Six people who have garnered local and national attention were introduced Wednesday as the newest members of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2018 includes retired WGRZ-TV anchor John Beard, current Star 102.5 show host Roger Christian, national radio station manager Tom Langmyer, broadcast engineer Tom Atkins, 97 Rock Program Director John Hager, and the late Mary Lounsbury, the first female general manager of a Buffalo radio station.
Association President Steve Reszka said this class was one of the most popular ones yet. “The Class of 2018 has a very distinct national flavor to it. Most of the inductees have made their name in broadcasting both here in Buffalo and nationally.”
During a news conference at WNED, four of the inductees gave short speeches thanking the association and reflecting on their careers.
John Beard, known nationally for portraying himself on the television series Arrested Development, said that even though he worked in warm and sunny Los Angeles, Buffalo will always be important to him.
“I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the city, the warmth of the people, and by the quality of broadcasting here,” he said. “And to be welcomed back here twice, that’s pretty substantial to me.”
Hager described what it was like growing up and listening to his fellow inductees.
“It is great growing up in Western New York and being touched by so many legends in the local community of broadcasting, growing up watching John Beard and listening to Roger Christian, just trying to make myself feel younger, to get to this point here today,” he said.
The induction ceremony and dinner will be held at the WNED studios on Sept. 27. Tickets for members and non-members are available on the broadcasters association website.
