To further recognize the achievements of up-and-coming broadcasters in the industry, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters introduces its 2024 ‘Rising Stars.’
The GAB’s Rising Stars are station employees in the early stages of their career (less than 5 years) with a clear desire and ambition to succeed in broadcasting. The individuals is consistent in their displays of strong work ethic, desires to grow and a willingness to go above and beyond their daily responsibilities.
Nominated and selected by a board of judges, the following individuals have distinguished themselves in their stations and fields to be nominated as a Rising Star:
Graduate of the University of Georgia, Austin Eller began his broadcasting career as an undergraduate for Cox Media Group.
After his graduation in 2020, Eller joined Jacobs Media Group’s WDUN as an anchor and reporter. With WDUN, Eller quickly grew up the ranks, ultimately becoming news director after just three years in broadcasting.
Eller spent almost 4 years with WDUN in Gainesville and has recently moved to large market radio and now serves as an anchor and reporter with WSB Radio.
“When Austin joined our team as a reporter/anchor right out of UGA, he dug in and learned about our community. He has done everything in our news department you can think of and done it well,” says Bill Maine, VP and General Manager of WDUN. “I look forward to watching his career as it continues to grow.”
2022 graduate of Brenau University, Haley Mason had her first experience in broadcasting at Jacob Media Group’s WDUN in Gainesville as an intern turned news reporter.
Mason continues to serve the North Georgia community as a morning show host with Cox Media Group’s 106.1 WNGC (Your Georgia Country Morning Show) and as a program director at WPUP (CHR) and WGAU (News/Talk).
“I saw great potential in Haley right from the start,” says CMG Athens Operations Manager, Peter de Graaff. “Haley is a fast learner and born leader. She understands concepts beyond her years and comprehends ideas with logical thought processes that benefit her radio stations and the morning show she is a part of.”
Jamie Worsley graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2019 and just 4 days after graduating began her broadcasting journey with Gray Television’s WALB in Albany.
Worsley’s journey with the station began as the 5 pm producer, with the goal to eventually make her on-air debut. In 2021, Worsley achieved just that, becoming a morning news anchor.
Now, Worsley juggles evening anchoring with her role as managing editor
“When she’s not at work everyone asks, “Where’s Jamie?” It says something about the respect she has from the staff, that she seamlessly went from peer to supervisor in a very short time,” says WALB News Director, Jerry Goodman. “I’m certain our viewers see what I see, and that’s why she has such a prominent role in this newsroom.”
Jenna Petracci began to put her meteorology studies to use as an undergraduate on the student radio station at the University of South Alabama.
After graduating in 2021, Petracci joined Nexstar Media Group’s WJBF in Augusta, as a meterologist.
Just this past June, Petracci was promoted to the role of Chief Meteorologist, making her the youngest female Chief Meteorologist in Nexstar Media Group. As Chief Meterologist, Petracci covers weekday newscasts at 5, 6, 7, 10 & 11pm.
“During severe weather Jenna has become a calming voice upon which our viewers and followers rely to help them weather the storm. She works tirelessly during extreme weather events, both on-air and online to make sure our viewers are safe.”,” says WJBF News Director, John Hart. “Whether it is here at WJBF or elsewhere, there is no ceiling on what she can accomplish in this industry.”
Jonathon Hoppe graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in June 2020. Six months later Hoppe joined Gray Television’s WTVM in Columbus as sports anchor and reporter.
In November 2021, just one year after joining the station, Hoppe was promoted to sports director. In addition to the role he plays for WTVM, Hoppe is a freelance sports broadcasting, acting as the play-by-play announcer, doing live studio shows, sideline reporting and more.
“Jonathon approaches his work with an enviable zeal for storytelling, accuracy and creativity,” says WTVM News Director, William McLain. “I have no doubt his career will take him far beyond Columbus, but WTVM viewers and staff will continue to be the beneficiaries of his hard work in the interim.”
Josh Tanner graduated from Georgia College & State University in 2019 and dove headfirst into his career in broadcasting.
As an undergraduate, Tanner served as the general manager of GCSU’s student-run radio station, WGUR-FM. As a student, Tanner attended the GAB’s Radio Talent Institute and GABCON 2019, where he would meet his future boss, Clayton Foster.
Prior to his December graduation, Tanner interned with Saga Communications. After graduating, Tanner was invited by Foster to tour 99.3 WCON My Country. He joined the station as an account executive on January 1, 2020.
Since joining the station, Tanner has filled the shoes of on-air personality, board operator and social media ‘guru.’ In July 2022, Tanner earned the promotion of Afternoon Drive show host, while continuing to act as an account executive for the station.
“When the opportunity arose for Josh to become our Afternoon Drive show host, he said yes without hesitation, and from day one he has owned the afternoon drive airwaves,” says Clayton Foster, WCON Vice President. “His unique view on life and witty commentary makes him a favorite among our listeners. Josh has an excellent grasp of country music, sports and what is happening in our region.”
An alum of the University of South Carolina, Lydia Blackstone became a part of the WJCL team in Savannah immediately following her graduation in 2023.
Blackstone was hired on as a multimedia journalist, and in just over a year has already earned a promotion. In addition to her role as a multimedia journalist, Blackstone now serves as WJCL’s weekend morning anchor.
“In less than a year, Lydia has shown great initiative. She’s taken on two franchises, ‘Voices of Valor’ and ‘Mom of the Month,’ in addition to daily general assignment duties. Lydia is a go-getter and is not afraid of any assignment thrown her way. She will go to great lengths to make sure the story is told exceptionally well,” says Richard Ochoa, WJCL’s Assistant News Director.
Sarah Smith graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2021. After her graduation, Smith spent some time in print journalism before making the transition to broadcasting in November 2022.
Smith joined the WSAV team as a news producer and quickly elevated to the position of general assignment reporter.
“Sarah quickly rose to the ranks of the 6pm and 11pm newscast producer, being the first producer at WSAV to complete both shows in one shift (2:30pm-11:30pm),” says WSAV news director, Katherine Wideman. “In less than a year, Sarah’s creativity with her writing, shooting and live shots have only grown and she is standing out from the field of other reporters in the market as a senior level reporter and rising news anchor.”
Will Rioux is a 2020 graduate of the University of South Carolina.
During his time as an undergraduate, Rioux worked as a sports intern for ABC-Columbia in Columbia, SC.
After graduating, Rioux joined the WRDW/WAGT News in Augusta as a producer and multimedia journalist. He quickly began to distinguish himself and was given the role of weekend morning anchor, while reporting during the week.
Rioux now acts as the weekend evening anchor and investigative reporter for the station.
“Will soon became a reporter to go beyond just the events of the day, he didn’t just cover the news, he began to uncover it,” says WRDW-TV/WAGT-TV News Director, Estelle Parsley. “His interest in digging for answers and holding elected officials accountable to taxpayers has forged him as a ‘go-to’ trusted reporter in our community.”
