Gadsden's News Plus - WGAD 1350 AM

Former Owner of both WGAD and WJBY Charles F "Charlie B" Bowman passed away Thursday. Here is his bio from the Alabama Broadcaster's Association website:

Charles Boman

ABA Broadcaster of the Year 1978

Charles Boman, also know as Charlie B has been described by one of his broadcasting competitors as “the grass roots American broadcaster that makes our free enterprise system what it is.” Charlie has an amazing 31 year broadcasting career as well as one of the highest recognized civic careers with his beloved city of Gadsden. In fact, one hot August night in 1958 while he was in an on-air interview with the Mayor of Gadsden and New York, he proclaimed Gadsden “The City of Champions” which Gadsden service marked as the city slogan.

Charlie B was educated in the Gadsden public schools, University of Alabama Gadsden Center and Jacksonville State University. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as chief announcer and program director of Armed Forces Radio services on Guam Island and AFRS Network, New York City. He stared as a part-time announcer after school hours at radio station WJBY, Gadsden, in 1946. He became program director of WGAD, promoted to assistant manager and stockholder. He was also a stockholder secretary-treasurer of WEYY, Talladega, AL. He bought WETO, Gadsden in 1963 and changed the call letters to WJBY. In 1966, put WLJM-FM stereo (now Q-104) on the air. In 1980, he purchased TV Facts publication and was the founding publisher until sold in 1996.

Some of the many industry recognitions include; Member of Broadcaster Pioneers, Inducted in FM Pioneers by National Radio Broadcasters Association in 1972 and Associated Press Radio/TV Outstanding Broadcaster Journalism. His many honors are highlighted with such awards as, Gadsden's Outstanding Young Man or the Year 1961, Key Man Award-Gadsden-Etowah Chamber of Commerce and United Way Man of the Year, 1989.

Charles Frank Boman was the son of Police Chief Fay Boman and Ruby Laney Boman. He is married to the former Marjorie Faye Phillip. They have five children; Lloyd, Mary Faye Cohn, Phillip, Jeff and John Williams plus fifteen grandchildren. He is a member of First Baptist Church, Gadsden, and Lay Speaker. He also has a Ministry every Saturday morning at the Etowah County Jail & Alcohol Unit. Helped organize the Gadsden Christian Men Prayer Breakfast and was the 2nd President in 1977.

Additional Industry Recognition
· Member of Alabama Public Television Commission and Foundation
· District Director, Secretary –Treasurer, Vice-President and President of Alabama Broadcasters Association (1968-1970)
· Chairman of Legislative Liaison Committee of Alabama, National Association of Broadcasters
· District Director, Southern Division, National Association of FM Broadcasters and National Radio Broadcasters Association
· Alabama Broadcaster of the Year (1978)
· Life Member of Alabama Broadcasters Association

Additional Civic, Cultural and Fraternal Involvement
· Board Member Etowah County Crippled Children's Association
· South Trust Bank Director
· Etowah Baptist Association (Chairman of Public Relations Committee)
· United Way (Vice President of Communications) ( Divisional Chairman 3 Years)
· Gadsden State Technical Institute Advisory Board
· Gadsden State Community College Radio & TV Advisory Board Chairman
· Life Member of Kiwanis Club, President (1980)
· Salvation Army (Chairman – 3 Capital Fund Campaigns raising over $1,500.00)
· United Cerebral Palsy, NE Alabama (One of founders & President for 2 years)
· Recognized by Gadsden Board of Realtors for Meritorious Property Revitalization (1979)
· Board Member Etowah County Mental Health Association
· Gadsden Boys Club President (1967)
· Sesquicentennial Commission Committee – State of Alabama
· Museum Board & Fine Arts
· Downtown Action Council – Downtown Gadsden, Inc.
· Gadsden Metro Chamber of Commerce Life Member , President (1978)
· Gadsden Quarterback Club
· Alabama Advisory Council Vocational Education
· Alabama Heart Association, Public Information & Educational Committee
· Etowah Food Bank Vice President, 1989 Chairman for Feed the Hungry
· Gadsden Concert Association, Vice President & Membership Chairman
· VFW Post # 2760 Life Member
· Holy Name of Jesus Hospital Advisory Board
· Baptist Health Services Board of Directors
· Easter Seals Board
· Christian Business Men Committee
· Manna

Additional Honors, Awards and Political Activities
· Nominated one of Alabama's four Outstanding Young Men (1961-1962)
· Named on of Outstanding Young Men in America (1965)
· Named in Outstanding Personalities of the South (1967)
· Who's Who in South and Southwest (1967 – 1976)
· Named in Community Leaders of America (1976)
· Named in Notable Americans of Bicentennial Era (1976)
· Creativity Recognition Award by International Personnel Research (1976)
· Appreciation Award, Big Oak Boys Ranch
· Sheriff's Boy's Ranch, Life Member (1981)
· Inducted into Patriots Hall of Honor (1987)
· YMCA Red Triangle Award
· Top Salesman Award, Gadsden- Etowah Co. Chamber of Commerce (1976)
· Named Honorary Coach at Jacksonville Alumni Association
· Honorary Associate of Arts Degree from Gadsden State Community Collage
· Gadsden State Community College, Awards Day, presents Top Broadcasting Student Award the “Charles F. Boman” Plaque
· George F. Hixson Award for the Gadsden Kiwanis Club
· Peter Gregerson C.I.T.Y. Award
· Member of Etowah County Republican Party & Executive Committee
· Served two years as Vice Chairman of Finance, Republican Party
· Chairman of Etowah County Republican Party (2 terms)
· Ran for State Senate – District 10 (1990)
· Ran in special election to fill the place in House of Representatives – District 29 (1993)
· Elected to State Republican Executive Committee (1994)
· Appointed Sheriff of Etowah County by Governor Bob Riley for general election 2006