Zoller Co-Host Pastor Rod Hughey Dies at 54
Martha Zoller, host of “The Martha Zoller Show” on Jacobs Media’s WDUN-AM/FM, Gainesville, Georgia tells TALKERS magazine that her co-host Pastor Rod Hughey passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday (3/27). Hughey began hosting and filling in on WDUN in 2020. Zoller comments, “I met Rod through the organized protest in Gainesville during the George Floyd era. He put together law enforcement, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and community members to have open dialogue and to make sure something like George Floyd never happened in our area. I knew I had to talk to him after that.” In addition to his radio work, Hughey was pastor of the Atlanta Community Church, Gainesville campus and had been an active member of the community, serving as a chaplain for the Gainesville Police Department. He is survived by his wife, Vel, and children. Pictured above are (clockwise from top left): Zoller, Bill Maine, Hughey, and Senator Raphael Warnock.
in 1979 from the University of Georgia with a degree in Journalism from the prestigious Grady School of Journalism, she worked in the corporate world and met a payroll. She is a wife, mother and a grandmother. She’s stayed at home and juggled children and working priorities. She says there is no glass ceiling and women can have it all, just not at the same time. A life-long learner, she completed her MA in Political Science in 2021 at the University of Georgia’s School of Politics and International Affairs. Her thesis was on women’s electoral success in the GOP. During her formidable broadcasting career in the Peach State, she has pivoted between holding positions on key talk stations and performing stints in politics and the public sector. These include being state director of field offices for Governor Brian Kemp. She’s also worked for Senator David Perdue in senior staff positions. In addition to her daily duties at WDUN, Zoller serves on the Georgia State Board of Education. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison says, “Martha Zoller is a perfect ‘go-to’ guest to discuss the Georgia Trump indictment. She’s an independent Republican and moderate conservative without an ax to grind. I have always found her to be an extremely credible source for political discussion of the hot issues – now with the Trump Georgia story boiling on the front burner, she is a talk show treasure for her industry colleagues.” To arrange an interview or set up a connection with Martha Zoller, contact Victoria Jones at DC Radio Company at 917-865-3991 or 
who is considered the top personal finance guru in the country. But here in Central Florida, loyal listeners had to wait for rebroadcasts of the program late into the night. That changed this week when ‘The Ramsey Show’ began airing live weekday afternoons on ‘The Shepherd’ radio stations.” MARC chief revenue officer Scott Miller comments, “We couldn’t wait to bring ‘The Ramsey Show’ live to our Florida listeners. This is not just talk radio, it’s life changing. What more important message could we bring to our growing base of listeners than live financial peace based on The Greatest Book of All?”
Hosting Career.” The session, sponsored by C. Crane, was introduced by managing partner, Goldman McCormick PR and syndicated host, Ryan McCormick (pictured at right) and moderated by WPHT, Philadelphia host, Dom Giordano (pictured above). Panelists (pictured below from left to right) include Heather Cohen, SVP, the Weiss Agency; Martha Zoller, host, WDUN-AM/FM, Gainesville, GA; Frank Morano, host WABC, New York; Rich Valdes, host, Westwood One; and Jeff Katz, host, WRVA, Richmond, VA. 
after suffering a cardiac event. Finch was director of sales for Broadcasters General Store. Previously, he held sales positions with Enco Systems and MusicMaster Inc. For many years, he served as an air personality on Gainesville/Ocala, Florida music stations WTRS-FM and WMFQ-FM.
and 2022 guiding the charitable organization to more than quadruple the amount of financial aid it distributes to radio and TV professionals in acute need from $400,000 to nearly $2 million last year. “I am very proud to have known Jim for nearly 40 years as a colleague and a friend,” said Scott Herman, chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation. “Jim believed deeply in helping others and his passion and enthusiasm for life always lit up a room. He always saw the positive in every person and every situation.” Prior to his service to the industry as president of the BFoA, Thompson had been president and CEO of Group W Radio, the second largest radio company in the country during his leadership, and along with Mike Craven was co-owner of Liberty Broadcasting, a 19-station radio group concentrated on the East Coast. He began his broadcasting career as an account executive at KYW-TV, Philadelphia in 1971, where he rose to vice president and general manager. An innovator and visionary, Thompson created the Radio-Mercury Awards to encourage and reward excellence in radio creative. He served on the boards of the Radio Advertising Bureau and the Advertising Council, was vice chairman of the Pennsylvania State Broadcasters Association and a member of numerous committees, including the NAB Radio Futures Committee. A member of the U.S. Army, Thompson served in Vietnam. The presentation will be made by talk show host Harry Hurley of WPG, Atlantic City at TALKERS 2023 on Friday, June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island.
student has pivoted between holding positions on key talk stations and performing stints in politics and the public sector. These include being State Director of Field Offices for Governor Brian Kemp. She’s also worked for former U.S. Senator David Perdue in senior staff positions. Back in 2011, she announced her candidacy for Congress in Georgia’s new 9th Congressional District and temporarily left the airwaves to campaign full time. She made it to the runoff in that race, but did not win, although her impressive showing was a victory unto itself. Among her many roles, she has served on the Georgia State Board of Education since 2020. Zoller has been designated the TALKERS 2023 “Woman of the Year” and will be presented the prestigious award at the publication’s national conference on June 2 at Hofstra University on Long Island. 
