GAB Names 2026 Honors Award Recipients

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, August 21, 2026 | 4:32pm CT

Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB)

The Georgia Association of Broadcasters has announced the recipients of its 2026 GAB Honors Awards, which will be presented during GABCON, September 25-26 at the Gas South District Convention Center in Duluth, GA.

This year's honorees are Savannah Bananas founder Jesse Cole as Georgian of the Year, State Representative Clint Crowe as Legislator of the Year, WSB-TV Atlanta's Michael Williams with the Ditty-McLemore Engineering Award and WRDW-WAGT Augusta's Estelle Parsley with the Golden Mic Award.

Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Banana Ball Championship League, is being recognized for his impact on Georgia and for transforming the Savannah Bananas into an international entertainment brand. The organization says Banana Ball has more than 35 million social media followers, while the Bananas have sold out every game since their inaugural season and built a ticket waiting list numbering in the millions.

Crowe represents Georgia House District 118 and has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 2020. He chairs the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee and serves on several other committees. Before entering the legislature, Crowe spent a decade in law enforcement and has worked in real estate for more than 20 years.

Williams, Senior Manager of IT at WSB-TV, receives the Ditty-McLemore Engineering Award recognizing exceptional contributions to broadcast engineering. He has more than 30 years of broadcast industry experience, including more than 18 years at WSB-TV and over 28 years with Cox Media Group across radio and television.

Parsley, Vice President of News for WRDW-WAGT, receives the Golden Mic Award for her contributions to the GAB and Georgia broadcasting. During her more than three decades in local journalism, she has emphasized investigative reporting and journalist development. Under her leadership, WRDW-WAGT has received 10 National Edward R. Murrow Awards, 40 regional Murrow Awards and 14 Southeast Emmys.

Parsley has personally received four National Murrow Awards and six Emmys and has been inducted into the NATAS Silver Circle and GAB Hall of Fame.

"These four honorees represent the very best of Georgia... from broadcasting and public service to innovation and community impact," said GAB President Randy Gravley. "We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and look forward to celebrating each of them this fall at GABCON 2026."

Crowe's Legislator of the Year Award will be presented during the "Breakfast with Counsel" on September 26. Cole, Williams and Parsley will receive their awards later that day during the GAB Honors Luncheon.