Steve Hartline Receives Leadership Award

Robert W. Varnell Jr. Leadership Award presented to Steve Hartline
 

CLEVELAND, TN – Steve Hartline, Owner of Hartline LLC which includes radio stations WCLE AM 1570, 101.3 The Buzz, Mix 104,1 and Fiesta Radio 99.1 along with MixTV, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Robert W. Varnell Jr. Leadership Award.
 

Presented in memory of the late Robert W. Varnell Jr., the award recognizes a person demonstrating excellence in leadership and profession, commitment to community, religion, high morals, and ethical standards.
 

Steve Hartline, a native of Bradley County, received his education locally, attending George R. Stuart

Elementary School and graduating from Cleveland High School. He also received his degree in Communications in 2000 from Lee University. His career in radio began at age 15 when he worked for WCLE, then owned by Cleveland Mayor Emeritus Tom Rowland. Some of the responsibilities included broadcasting high school baseball and Cleveland State basketball.
 

In 2008, Steve purchased the station and quickly began growing its presence and impact in the area. In addition to relocating to a new facility to accommodate the growth, he added a talk station (101.3 The Buzz), a Hispanic station (Fiesta 99.1) and a streaming television channel (MixTV).
 

His accolades are many and include a Hall of Fame recognition from Cleveland High School, and School of Communications Alumnus of the Year from Lee University. He is also the recipient of the Communicator of the Year Award from the Cleveland Media Association. With his much-deserved recognition as an outstanding communicator, Steve has always made it a point to turn the attention locally by supporting his community. He has served on various boards including Tennessee Christian Preparatory School, ATS The Bridge, and the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce where he served on the executive committee as Vice Chairman of Public Affairs. Steve is also the recipient of the Chamber’s prestigious Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year in 2020.
 

His passion for community and the organizations that make a difference drives him to be constant

supporter of their efforts. With the power of radio and community, the station provides a platform for charitable and nonprofit organizations to promote their endeavors and causes.
 

Steve and his wife, Jennifer, and their children, Reagan and Holden, attend First Baptist Church.