The Webb School of Knoxville honored a member of the WBIR family on Friday. The school presented Jim Hart its Distinguished Alumnus award for his extensive work in television and the community.
Hart served as general manager and vice president for two stations, including our very own during the '80s until 1994. He spent more than 35 years in television, working in various leadership roles, including Scripps Howard Broadcasting and the E.W. Scripps Company.
Friday, he motivated young people to be leaders, speaking before Webb Elementary, middle and high school students.
Hart says Webb is a whole lot different since he attended school there.
"It's like landing on Mars compared to what it was like when I was here. Because, we were here the first year that people came out to this campus to go to school here in 1959-60," he said.
Hart's influence reached beyond television, giving back to the community and the environment in so many ways.
He has been leading the Friends of the Smokies for many years, and serves as the group's presidents since 2005.