Ben's first civilian job was in the newspaper business in North Carolina but soon moved into sales with the broadcasting industry in North and South Carolina. In 1955, he was offered a position as General Manager of WSGN in Birmingham where he led that station to become the first full time 'top 40' station in Birmingham. Ben also created a great launching pad for some of Birmingham's and the nation's best loved on-air personalities. He was the Vice President and General Manager of WSGN from 1955-1979 and served as President from 1980 -1982. Ben accepted the position as Executive Director of the Alabama Broadcasting Association and served in that position for 20 years until 2000.
Ben's career also includes many honors: Alabama Broadcaster of Year 1979, University of Alabama Distinguished Broadcaster Award, Birmingham Ad Club Silver Medal Award, Governor – Seventh District- Advertising Federation of America and National Association of Broadcasters State Executive of the Year 2000. Ben also holds another honor that gives him great joy; he served a three year term as Elder in Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church.
Ben McKinnon has served on committees, as a Board Member and as President to many organizations: Committee Member Alabama Emergency Alert System (EAS), International Motor Sports Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, University of Alabama Collage of Communications Board of Visitors, and University of Alabama. Ben has been President of Alabama Broadcasters Association, President of Birmingham Advertising Club, President of Jefferson County Chapter American Cancer Society, Board Member Birmingham Metro Chamber of Commerce, Board Member Jefferson County March of Dimes and Board Member Birmingham Better Business Bureau.
Ben has three children and one grandchild: daughter Dr. Sharon McKinnon Burns, Northeastern University, Boston; daughter Ellen McKinnon Fowler – Weaverville, N.C.; daughter Lisa McKinnon, Hoover, AL; grandson Justin Kirkman Unkel, Oxford, AL.
Direct from our Newsletter Archives – August 1983
Presidential Profile Feature (1966-67)
"A native Tar Heel, Ben McKinnon graduated from the University of North Carolina with an AB in Journalism in 1943. While at Carolina, he was editor of 'Tar n Feathers', the campus humor magazine, when it was abolished by the Student Legislature as a detriment to the University. (Although this is my primary claim to fame, I also had a notable career scouting for General George Custer, lookout on the U.S.S. Titanic and most recently as Security Guard at the Watergate Complex.).
After three years active Navy duty in WWII, his first civilian job was editor of three weekly newspapers in Lumberton, N.C. (When my $65.00 per week salary check bounced, I made the decision to get out of the newspaper business.)
He then became Director of Advertising/Public Relations/Safety & Editor of “GO” magazine with the Carolina Motor Club, AAA, in Charlotte, N.C. (First, I answered a blind ad and was offered a job by a Venetian blind company.)
In Charlotte, Ben became friends with musician-writer Arthur Smith who wrote 'Guitar Boogie' and 'Dueling Banjos'. Arthur had a daily radio show on WBT radio. While serving as Arthur's manager, he learned the radio sales business, became a full time WBT salesman and later Local Sales Manager. "