KXAN’s “Medical Debt Lawsuits” project, which sparked a new law in 2023 requiring greater billing transparency from Texas hospitals.

That same year, the project won a National Murrow for “Excellence in Innovation.”

In 2020, Josh and his team also debuted a digital-first investigation called “Locked in Limbo,” which highlights mental competency challenges among Texas inmates.

It was honored with two Emmys that year for investigative series and journalistic enterprise and was named a Scripps Howard Award national finalist and a Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting national semi-finalist.

In addition to its own podcast season, that project featured a solutions journalism approach to storytelling – a concept Josh has helped implement at KXAN and Nexstar through initiatives like 2019’s “Save Our Students: Solutions for Wellness & Safety” – which was the national recipient of Mental Health America’s Media Award and was a finalist for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Leadership Foundation’s Service to America Award – and 2020’s “Pandemic PASS or FAIL: Solutions for Education Equity” – a nationwide project focused on the coronavirus and its disproportionate impact on some students.

Both projects were collaborations with the Solutions Journalism Network (SJN).

In 2021, Josh and the investigative team continued their research into mental health issues in Texas jails, launching “Mental Competency Consequences” after receiving a national fellowship and partnering with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.

The project highlighted untracked deaths on the state hospital waitlist, prompting officials to begin re-examining how they collect information and the impact of a record backlog.

It was honored with a National Murrow in 2022 for “Excellence in Innovation,” along with two other wins – another collection of “KXAN Investigates” projects in the digital category and an update episode to the fourth season of “Catalyst” in the podcast category, which featured Josh testifying before state legislators about law enforcement transparency challenges.

That same year, a multi-platform collaboration, “Justice for Some,” Josh produced with the Texas Observer to examine public corruption won an Emmy for journalistic enterprise.

If that weren’t enough to keep him busy, Josh is also executive producer and host of “State of Texas,” a weekly program – and companion podcast – focused on the Texas Legislature and elections, seen in 14 markets statewide.

His work on the show has been honored three times with the national Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism in 2015 for coverage of the women’s health debate, in 2017 for an exposé on border security funding, and in 2019 for an investigation into financial questions surrounding Texas’ oil and gas regulators.

The show has also earned 10 Emmys for politics and public affairs programming.

Josh is committed to fostering the journalism industry, and to the ideals of a free press.

He serves on the board of directors for both IRE and FOIFT, the former of which he also currently serves as Vice President.

He has chaired IRE’s training committee and currently chairs its member services committee, along with leading a recurring master class on managing investigators.

Additionally, he sits on SJN’s advisory council and the board of governors for the Lone Star Emmys, teaches as a faculty member for the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) News Video Workshop, serves as a journalist of color fellowship mentor for the Maynard Institute and is a member of SPJ, NPPA and the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists (NLGJA).

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Britt Milstead

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence, Previous Winners.

2024 Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

(Published August 2024)

TAB proudly presents the Jason Hightower Award to recognize individuals with at least two years’ experience in the broadcast industry who have demonstrated a proficiency for enterprise and innovation in servicing their stations’ audience, advertisers, and communities.

Britt Milstead

The awards are named in honor of TAB 2009 Chairman Jason Hightower, owner/operator of KMOO Mineola, who passed away in March 2009 after battling brain cancer. He was 37.

“When I read the description of the Jason Hightower award, it screams Britt Milstead,” said KFDX-TV General Manager Wayne Reed.

Britt Milstead started at KFDX-TV on April 10,1995 as an Account Executive.

“He was fresh out of college and green as a gourd. He dug in, worked hard, asked a LOT of questions, created and nurtured relationships, and became very successful,” Reed said.

In 2003, he was promoted to LSM where he began to see the bigger picture.

His managers and staff realized one of Britt’s greatest strengths is his creativity.

Britt loves to brainstorm with AEs and clients and produce creative concepts.

He also has a great eye for video, lighting, transitions, and graphics, in order to get the most out of a :15 or :30 second spot for a client.

In 2013, the station promoted him to Director of Sales leading a sales team of 10 AEs, four sales managers and a digital media manager.

“Britt is always willing to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty. He does an excellent job of keeping morale at a high level, and we all know that is very hard to do in this industry,” Reed said.

He has served on several non-profit boards and currently serves on the Ranch Days Committee for the Hands to Hands Community Fund Board and the Priddy Foundation Board.

He has helped grow many businesses and organizations, both non-profit and for-profit.

Britt regularly speaks to Marketing, Mass Communication and Journalism classes to promote the “Boots on the Ground” opportunities at a local Television station.

“Britt is truly my ‘Right Hand Man.’ I could not operate at a high level without him. He is passionate and dedicated to our work, our mission and our industry,” Reed said.

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Chip Arledge

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence, Previous Winners.

2023 Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

(Published August 2023)

TAB is extremely honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the former owner of KMOO Mineola – the great Jason Hightower.

The example of Jason’s leadership and his tireless devotion to his family, his industry, his community and, yes, to TAB, is an inspiration to those who knew him and who learn of his storied career.

Chip Arledge

Filled with a passion for service and a laser focus on growing his local community’s economy, Jason immersed himself in the Radio business, buying KMOO-FM in Mineola almost right out of college.

His energy, intelligence and personality were infectious, earning him the attention of TAB veterans in East Texas who saw in him a future leader for the industry.

True to form, he did not disappoint, winning election to the TAB Board, making significant contributions to the TAB Show and year-round programming, and rising quickly to Board Chairman before his life was tragically cut short by brain cancer – 10 years after he first bought KMOO.

TAB established the Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence in 2021.

We proudly recognize individuals with at least 10 years’ experience in the broadcast industry who have demonstrated a proficiency for enterprise and innovation in servicing their stations’ audience, advertisers and communities.

This is in keeping with Jason’s philosophy that we must salute our colleagues who do great things, or we risk losing our industry’s greatest legacy – fellow Texans committed to advancing local communities.

This year’s award recipient will be the first, Small or Medium Radio broadcaster to receive the Jason Hightower Award.

Much like Jason, Chip “The Fat Man” Arledge is the morning show host and manager of KDPM 92.3 FM “The Depot” in Marshall.

His previous experience includes stations in Michigan and Louisiana – but he came to Marshall in September 2020.

“The Depot” soon located its core operations to downtown Marshall and signed on the air one month later.

As Chip would say – “If your downtown ain’t happening, then your city ain’t happening!”

In a little less than three years at the station, Chip has been a vocal champion for the town of Marshall and its citizens, as well as the Regional Arts Council, Marshall ISD, Wiley College and many other community groups.

From a new, monthly art events weekend to the popular “Boogie on the Bricks” musical jam session, Chip is committed to making “The Depot” a positive force for progress in East Texas.

Day in and day out, he strives to emphasize that the Radio industry exists to move local communities forward both culturally and economically – and to have fun doing it!

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Amy Anderson

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence, Previous Winners.

2022 Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

(Published August 2022)

(Former TAB Chairman Brian Jones wrote and presented the following remarks as part of the awards presentation during the TAB2022 Convention & Trade Show, Aug. 3-4, 2022)

Amy Anderson

Good evening.  I’m deeply honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the late, great Jason Hightower by way of recognizing two rising young professionals who are blazing new trails in the industry as Jason did.

As the esteemed Ben Downs shared with us last year in the inaugural presentation of these awards, Jason was “the person we all wanted to be when we grew up” – with a loving family, the respect of all who knew him and a powerhouse station that enjoyed the rabid loyalty of his community.

Jason would understand that, as a proud Longhorn, I do not concur with Ben’s suggestion then that what everyone secretly wants to own is an Aggie ring.

He also wouldn’t hold it against me and would, in fact, expect me to keep that good-natured rivalry going…which is just one reason Jason was so admired.

I had the privilege of serving on the TAB Board with Jason, first as a director and then as an officer.

I had just joined the Executive Committee when we lost Jason to brain cancer in 2009 – only 11 years after he and his wife, Ingrid, purchased KMOO-FM Mineola.

In that short time, he had built an amazing, successful brand, become chairman of the largest state broadcast association in the country, and was readily acknowledged as a legendary broadcaster – all by age 37.

The example of Jason’s leadership and his tireless devotion to his family, his industry, his community and, yes, to TAB, is an inspiration to those who knew him and who learn of his storied career.

And it is for that reason that TAB established the Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence intended for people who have been in the business for 10 years and have already changed it for the better.  

Folks who are advancing their companies, their communities, their fellow citizens.

It is imperative that we honor our colleagues who do these things, or we risk losing the tradition of service that is our industry’s greatest legacy.

And, of course, our greatest promise lies in those younger broadcasters who will shape and lead our industry’s future.

Amy Anderson

Amy Anderson has been at KXAN-TV Austin for more than 12 years – being one of the first Digital Sales Managers to climb the ranks in Nexstar to become a General Sales Manager.

Since taking the reins, she has led her team to record-breaking years and produced some of the best ad campaigns KXAN has ever seen.

Amy believes in equal opportunity, collaboration, hard work – and having fun doing it.

Her team has remarkably low turnover and several team members who leave actually end up returning – a true testament to what it’s like to work for her.

She is at the forefront of developing sponsorship opportunities for local businesses that tie them into the community.

Go Green…Clear the Shelters…First Warning Weather University…Simple Health…she’s led the way on all these broadcast-based community initiatives.

Amy has such a gift of drive, management, compassion, empathy and motivation.

Her staff works hard because their leader works hard, and the station would not be what it is today without her influence.

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Chelsea Reber

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence, Previous Winners.

2022 Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

(Published August 2022)

(Former TAB Chairman Brian Jones wrote and presented the following remarks as part of the awards presentation during the TAB2022 Convention & Trade Show, Aug. 3-4, 2022)

Chelsea Reber

Good evening.  I’m deeply honored to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the late, great Jason Hightower by way of recognizing two rising young professionals who are blazing new trails in the industry as Jason did.

As the esteemed Ben Downs shared with us last year in the inaugural presentation of these awards, Jason was “the person we all wanted to be when we grew up” – with a loving family, the respect of all who knew him and a powerhouse station that enjoyed the rabid loyalty of his community.

Jason would understand that, as a proud Longhorn, I do not concur with Ben’s suggestion then that what everyone secretly wants to own is an Aggie ring.

He also wouldn’t hold it against me and would, in fact, expect me to keep that good-natured rivalry going…which is just one reason Jason was so admired.

I had the privilege of serving on the TAB Board with Jason, first as a director and then as an officer.

I had just joined the Executive Committee when we lost Jason to brain cancer in 2009 – only 11 years after he and his wife, Ingrid, purchased KMOO-FM Mineola.

In that short time, he had built an amazing, successful brand, become chairman of the largest state broadcast association in the country, and was readily acknowledged as a legendary broadcaster – all by age 37.

The example of Jason’s leadership and his tireless devotion to his family, his industry, his community and, yes, to TAB, is an inspiration to those who knew him and who learn of his storied career.

And it is for that reason that TAB established the Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence intended for people who have been in the business for 10 years and have already changed it for the better.  

Folks who are advancing their companies, their communities, their fellow citizens.

It is imperative that we honor our colleagues who do these things, or we risk losing the tradition of service that is our industry’s greatest legacy.

And, of course, our greatest promise lies in those younger broadcasters who will shape and lead our industry’s future.

Chelsea Reber

Born and raised in Bryan, Texas – Chelsea Reber has a deep investment in her community.

She completed her Bachelor of Science at Texas A&M University and went on to earn her Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from Syracuse University.

Chelsea has traveled and lived outside the Brazos Valley area to further her education and gain experience and credentials to be a real powerhouse in the broadcast industry.

She officially began her career in 2011 and since then – she’s been working toward maintaining her proficiency in composing and creating high quality contention and mastering the necessary technology.

Throughout the pandemic, Chelsea played a large role in making information available to a wider audience by creating Spanish-language news items to post online and broadcast on sister station La Jefa – a groundbreaking service for the Brazos Valley.

She announces the game action at home volleyball and softball games at Texas A&M, and also is one of the voices of fair and factual information provided on WTAW’s “The Infomaniacs” morning show.

Through the programming, she provides weekly support for Aggieland Humane Society and Long Way Home Adoptables to help their efforts to support animals in need through donations, volunteering, fostering and adoption.

Chelsea loves to host the morning show and then move on to serve the community, meet audience members, act as a first information and showcase local teams and athletes.

She feels so much passion about giving back to a community that has given her so much and continues to do so.

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Josh Gorbutt

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence, Previous Winners.

2021 Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

(Published August 2021)

(Former TAB Chairman Ben Downs, Bryan Broadcasting, wrote and presented the following remarks as part of the awards presentation during the TAB2021 Convention & Trade Show, Aug. 3-4, 2021)

Josh Gorbutt

I’m very pleased that TAB has chosen to recognize Jason Hightower with an award in his honor.

Jason was the person we all wanted to be when we grew up.   He had a wonderful family: Ingrid and children Brazos, Wyatt and Halee Grace.   

He had the respect of everyone who knew him. He served his industry in Austin and in Washington.  He moved into ownership. And he owned what everyone secretly wants to own… An Aggie ring.

He also owned one of the great full service local radio stations.  KMOO in Mineola.  A local station that broadcast the daily Country Store.  The station with vehicles painted like cows.  Fundraisers, free airtime, and every phone call answered with a cheerful greeting of “Howdy, K-Moo.”

Jason and I worked with and opposite each other in College Station where we were united in the shared adversity of being Aggies.  And when it came to local radio, Jason caught the radio bug and did a lot more with it than most.

He was the voice of East Texas.  He loved local radio and the people loved him back. He lobbied for the free flow of information act in the Texas Legislature and educated our reps in Washington DC about the value of local radio.

He was a Board Member.  He was that guy who got called when something had to be done, and when getting it done mattered. He fought the good fight.  Jason was really good at that.  

When the FCC Chairman was blowing our hair back in anger, Jason knew that was the time to fold your presentation up and listen politely.  If a congressman confused us with something he heard on XM, Jason was gentle in his correction.

He really was good at that.  Austin, Washington, Wood County.  He understood in his heart the duty broadcasters have to serve their communities and could tell people in positions of power how he was doing it with KMOO.

But when he was 33 years old, the tumor showed up and a different sort of battle began.  The first surgery was successful, and things were looking good.  But, Jason was a realist.  

The TAB approached him to serve on the executive committee which would ultimately lead to being Chairman of the largest state broadcast association in the US. 

When we talked about accepting, he spoke plainly and told me, You’re asking me for a five year commitment.  You know I have brain cancer, right.  Are you crazy?  

I told him whether it was five or 50, we needed him doing this.

Ultimately, he said yes and he was one of the great ones.  And he almost made it. He was on the EC for four years and had been chairman for about half a year when he was taken, and we lost someone who had helped make Texas radio great.

He was a legendary broadcaster…at the age of 37.

It’s important to remember when somebody stands out for all the right things like Jason did.  

We can’t afford to lose the example of broadcasters like him. 

When someone works tirelessly for his family, his industry, his community, and yes, this association, we shouldn’t entrust the importance of those accomplishments to the fading memories of just the people who knew him.  

And for that reason, the TAB has instituted a new award for people who have been in the business for 10 years and have already changed it for the better.  

Improving their companies, their communities, the lives of others.  

Because the people who do these things should never be allowed to merge into the background of the day to day.

We should never be so confident as to assume people who do this work will always be the face of our industry.  Because it won’t happen without the commitment of the people in this room and the people like Jason Hightower

Tonight, we honor three people who have made this difference in their communities.

Josh Gorbutt

The nomination form for our next recipient was over 10 pages long.  And on every page were examples of how Josh Gorbutt serves the Bryan College-Station Community.  

Josh Gorbutt first got a taste for broadcasting when he was nine by using his parents’ old VHS camcorder that was big enough to tip him over

Josh joined the KBTX team in 2008 as a newscast director and creative services producer, directing evening newscasts at the CBS affiliate and creating commercials for station clients.

He officially stepped into the role of News Director at KBTX in the summer of 2015.

In 2017, he oversaw the station’s 60th anniversary broadcasts, as well as an investigation into the mysterious separation of a Bryan ISD superintendent who was the subject of multiple ethics complaints. KBTX was ultimately awarded the Texas Freedom of Information Foundation Award for their work on the story.

Josh married Breanne after the two met at KBTX. They live in College Station with their two children, 3-year-old Maggie and 1-year-old John, and dog Oscar.

Josh is a classic movie fan and a voracious reader, though with a three-year-old, Pete the Cat and Dragons Love Tacos is now on his reading list every…single…night.

When nonprofits and community partners approach their newsroom with a need, Josh finds a way to creatively utilize resources and help.

Under Josh’s leadership, KBTX helped raise more than $2 million for local charities dealing with the impact of COVID-19 during 2020.

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Joe Ellis

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence, Previous Winners.

2021 Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

(Published 2021)

(Former TAB Chairman Ben Downs, Bryan Broadcasting, wrote and presented the following remarks as part of the awards presentation during the TAB2021 Convention & Trade Show, Aug. 3-4, 2021)

Joe Ellis

I’m very pleased that TAB has chosen to recognize Jason Hightower with an award in his honor.

Jason was the person we all wanted to be when we grew up.   He had a wonderful family: Ingrid and children Brazos, Wyatt and Halee Grace.   

He had the respect of everyone who knew him. He served his industry in Austin and in Washington.  He moved into ownership. And he owned what everyone secretly wants to own… An Aggie ring.

He also owned one of the great full service local radio stations.  KMOO in Mineola.  A local station that broadcast the daily Country Store.  The station with vehicles painted like cows.  Fundraisers, free airtime, and every phone call answered with a cheerful greeting of “Howdy, K-Moo.”

Jason and I worked with and opposite each other in College Station where we were united in the shared adversity of being Aggies.  And when it came to local radio, Jason caught the radio bug and did a lot more with it than most.

He was the voice of East Texas.  He loved local radio and the people loved him back. He lobbied for the free flow of information act in the Texas Legislature and educated our reps in Washington DC about the value of local radio.  

He was a Board Member.  He was that guy who got called when something had to be done, and when getting it done mattered. He fought the good fight.  Jason was really good at that.  

When the FCC Chairman was blowing our hair back in anger, Jason knew that was the time to fold your presentation up and listen politely.  If a congressman confused us with something he heard on XM, Jason was gentle in his correction.

He really was good at that.  Austin, Washington, Wood County.  He understood in his heart the duty broadcasters have to serve their communities and could tell people in positions of power how he was doing it with KMOO.

But when he was 33 years old, the tumor showed up and a different sort of battle began.  The first surgery was successful, and things were looking good.  But, Jason was a realist.  

The TAB approached him to serve on the executive committee which would ultimately lead to being Chairman of the largest state broadcast association in the US.  When we talked about accepting, he spoke plainly and told me, You’re asking me for a five year commitment.  You know I have brain cancer, right.  Are you crazy?  

I told him whether it was five or 50, we needed him doing this.

Ultimately, he said yes and he was one of the great ones.  And he almost made it. He was on the EC for four years and had been chairman for about half a year when he was taken, and we lost someone who had helped make Texas radio great.

He was a legendary broadcaster…at the age of 37.

It’s important to remember when somebody stands out for all the right things like Jason did.  

We can’t afford to lose the example of broadcasters like him. 

When someone works tirelessly for his family, his industry, his community, and yes, this association, we shouldn’t entrust the importance of those accomplishments to the fading memories of just the people who knew him.  

And for that reason, the TAB has instituted a new award for people who have been in the business for 10 years and have already changed it for the better.  

Improving their companies, their communities, the lives of others.  

Because the people who do these things should never be allowed to merge into the background of the day to day.

We should never be so confident as to assume people who do this work will always be the face of our industry.  Because it won’t happen without the commitment of the people in this room and the people like Jason Hightower

Tonight, we honor three people who have made this difference in their communities.

Joe Ellis

Joe Ellis is the executive producer of investigations and news projects at KVUE where he oversees the KVUE Defenders investigative team.

During his 23-year career as an investigative broadcast journalist, Joe covered stories throughout Texas involving government, the law, consumer affairs and environmental issues.

His honors are extensive and include a duPont Columbia Award, a Walter Cronkite Award, six Edward R. Murrow Awards, 16 Emmy Awards, numerous Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Awards, several Headliners Foundation Awards, as well as awards from the National Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists.

Joe is also a past recipient of the Carole Kneeland Award, which recognizes outstanding efforts on freedom of information issues including his efforts to get the Health and Human Services Commission to release information on Covid deaths in elder care facilities.

His work has exposed corruption in government and led to numerous convictions.

One of the most notorious was Joe’s work which exposed a criminal court judge giving a particular defense attorney most of his work and income.

The attorney was also a city councilman with whom the judge was romantically involved.

The funds were deposited into a bank account the judge and the attorney shared.

Wouldn’t you like to read that probable cause statement?  

Because of journalists like Joe, our government works better; our products are safer; and we’re reminded that responsibility matters.

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Melissa Rivera

Written by Beth Bobbitt on . Posted in Jason Hightower Awards for Broadcast Excellence, Previous Winners.

2021 Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence

(Published August 2021)

(Former TAB Chairman Ben Downs, Bryan Broadcasting, wrote and presented the following remarks as part of the awards presentation during the TAB2021 Convention & Trade Show, Aug. 3-4, 2021)

Melissa Rivera

I’m very pleased that TAB has chosen to recognize Jason Hightower with an award in his honor.

Jason was the person we all wanted to be when we grew up.   He had a wonderful family: Ingrid and children Brazos, Wyatt and Halee Grace.   

He had the respect of everyone who knew him. He served his industry in Austin and in Washington.  He moved into ownership. And he owned what everyone secretly wants to own… An Aggie ring.

He also owned one of the great full service local radio stations.  KMOO in Mineola.  A local station that broadcast the daily Country Store.  The station with vehicles painted like cows.  Fundraisers, free airtime, and every phone call answered with a cheerful greeting of “Howdy, K-Moo.”

Jason and I worked with and opposite each other in College Station where we were united in the shared adversity of being Aggies.  And when it came to local radio, Jason caught the radio bug and did a lot more with it than most.

He was the voice of East Texas.  He loved local radio and the people loved him back. He lobbied for the free flow of information act in the Texas Legislature and educated our reps in Washington DC about the value of local radio.  

He was a Board Member.  He was that guy who got called when something had to be done, and when getting it done mattered. He fought the good fight.  Jason was really good at that.  

When the FCC Chairman was blowing our hair back in anger, Jason knew that was the time to fold your presentation up and listen politely.  If a congressman confused us with something he heard on XM, Jason was gentle in his correction.

He really was good at that.  Austin, Washington, Wood County.  He understood in his heart the duty broadcasters have to serve their communities and could tell people in positions of power how he was doing it with KMOO.

But when he was 33 years old, the tumor showed up and a different sort of battle began.  The first surgery was successful, and things were looking good.  But, Jason was a realist.  

The TAB approached him to serve on the executive committee which would ultimately lead to being Chairman of the largest state broadcast association in the US.  When we talked about accepting, he spoke plainly and told me, You’re asking me for a five year commitment.  You know I have brain cancer, right.  Are you crazy?  

I told him whether it was five or 50, we needed him doing this.

Ultimately, he said yes and he was one of the great ones.  And he almost made it. He was on the EC for four years and had been chairman for about half a year when he was taken, and we lost someone who had helped make Texas radio great.

He was a legendary broadcaster…at the age of 37.

It’s important to remember when somebody stands out for all the right things like Jason did.  

We can’t afford to lose the example of broadcasters like him. 

When someone works tirelessly for his family, his industry, his community, and yes, this association, we shouldn’t entrust the importance of those accomplishments to the fading memories of just the people who knew him.  

And for that reason, the TAB has instituted a new award for people who have been in the business for 10 years and have already changed it for the better.  

Improving their companies, their communities, the lives of others.  

Because the people who do these things should never be allowed to merge into the background of the day to day.

We should never be so confident as to assume people who do this work will always be the face of our industry.  Because it won’t happen without the commitment of the people in this room and the people like Jason Hightower

Tonight, we honor three people who have made this difference in their communities.

Melissa Rivera

Melissa Rivera is a pillar in the Victoria, TX Crossroads community.

For the past 16 years, Melissa has overseen all live events for the market. Organizing St. Jude Radiothons, 5K Run/Walks, Easter drops, Back-to-school supply drives, and coordinating an annual event to feed over 250 homeless each holiday season.  

All while serving as Director of Sales for her cluster of stations. 

Earlier in her career she showed she was on the road to great things by winning the Townsquare Presidents Award. 

The people who nominated her recognize her servant’s heart and her gift of communicating what needs to be done…and doing it.

One of our three honorees for the Hightower award is Melissa Rivera in Victoria.

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