State Pie-Job Pa: Rep. Matthew Hill's Dad lands $150k TRA job

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The Johnson City Press article fails to mention that new stamped Tennessee Regulatory Authority Director Kenneth C. Hill is also a member of the Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee and voted to strip TNGA House Speaker Kent Williams of his GOPer "bona fides"...once a small-time radio evangelist-conservative talk show host ranting against "big government" (Nielsen could only estimate the minute market share of Hill's WPWT 870-AM d.b.a. Information Communications Corporation in Northeast Tennessee) , Hill has comfortably landed himself into a job that only requires the TRA Directors to meet in Nashville for two days out of every month:

Broadcaster Hill begins term as new TRA director
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/09/News/article.php?ID=69731
By Brad Hicks
Press Staff Writer
[e-mail]

...

“I am grateful to Lt. Gov. Ramsey and the members of the Tennessee General Assembly for entrusting me with this responsibility and opportunity to serve the people of Tennessee,” Hill said in a release. “My staff and I look forward to working with the TRA staff to provide quality judgment and informed regulation to balance the interest of utility providers and customers.”

Jessica Johnson, TRA public information officer, said the agency is charged with regulating privately-owned utilities throughout the state.

According to a TRA news release, Hill has been active in communications and broadcasting for more than three decades in various aspects of television and radio. For the past 25 years, Hill has been affiliated with the Appalachian Educational Communication Corp. in Bristol, and at the time of his appointment to the TRA was chief executive officer and served as general manager of five radio stations reaching portions of East Tennessee and four surrounding states, the release states.

Johnson said while Hill’s communications interests have been maintained, he is not running the stations day-to-day. She said Hill’s TRA director’s salary will be $150,000 annually.

Hill has served as secretary of the General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church, chairman of the Publications Board of the Evangelical Methodist Church, member of the board of directors of the Tri-Cities Mass Choir, member of the board of the Sister Community Project between Sullivan County and Siguatepeque, Honduras, and member of the Bristol Evening Lions Club. Hill is also a former member of the Sullivan County Board of Zoning Appeals.

Hill, father of state Rep. Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough, and his wife, Janet, reside in Blountville.



Tennessee State Representative Matthew Hill, R-Jonesborough

The release said Hill has chosen Tabatha Blackwell, who previously served on Hargett’s staff, as his senior policy advisor, and Jimmie Hughes of Bristol as his executive assistant.

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1. Hill position not disclosed by TRA

Name
I.D. Number
APPALACHIAN PERFORMING ARTS INSTITUTE, INC.
0317604
Business Type*: CORPORATION
Profit/Nonprofit: NONPROFIT
Status*: ACTIVE
Date of Formation/Qualification: 09/05/1996
Domestic/Foreign: DOMESTIC
Place of Incorporation/Organization: SULLIVAN
Duration: PERPETUAL

FYC(Fiscal Year Closing) Month: DECEMBER

Principal Office:
Address Line 1: 139 POLO DRIVE
Address Line 2:
City: BLOUNTVILLE
State: TN
Zip: 37617
Other than USA:

Registered Agent:
Name: KENNETH C. HILL
Address Line 1: 139 POLO DRIVE
Address Line 2:
City: BLOUNTVILLE
State: TN
Zip: 37617

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2. Appalachian Performing Arts Institute, Rep. Matthew Hill & FCC

The Appalachian Performing Arts Institute is also tied to TRA Director Hill's son, Tennessee State Rep. Matthew Hill through both the rep's Statement of Interest disclosure form (wherein Rep. Matthew Hill is briefly listed as "President" when APAI recently had current applications for new radio stations on file with the Federal Communications Commission) and FCR violations through Appalachian Performing Arts Institute...

TRA Director Hill is the President of the 501(c)(3) Appalachian Educational Communication Corporation d.b.a. WHCB 91.5 FM and the Cameo Theatre.

In my estimation, it appears that the Hill's attempted to circumvent FCC broadcast owner-application limits during a window of time for non-commercial broadcasting by dusting off the dormant, on-paper Appalachian Performing Arts Institute non-profit (both the TRA Director Hill and Tennessee Rep. Hill were listing their home addresses under different records for the Appalachian Performing Arts Institute.

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3. Lt. Governor Ramsey Attends TRA Director Hill's swearing-in

Team Ron Ramsey's Blog - Ron Ramsey Kicks Off East TN Fundraising Schedule
http://teamronramsey.com/blog/Ron-Ramsey-Kicks-Off-East-TN-Fundraising-Schedule.html
Posted by: admin in Untagged on Jun 16, 2009

Gubernatorial Candidate Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey kicked off an aggressive fundraising campaign in East Tennessee on Monday with three fundraisers in the Tri-Cities area.

Ron started the day with a lunch at the home of Greg and Nicole Miller of Kingsport.

Later he stopped by the Sullivan County Courthouse for the swearing in of new Tennessee Regulatory Authority Director, Dr. Kenneth Hill.

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4. Dire straights at TRA Director Hill's Je$u$ Business

http//www.whcbradio.org

Dear Friend of WHCB 91.5 FM:

Greetings in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I felt it was needful for me to write to you and explain a number of things that have been happening here at WHCB 91.5 FM – The Blessing. WHCB has been undergoing quite a few changes as the economic troubles have become apparent in the diminished giving to the work of WHCB. Most of these changes have been internal, but some will affect the listener.

We have taken the following steps to reduce our cost of keeping WHCB on the air:
• eliminated the paid receptionist positions and are using volunteers
• released one of the technical production staff
• released the overnight voice staff person
• released the overnight weather person
• released one administrative assistant
• canceled the program “The Gospel Greats”
• reduced the income of a senior staff person
• two staff have been removed from our medical insurance
• required staff to pay the 2009 monthly increase in medical insurance
• frozen all spending
• selling all furniture and equipment in the Cameo Theatre and Annex that is not restricted by donors
• have placed for sale the Cameo Theatre, Annex, and three acres on Nininger Road

All of these personnel cuts, along with cutting expenses where we can, will help. However, there is only so much you can cut and still offer the ministry that is the hallmark of WHCB.

We have cut our budget by about 50%, but we have had a decrease in giving of about 75%. That means we would have to cut another 25% to meet income. With the various obligations of the ministry, we cannot cut another 25% and keep WHCB 91.5 FM on the air.

Before you become alarmed, let me remind you that God has brought WHCB 91.5 FM through many tough times and we expect that He will this time as well. But we know that God has always used His people to send the money necessary to keep WHCB on the air.

Will you help us today with the most generous gift you can give?

Thank you for your prayers and financial support.

WHCB 91.5 FM Is Listener Supported
WHCB 91.5 FM is a non-commercial, educational radio station that depends upon God’s people to keep it on the air. Our listeners give so that WHCB can stay on the air. Your gifts to WHCB are income-tax deductible as allowed by law since WHCB and is parent organization are 501(c)3 tax-exempt. You may give online or mail your gift to WHCB 91.5 FM, P.O. Box 2061, Bristol, Tennessee 37621. Thank you for your support and prayers for WHCB 91.5 FM.

Buildings and Lands for Sale
The Board of Appalachian Educational Communication Corporation wants to be good stewards of the ministry entrusted to them. They have decided to offer several of the ministry properties for sale. The money received for the sales will be used to keep WHCB 91.5 FM on the air.

Here is a listing of some of the real estate to be sold:

The Historic Cameo Theatre at 703 State Street in Bristol, Virginia

The Theatre Annex at 700 State Street in Bristol, Tennessee

The former studios of WHCB at 4045 Weaver Pike in Bluff City, Tennessee

Approximately 3 acres on Nininger Road in Bristol, Virginia


Please pray that God will bring the buyer(s) He would have for these properties. If you are interested in one or more of these properties, phone Quyen Quillin at 423.878.6279, extension 235.


Thanks for your prayers and support for WHCB 91.5 FM!

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5. Tithes to Jesus bankrolling TRA Director Hill's for-profit radio empire

How would you like to be able to purchase radio stations for your own for-profit business valued at one-quarter of a million dollars with only $1,000 down and tithes to Jesus bankrolling with other $249,000?

The Bristol, Tennessee based 501(c)(3) Appalachian Educational Communication Corporation (d.b.a. WHCB 91.5 FM & The Cameo Theatre) sold WHGG & WABN AM radio stations to AECC President Kenneth C. Hill's for-profit Information Communications Corporation for $250,000 with only $1,000 --- that is right, one thousand dollars - cash down - thank you, Je$u$!

Kenneth C. Hill --- radio evangelist and father of Rep. Matthew Hill (Jonesborough)--- was elected in 2006 as the Tennessee Republican State Executive Committeeman, District 2 of both Sullivan County and Johnson County. Rep. Matthew Hill was listed within the 2003 IRS Form 990 "Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax" filed by Appalachian Educational Communication Corporation as a 40 hour per week AECC "Key Employee" compensated at $36,125 during the AECC 2003 tax year:

Broadcasting & Cable
Changing Hands
http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA376545...

By BIA Financial Networks -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/26/2004
WABN(AM) Abingdon (Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol), Va.
PRICE:$50,000
BUYER: Appalachian Educational Communication Corp.(Kenneth C. Hill, president);
owns five other stations, including WHGG(AM), WPWT(AM) and WHCB-FM Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.
SELLER: Abingdon Church of the Nazarene (Dickie Kegley, director)
FACILITIES: 1230 kHz, 1 kW
FORMAT: Oldies/AC

***

Broadcasting & Cable
Deals
http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA629781...
By BIA Financial Networks -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/9/2006
WHGG(AM) Kingsport, Tenn., and WABN(AM) Abingdon, Va.
PRICE:$250,000
BUYER: Information Communications Corp.(Kenneth Hill, president/general manager); owns one other station, WPWT(AM) Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.
SELLER: Appalachian Educational Communication Corp.(Kenneth C. Hill, president/general manager)
FACILITIES: WHGG(AM): 1090 kHz, 10 kW; WABN(AM): 1230 kHz, 1 kW
FORMAT: WHGG(AM): Christian Contemporary; WABN(AM): Oldies
COMMENT: ICC will have the right to rent studio and transmitter/antenna space for WHGG and WABN from AECC at, respectively,$500 and $1,500 per month. AECC is 49% owner and Kenneth Hill 51% owner of ICC.

***

Broadcasting & Cable
Deals
http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA632119...

By BIA Financial Networks -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/3/2006
WHGG(AM) Kingsport, Tenn., WABN(AM) Abingdon, Va.
PRICE:$250,000
BUYER: Information Communications Corp.(Kenneth Hill, president/general manager);
owns one other station, WPWT(AM) Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol
SELLER: Appalachian Educational Communication Corp.(Kenneth C. Hill, president/gm)
FACILITIES: WHGG(AM): 1090 kHz, 10 kW; WABN(AM): 1230 kHz, 1 kW
FORMAT: WHGG(AM): Christian Contemporary; WABN(AM): Oldies

***

Radio Business Report
http://www.rbr.com/epaper/issue210-05-ofd.htm...
Volume 22, Issue 210,
Monday October 26th, 2005
Transactions
250K WHGG-AM & WABN-AM Johnson City-Bristol-Kingsport (Kingsport TN, Abingdon VA) from Appalachian Educational Communication Corporation (Guy Tilley, VP) to Information Communications Corporation (Kenneth C. Hill, pres). 1K deposit, 249K note. Buyer and seller are noncommercial.

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12. correction of URL

***

Radio Business Report
http://www.rbr.com/epaper/issue210-05-ofd.html
Volume 22, Issue 210,
Monday October 26th, 2005
Transactions
250K WHGG-AM & WABN-AM Johnson City-Bristol-Kingsport (Kingsport TN, Abingdon VA) from Appalachian Educational Communication Corporation (Guy Tilley, VP) to Information Communications Corporation (Kenneth C. Hill, pres). 1K deposit, 249K note. Buyer and seller are noncommercial. File date 9/28/05.

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6. Cha-ching!!! Hey Jessica...how much time does the TRA job actually require from Hill?

Broadcaster Hill begins term as new TRA director
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/09/News/article.php?ID=69731
By Brad Hicks
Press Staff Writer
[e-mail]

...

“I am grateful to Lt. Gov. Ramsey and the members of the Tennessee General Assembly for entrusting me with this responsibility and opportunity to serve the people of Tennessee,” Hill said in a release. “My staff and I look forward to working with the TRA staff to provide quality judgment and informed regulation to balance the interest of utility providers and customers.”

Jessica Johnson, TRA public information officer, said the agency is charged with regulating privately-owned utilities throughout the state.

According to a TRA news release, Hill has been active in communications and broadcasting for more than three decades in various aspects of television and radio. For the past 25 years, Hill has been affiliated with the Appalachian Educational Communication Corp. in Bristol, and at the time of his appointment to the TRA was chief executive officer and served as general manager of five radio stations reaching portions of East Tennessee and four surrounding states, the release states.

Johnson said while Hill’s communications interests have been maintained, he is not running the stations day-to-day. She said Hill’s TRA director’s salary will be $150,000 annually.

$150,000 annually --- talk about winning the Tennessee Lottery!

I thought that I could help out "flush out" (or is that "flesh out") some additional details pertaining to the news release by TRA public information officer Jessica Johnson:

according to the most recent IRS Form 990 'Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax' filed by Appalachian Educational Communication Corporation (AECC; EIN 52-1221965) available through Guidestar.org http://www2.guidestar.org/ , TRA Director Kenneth C. Hill was reportedly compensated for a 60 hour average work week with $53,040 for being AECC President in 2007 (up from $51,000 for a reported 40 hour average work week in 2006) and an additional $12,565 in his 2007 employee benefit plan/deferred compensation (the 2006 AECC Form 990 reported zero EBP for TRA Director Hill).

Hill's wife, Janet, also received a modest bump in her AECC salary for her average 15 hour per week compensation from 2006 ($11,550) to 2007 ($13,011) and a gigantic bounce in reported 2007 AECC EBP ($12,565) from the reported 2006 AECC EBP for Mrs. Hill (-0-).

I hope that this information helps Johnson with the official Tennessee Regulatory Authority bio for TRA Director Kenneth C. Hill!

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7. Hill's campaign donation to Ramsey gubernatorial campaign

2010 Early Mid Year Supplemental (2009) for RON RAMSEY (GOVERNOR) submitted on 07/15/2009
http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/tncamp-app/search/pub/report_full.htm?reportId=27298

HILL, KENNETH C.
139 POLO DRIVE
BLOUNTVILLE, TN 37617
ADMIN
WHCB RADIO
Primary 06/02/2009 $1,000.00 $1,000.00

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8. FCC: TRA Director Hill claims to be "American Indian/Alaskan Native"

FCC - Ownership Report Search Results (WPWT - Application)
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/own_list.pl?Facility_id=42652

FCC 323 OWNERSHIP REPORT FOR COMMERCIAL BROADCAST STATIONS
BOA - 20080318AAH (WPWT)
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101239173&formid=323&fac_num=0

FCC Am Query - WPWT
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?state=TN&call=WPWT&arn=&city=&freq=530&fre2=1700&type=0&facid=&class=&list=0&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&NS=N&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&EW=W&size=9

DIRECTOR KENNETH C. HILL
http://www.tennessee.gov/tra/leadership/hillbio.html

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9. Rep. Matthew Hill

Rep. Matthew Hill
http://www.logcabin.org/logcabin/leg-lookup/detailed-one.html?target_id=232946

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10. finally: TRA Director Hill files Statement of Disclosure of Interests (ss-8005)

Statement of Disclosure of Interests (ss-8005)
https://www.tennesseeanytime.org/conflict-app/view_form_8005.htm?id=16786&f=20207&v=5

Date of Filing

2009-08-13

Filer Contact Information

Kenneth Hill View all statements
Tennessee Regulatory Authority, James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Office Held or Sought

Incumbent
Office Holder
Director - Tennessee Regulatory Authority

Sullivan county

Sources of Income

Appalachian Ed Com Corp with recipients Filer Spouse
DU note: Appalachian Educational Communications Corporation, d.b.a. WHCB 91.5 FM, Cameo Theatre
http://www2.guidestar.org/ReportNonProfit.aspx?ein=52-1221965&Mode=GxLite&lid=420942&dl=True">Guidestar - IRS Form 990s

Information Communications Corp. with recipients Filer
doeriver note: d.b.a. WPWT 870 AM et al broadcast radio stations
doeriver note: Appalachian Educational Communications Corporation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity that owns a 49% ownership share of Kenneth C. Hill's privately-owned Information Communications Corporation

Southwest Radio Church with recipients Filer

Investments

Healthy Living, LLC; doeriver note - run-in break: held by Filer

doeriver note: original report run this with the first listed investment Community National Bank of the Area held by Filer

Right Way Marketing, LLC held by Spouse



AECC Director Janet Hill holding book during TRA Director oath of office for Kenneth C. Hill

doeriver note: Tennessee Secretary of State records list the Hill's Blountville residence as being the headquarters of the $1.53 million Johnson City call center; according to the 2007 AECC IRS Form 990 'Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, TRA Director Hill's wife reportedly received compensation of $13,011 and an additional $12,565 employment benefit plan package for her 15 hour work-week at AECC.

IRA-Information Communications Corp held by Filer Spouse

Lobbying
None

Professional Services

Other, Rule 31 Mediator-Family & Civil Mediation furnished by Filer

Retainer Fees
None

Bankruptcy
None

Loans
None

Certification

I certify.
You certify that all of the information you have entered is true, correct, and complete in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Act to the best of your knowledge.

I, the undersigned, do hereby witness that the above information was entered in my presence.

Witness NameQuyen R. Quillin

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11. bump up

bump up