In a memo to the Salem staff, Broadcast Media President David Santrella announced the retirement of Philadelphia Market Manager Russ Whitnah after 23 years at the helm in that city. Salem purchased WFIL in Philadelphia in 1993 and Whitnah took over as GM in January 1994. That year, a second station (now WNTP) was added to the cluster.
Whitnah’s career started in 1972 as a sales rep for the campus radio station while he was attending Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining Salem he held sales positions at KMOD in Tulsa and KTOK in Oklahoma City, and leadership positions in Colorado Springs, Harrisburg, and the QUAD Cities during a career spanning 44 years.
Whitnah said, “I look forward to passing the baton to the next generation of leadership in Philadelphia. Serving alongside my co-workers and our ministries for the past 23 years has been a tremendous joy and privilege. Working for Salem Media Group has been the most rewarding work experience of my life. The Salem leadership at the top levels of our company are without doubt the highest-caliber professionals in the communications industry today. May you continue to find God’s favor as you share the thrilling truth of the gospel message of Jesus Christ.”
Whitnah will stay on until the end of the year. The search for his successor is underway.
