Kelly Batchelor
Kelly Batchelor hails from the small crossroads community of Cabin in Duplin County in eastern North Carolina. A graduate of the Lenoir Community College two year radio program, Kelly received her Associates Degree of Applied Science in Broadcast Technology in 1989. For the past 23 years Kelly has been actively employed in the Carolinas' radio industry.
Kelly's first broadcast job was with WAVY/ 99.5 FM, the New Bern start-up station, with an adult contemporary/jazz The New Bern start-up station, with an adult contemporary/jazz format, was a great training ground. With six-and-a-half-hour, on-air shifts, six days a week, Kelly was soon quite comfortable behind the microphone. She also served as public service director and assistant music director.
After two years with WAVY, Kelly went on to WSFL 106.5 FM where she took on a new role as morning show host, producer, and news director for the active rock station. In 1995, the station's format changed to classic rock under the new ownership.
After many years with WSFL, Kelly moved to Florence, SC, to take a position with Cumulus Broadcasting. Her time away from eastern North Carolina was brief as she discovered after 10 years in commercial radio, that she had "become disillusioned with the constraints of the rock format, and the numerous staff, ownership and format changes." She decided to return to New Bern where, after taking extended vacation from radio, Kelly found her way to Public Radio East.
In addition to being the Broadcast Supervisor Kelly plays a pivotal role Morning Edition's local host. As one listens to Kelly delivering ENC's most in-depth newscasts, it appears that she's made the transition from rock and roll to public radio flawlessly. She says, "I'm certainly enjoying the interaction with our listeners. And I'm very proud to be associated with reliable, intelligent, and informative radio that fulfills its mission of connecting eastern North Carolina to the world.