Celebrating 63 years in radio broadcasting, Ann Collister started her career as a trailblazer for women working in male-dominated roles. As a high school graduate enjoying summer vacation and the start of college (1951), Collister went to a job interview to satisfy repeated requests by a neighbor. The friend knew of an opening at a local radio station, but Collister had never considered a career in broadcasting. Getting that job at WOOF radio in Dothan, Alabama, rerouted her career path. Within a few weeks, the broadcast novice had begun to move up the ladder of success.
Collister married the love of her life in 1957. While returning from their honeymoon, the couple stopped for a visit with the bride's sister in Montgomery, Alabama. Collister was again encouraged to apply for a job, this time at WSFA radio. Armed with experience, Collister was hired. Call letters were changed to WHHY– AM, and the young woman became president for Holt-Robinson Communication (1957-1995). She was also president when WHHY became the first FM station to sign on in Montgomery.
Collister is also a pioneer in sales. Quickly grasping the world of broadcasting, she advised the men about accounts and how to sell those accounts. In what proved to be a smart decision by management, Collister was asked to go into sales. Being offered the rare opportunity to work in a “man's world” in 1963, she agreed to try sales on one condition: If it didn't work out she wanted her old job back. As with other successes in her career, Collister quickly outsold the men.
In '95, a former employee who bought stations in the Montgomery market hired his former boss to serve as president of Stroh Communication (1995-2004). In 2004, Stroh sold four stations to Bluewater Group, where Collister served as national sales manager until 2007, when she returned as president of Stroh Communication: WVRV– FM, Montgomery's contemporary Christian station, and WTXK– AM/FM, the city's only FM sports talk station. After more than six decades in radio, Collister continues to love her work.
In addition to having a successful career, a 57-year marriage, two children and five grandchildren, another of Collister's goals in life is to make a difference in her community by volunteering with a myriad of organizations.
Community Service Highlights · Served on Kiwanis Club of Montgomery Board of Directors (second largest Kiwanis Club in the world); presently serves on the Board · First female to serve on Alabama National Fair Board of Directors (sponsored by Kiwanis Club), served as president (2009-2010). Consistently grants up to $400,000 annually throughout the community · Chairman of Retired Senior Volunteer Program; continues to serve as a volunteer member · Board of Directors for Baptist Hospital Foundation and serves on annual fundraiser committee for hospital hospice program · Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce; served as chairman of membership committee · Named Senior of Achievement in 2010 by Montgomery Council on Aging · Served on advisory council for Faith Radio 2003-2004 · Served as president of Montgomery Chapter of Women in Communication · Served as president of Montgomery Chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives · Active member of Taylor Road Baptist Church; serves on personnel committee