Representing independent groups to the industry’s largest players, the 2026 Radio Wayne Awards finalists have been revealed, honoring the streetfighters, digital sellers, managers, and support staff driving radio’s revenue forward, ahead of NAB Show New York.
Now in its 34th year, the awards are named in honor of “Radio Wayne” Cornils, a small-market broadcaster who went on to serve as executive vice president of the RAB and SVP of Radio at the NAB. Winners will be crowned live at NAB Show New York on October 21 at the Javits Center in Manhattan for the second consecutive year.
Radio Ink President and Publisher Deborah Parenti said, “This year’s Radio Wayne finalists represent one of the most diverse and competitive lineups in the awards’ 34-year history, spanning markets and media companies of all sizes. Even as our industry navigates modern challenges, the dedication and resilience of these professionals give us a powerful reason to celebrate. ‘Radio Wayne’ Cornils is undoubtedly smiling down on their outstanding achievements.”
2026 Radio Wayne Award Finalists
Streetfighter (Salesperson) of the Year
- Tim Pfender, Audacy, Philadelphia, PA
- Kelly Greeley, Saga Communications-Capitol Media Group, Springfield, IL
- Christine Marshall, Cox Media Group, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), NY
- Penny Dominguez, Davis Broadcasting, Atlanta, GA
- Sue Gosselin, Hall Communications Radio Group, Burlington-Plattsburgh, VT
- James Barton, Longport Media, Atlantic City-Cape May, NJ
- Lindy Goldman, Manchester Media Group, Manchester, NH
- Matt Barnard, Portland Media Group, Portland, ME
- Kevin Tucker, Saga Communications, Columbus, OH
Digital Sales Representative
- Chase Culp, Cumulus Media, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Jim McGown, Beasley Media Group, Boston, MA
- Daniel Olivares, Walnut Media, Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE
- Kevin Seville, Audacy, Chicago, IL
- Anna McGrail, Cumulus Media, Albuquerque, NM
- Ryan Dietrich, Beasley Media Group, Philadelphia, PA
Digital Sales Manager
- Cassie Duncan, Cumulus Media, Memphis, TN
- Codee Fuquay, Urban One, Atlanta, GA
- Daniel Mann, Beasley Media Group, New Jersey
- Whitney Zarder, Saga Communications, Gainesville-Ocala, FL
- Ruth Tambornino, Audacy, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
- Ingrid Diaz, Cumulus Media, Texas
Support Staff
- Keri Credle, Saga Communications, Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, VA
- Karen Maffetone, Cox Media Group, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), NY
- Stacie Perry, Cumulus Media, Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, MI
- Bernadette Thomas, Audacy, Philadelphia, PA
- Gary Saladino, Illini Media Group, Champaign, IL
- Eden Moad, Saga Communications-Des Moines Media Group, Des Moines, IA
DOS/Sales Manager, Nielsen Market Rank 21+
- Vince Gambino, Longport Media, Atlantic City-Cape May, NJ
- Andrew Botwinik, Walnut Media, Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE
- Michele Williams, Baltimore Public Media, Baltimore, MD
- Amber Anderson, Saga Communications, Columbus, OH
- Kurt Hellgren, iHeartMedia, Pittsburgh, PA
DOS/Sales Manager, Nielsen Market Rank 1-20
- Sal Abatemarco, Cox Media Group, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), NY
- Brian Schneekloth, Beasley Media Group, Boston, MA
- Jessica Martinez, Spanish Broadcasting System, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- Ivy Savoy-Smith, Audacy, Washington, DC
- Tim Gratzer, Cumulus Media, Houston-Galveston, TX
Market/General Manager, Nielsen Market Rank 21+
- Paul Kelly, Longport Media, Atlantic City-Cape May, NJ
- Jim Kallas, Riverfront Broadcasting, Spearfish, SD
- Paul O’Malley, Saga Communications, Charleston, SC
- Debbie Patten, Connoisseur Media, Fredericksburg, VA
- Ken Kowalcek, Cumulus Media, Tucson, AZ
Market/General Manager, Nielsen Market Rank 1-20
- Dan Bennett, Cumulus Media, Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
- Cynthia Saucedo, Spanish Broadcasting System, Houston-Galveston, TX
- Mary Sandberg Boyle, Nexstar, Chicago, IL
- Jason Meder, Cox Media Group, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
- Alex Cadelago, Cumulus Media, Houston-Galveston, TX, Tucson, AZ, & Albuquerque, NM
