Bahakel Communications has announced a leadership change at its Chattanooga properties.

Bernie Barker will retire as General Manager of AC “Sunny 92.3” WDEF-FM, CHR “Hits 96.5” WDOD-FM, Classic Country “Q97.3/99.3” WUUQ/W257AZ and AAA “Alt 98.7” 1370 WXCT/98.7 W254DB on June 30. Barker joined Bahakel in 2009 after stints as Market Manager for Cumulus in Montgomery and Mobile AL. He has also managed in Birmingham and Columbus GA.

Rising to General Manager will be Danny Howard. Howard has been with the company since 1993. He joined the company as OM/PD of WDEF-FM and rose to Station Manager/Director of Programming in 2009. Howard previously programmed WLMX Chattanooga and WQMX Rome GA.

Bahakel Communications Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Beverly Bahakel announces that 12-year General Manager Bernie Barker will retire on June 30.

To replace Mr. Barker, Bahakel has tapped 28-year Bahakel Chattanooga veteran, Danny
Howard. Mr. Howard has been station manager/director of Programming since 2009 and previously has been operations manager/director of Programming. Prior to Bahakel, Mr. Howard worked at WLMX in Chattanooga as program director and at WQTU in Rome, Ga. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and has been working in radio since high school at WHCC/WQNS Waynesville/Asheville, N.C.

Regarding Mr. Howard’s promotion, Ms. Bahakel said, “Danny Howard embodies Bernie’s love for the industry and an excitement for the future of Radio. He will continue to work with Bernie during this transition, and to bring new ideas to the table for the Chattanooga market.”

Mr. Barker began his career in Radio at the age of 14 at WJHO in Opelika, Al. After graduating from Auburn University, he began working at WDAK in Columbus, Ga. as a program director and later as vice president and general manager until 1981. Mr. Barker was also a partner in radio station ownership in Columbus, Ga., Albany, Ga. and Memphis. Prior to joining Ms. Bahakel in 2009, Mr. Barker was a market manager with Cumulus in Montgomery and Mobile, Al. for 11 years and in Birmingham for 14 years.

During his career Mr. Barker held the position of president for the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, Alabama Association of Broadcasters (1993) and Georgia Association of Broadcasters (1973). He also served for five years on the board and one year as president of the Nielsen (formerly Arbitron) Radio Advisory Council.

In 2000, Mr. Barker was named Broadcaster of the Year by the Alabama Association of Broadcasters and was inducted into the Alabama Radio Hall of Fame. He is also a recipient of the Advertising Club’s Silver Medal Award. Outside of Broadcasting, Mr. Barker has been married to his wife Jacquelyn for 58 years and they have two children and one granddaughter.

In making the announcement, Ms. Bahakel said “Bernie is a consummate GM with a love for the business and a heart for its future. He has brought to the table a wealth of experience and a love of his team.”