WABG-TV6 names new General Manager/Vice President of station
Greenwood native, Sherry Nelson, continues her
legacy of leadership with a Delta news leader

By CHIP MABRY
DBJ Contributing Writer

Bahakel Communications, Ltd., owners and operators of WABG-TV, Greenville-Greenwood, MS, recently announced the appointment of Sherry C. Nelson as Vice President and General Manager of the station.

Ms. Nelson, a twenty-five year veteran of the station, is “the perfect person for the job,” according to Beverly Bahakel Poston, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the company.

“Sherry has been an outstanding contributor to the station’s long term success, with experience in news and sales during the course of her career. We are also especially pleased and proud of her involvement and leadership in a variety of community civic activities.”
“Under Sherry’s leadership the station will continue its commitment to provide meaningful local news and public affairs programming and enhance and expand our role in community projects,” Poston said.

Nelson said that she “was delighted with this expression of confidence in her and excited about the opportunity to manage this great television station that has such a long and noble record of service to the Delta region. I look forward to continuing to add to that record.”
“What an awesome opportunity to be the General Manager of the number six rated ABC affiliate television station in the entire country. That's the blessing that has come my way. Not only am I the overseer of the station where I began my career, but I'm also the first female to be given this opportunity in the Bahakel Corporation. The hard work of almost my entire adult career here has obviously paid off, however, now I feel my work has just begun.,” Nelson said.

She began her career at WABG Radio as an on-the-air personality, later moved into radio sales before moving to TV. She has worked as a news reporter, later becoming a news anchor, meteorologist, sales account executive and, most recently, Local Sales Manager.

A native of Greenwood and a graduate of Greenwood High School, Nelson attended Delta State University for her Meteorological Training. She has been active in a number of local civic organizations. She was honored as a “Top 50 Business Woman Selection” by the Delta Business Journal and “Young Business Woman of the Year” by the Greenwood Professional Business Woman’s Organization.
Nelson commented on her plans and future direction of the station:“My objective, as the General Manager, is to enhance the overall look of the station. We're making some technical changes that will give us a more polished look. One area we don't want change is our news talent. I feel the key to a strong station is the longevity of its on-air talent. We're working to secure our team, especially since we have the best talent in the market.”

She continued “Because of our huge coverage area we have three studio locations. They are in Greenville, Greenwood, and Cleveland. All the communities in our viewing area are important. My objective is to make sure we're a part of all the community happenings. I truly believe that is what will keep us strong in the market is our community involvement and continuing to upgrade our local news.”
“The station is truly a tradition to the area. We'll soon celebrate forty-five years on the air in October. What a story to tell in itself. And to think I've been here more that half of that time. How wonderful is that?”

Bahakel Communications, Ltd., is a diversified communications company, headquartered in Charlotte, NC. They own Fox Affiliated stations in Charlotte and Springfield, IL; a CBS Affiliate in Montgomery, AL; Fox Affiliates in Charlotte and Springfield, IL; and ABC Affiliates in Columbia, SC and Jackson, TN in addition to WABG-TV. The company also owns and operates radio stations in Waterloo, IA, Colorado Springs, CO, and Chattanooga, TN. Additionally, Bahakel owns and operates cable television systems in Virginia and West Virginia. DBJ