WDEV-AM General Manager Steve Cormier is leaving the station and Radio Vermont Group after nearly a decade. The news comes as Radio Vermont Group, owned by the Squier family since 1931, is being sold to Mermel & McLain Management, an NYC real estate firm.
Myers Mermel, a former Conservative think tank leader with backgrounds in investment banking and real estate, initially indicated that Cormier would continue as general manager after his purchase of the company. However, Ashley Jane Squier confirmed Cormier’s departure to VTDigger but did not clarify whether it was a voluntary exit or a termination.
Mermel has now taken over responsibilities regarding operational matters, financial inquiries, and emergency station issues, hinting at the new owners’ growing involvement.
Cormier joined WDEV in 2015 and took on the managerial role in 2017. Cormier had tried to purchase the Waterbury-based station in 2017 but was unable to finalize the funding.
Other signals involved with the sale include WLVB, WCVT, and three FM translators. The transition of ownership is expected to finalize soon, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
Well, that sucks. Pardon my French. Yet another ma and pa owned broadcasting outlet, one with a huge rich history of broadcasting in rural Vermont, gets bought out by an investment firm with zero broadcasting experience and zero roots in the community. So goes the slow death of radio as we once knew it. Maybe they can flip it into a condominium and sell shares!