Terry Meiners Named 2026 Louisvillian of the Year

The veteran broadcaster will be honored for his decades of work in local media and community philanthropy.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy

A brass award statue on a wooden lectern in a sunlit historic hall, representing the Louisvillian of the Year award. — The American Advertising Federation-Louisville has named veteran broadcaster Terry Meiners as its 76th Louisvillian of the Year for his community contributions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The American Advertising Federation-Louisville has selected Terry Meiners as the 76th recipient of the Louisvillian of the Year award. The honor recognizes his long-standing broadcasting career and significant contributions to city nonprofits.

Why it matters

The annual award highlights individuals whose professional work and charitable efforts strengthen civic life and shape the city future. It serves to celebrate those who have left a lasting positive impact on the Louisville community.

Meiners has been voted Best Radio Personality more than 25 times and served as the host of the WHAS Crusade for Children for 27 consecutive years. The fundraiser has generated over $230 million since its inception in 1954.

The players

Terry Meiners

He is a veteran Louisville radio personality who has hosted local programming for decades.

American Advertising Federation-Louisville

This professional organization advocates for the advertising industry and oversees the selection of the annual Louisvillian of the Year.

WHAS Crusade for Children

This major charity organization provides support to children with special needs through extensive annual fundraising.

The details

Meiners, who began his radio career in 1976 and joined WHAS-AM in 1986, is being recognized for his influence on Louisville's creative legacy. The formal presentation of the award will take place at The Olmsted.

The Louisvillian of the Year award was first presented in 1950.
The WHAS Crusade for Children began its fundraising mission in 1954.
Terry Meiners launched his professional radio career in 1976.
Terry Meiners became part of the WHAS-AM team in 1986.
The awards ceremony will occur on December 2, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Market Landscape

This award aligns with a long-standing tradition of honoring local figures who integrate professional broadcasting success with charitable engagement. It positions the recipient as a central pillar in the city's civic and media environment.

Residents can attend the formal ceremony at The Olmsted on December 2 to participate in the public recognition of the recipient. The honor acknowledges the long-term community work of a figure familiar to many local radio listeners.

The takeaway

Civic awards often highlight the intersection between professional media careers and sustained community service. Recognizing long-term contributions helps maintain a sense of shared city identity and encourages continued philanthropic participation.