Hugh Smith (1915-2006) has been described as a “great broadcaster and one of the all-time nice guys in our industry.” He was also known as a pioneer in the broadcast business by building the first UHF station in the Southeast in 1953, WCOV-TV in Montgomery AL, and making it profitable.

He was born in Newton, MS but grew up in Laurel, MS where he attended Laurel High School and Jackson Commercial College. Hugh started his career as an announcer at WZML in Laurel, MS. He then moved into sales and then into management.

After a brief stint in the U.S. Navy he constructed WLAU in Laurel. He then came to Alabama and operated the Covington Radio stations in Montgomery, Selma and Gadsden. In 1966 he moved to Birmingham as Executive Vice President of WBMG-TV and operated the station until his retirement in Dec. 1980. He served as a Vice President of the company and consultant to management.

Hugh had many contributions to the broadcast industry and community in both Montgomery and Birmingham. He served as President of the Montgomery Ad Club and received their Man of Year Award in 1964. He was a Board Member of National Association of Broadcasters. He also served as the State Heart Fund Chairman for American Heart Association in 1979. Hugh and his wife were avid duplicate bridge players; he was a Silver Life Master and in their honor the Birmingham Bridge Club was re-named the Doris and Hugh Smith Bridge Center.

Hugh and his wife Doris were married for 66 years and they have two sons and four grandchildren.
Their sons are Dr. William H. Smith of Birmingham, AL and Dr. John M. Smith of Tucson, AZ. In his retirement Hugh served as a volunteer for St. Vincent’s Hospital and read for the Blind at the Public Radio Station.

Additional Industry and Civic Honors and Service

· Alabama Broadcaster of the Year 1976

· President of Mississippi Broadcasters in 1949

· Montgomery Sales Executive Club

· Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Montgomery, AL

· President of Alabama Broadcasting Association in 1963

· Served on the Boards in Birmingham of the Arthritis Foundation, Red Cross, Salvation Army and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

· Served as Secretary of the downtown Kiwanis Club

· President and Treasurer of both the Birmingham Bridge Club and Alabama Bridge Association