Nikki Thomas Named PD of WXBQ/Bristol
• For the first time in 35 years, Bristol Broadcasting’s heritage Country outlet WXBQ/Bristol, VA/TN has a new Program Director — format veteran Nikki Thomas will succeed station legend Bill Hagy, who has been at the helm of the station since its launch. Hagy said, “Since ‘retiring’ little over four years ago we’ve been searching for the right someone to lead WXBQ into the future… and we’ve found that someone with Nikki. I have full confidence she will continue to build on WXBQ’s long history of success.”
Thomas spent the past three years programming Cumulus Country WIVK in her hometown of Knoxville, TN until July. She previously spent nine years at sister KATM (Kat Country 103)/Modesto-Stockton, CA, the last five as PD. Prior to that, she worked for CBS Radio’s KWYE/Fresno and WKSF/Asheville, NC.
Operations Manager Jason Reed commented, “Nikki has a track record of nurturing heritage brands like WXBQ. She’s incredibly passionate and has an addicting energy. I’m excited to have her on our programming team here in the Tri-Cities.”
Thomas remarked, “I’ve been a Bill Hagy fan for years. He’s one of the best programmers in the business and has built one of the most iconic brands in radio. He’s had the guts to program the station to super-serve the people of the Tri-Cities when so many other programmers have tried to sound like everyone else. WXBQ sounds like WXBQ. It’s impossible to meet Bristol Broadcasting President Lisa Nininger-Bouldin and General Manager Roger Bouldin and not love them. Lisa has kept her dad’s vision of what radio should be… alive and well. I feel fortunate to be a part of the future of this company. It’s an honor and a privilege to be welcomed into the Cradle of Country Music by the Bristol Broadcasting family.”
Hagy will consult the station during the transition and will continue to serve as an officer on Bristol Broadcasting’s board of directors after that time. Nikki Thomas can now be reached at Nikki at 276-669-8112 or nikki@wxbq.com.
