Mike McDougald, radio legend and community servant, dies at 90

December 18, 2021–1:30 p.m.

STAFF REPORTS

A legend in the field of radio in both Georgia and Alabama has died.

Mike McDougald was an owner of WRGA and Q-102 for many years.

He was inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame and the Alabama Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the Alabama Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

McDougald was born in Statesboro in 1931 and worked part-time at WWNS before attending Emory University.

During that time, he also went to work for WSB Radio in Atlanta.

He graduated in 1952 from the Emory School of Journalism and then entered the United States Army during the Korean War.

He graduated from the Counter-Intelligence Corps School in Baltimore, Maryland, as a ‘Counter-Intelligence Special Agent’ with top-secret clearance.

Upon his return home from the service, Mike entered at the graduate level in the University of Georgia’s Henry W. Grady School of Journalism working toward a Master’s Degree and assisting in the development of the Peabody Award system at the University.

He also worked at WRFC in Athens before returning to his pre-war job at WSB.

He lived in Gadsden from 1960 to 1977 and with his partner developed WAAX from a 1kw daytimer to full-time, full power AM & FM service.

In addition to WRGA and Q102, was involved in the ownership of WCHK, Canton as well as stations in other states.

His stations won two Marconi awards from the NAB for Radio Station of The Year and Radio Personality of The Year.

Mike was awarded a Crystal Award by the NAB, and seven GAB Station of the Year awards.

He is a Past President of the GAB and past Board Member of the GAB.

He served two terms as Vice Chairman of the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission, was Chairman of the Foundation for Public Broadcasting of Georgia, Inc.

In 2008, Mike was inducted as a Grady fellow by the UGA Grady College of Journalism Communications.

McDougald also served on many community and charitable boards in Floyd County and as a frequent contributor of articles and stories for both newspapers and magazines widely distributed throughout the south, a frequent public speaker and lecturer.

He was also Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Advertising Dynamics, Inc., a full-service advertising and marketing agency founded by his wife Leeta in 1977.

McDougald lived in Rome and died Friday at the age of 90.

Biographical information from the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame and the Alabama Association of Broadcasters

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