Arkansas Broadcasters elect new leadership

The Arkansas Broadcasters Association (ABA) elected a new slate of officers and two new board members at its annual convention this year.

Kristen Speer of Mountain Home was elected president. Speer is the general manager of five radio stations in Mountain Home and Harrison.

Marty Schack of Little Rock was elected vice president. He is the president/general manager of the Tegna-owned television station Thv11.

Tommy Craft was elected secretary/treasurer. Craft is the general manager of Pearson Broadcasting, which is based in the Fort Smith area and operates several sports talk stations under the ESPN brand in Arkansas.

Chad Whiteaker of Batesville becomes the past president. He is the general manager of White River Now, which includes a group of five radio stations in that market.

The ABA Membership also elected two new board members. Justin Acri of Signal Media/103.7 The Buzz and Buzz 2 was elected to represent the 2nd district on the board. JJ Cook of Noalmark Broadcasting, which operates seven radio stations in South Arkansas, was also named to the board.

“I look forward to working with this leadership team as we begin a new year for the Association,” said Speer. “I want to thank them all in advance for their willingness to serve their fellow broadcasters.”

Under its bylaws, the ABA Officers serve a one-year term. Board member terms are three years. Terms begin immediately upon election during the annual convention.

The ABA represents and helps promote the over-the-air radio and television stations of Arkansas, which offer content on a daily basis to their communities.