After more than four decades on the air and in sales, Steve Falat is calling it a career. The General Manager and Market Manager of Max Media’s River Radio, the six-station group serving Southern Illinois, announced his retirement.
Falat began his professional broadcasting career in 1983 while attending Southern Illinois University, working at WSIU-FM as one of six paid student staff members who helped oversee the stations’ daily operations alongside student volunteers.
After SIU, Falat worked as an on-air personality, Production Director, Program Director, and Operations Manager before moving into sales at Zimmer Radio Group in 1996. He was later promoted to Sales Manager over what would become the River Radio group of stations. Max Media acquired the stations in 2004, and Falat was named General Manager and Market Manager in 2007.
Falat will continue serving River Radio in an advisory role through the end of the year, supporting the organization and its leadership during the transition.
Max Media President John Trinder said, “Steve is the kind of broadcaster and leader every company hopes to have. For 30 years, he has helped define what River Radio means to Southern Illinois. He has led with integrity, resilience, and a genuine commitment to his employees, our listeners, and the communities we serve. When our company faced difficult moments, Steve was the steady hand who kept everyone focused and moving forward. His influence is woven into the culture of these stations, and his impact will be felt for many years to come. We congratulate Steve on an extraordinary broadcasting career and thank him for everything he has given to River Radio, Max Media, and Southern Illinois.”
Max Media EVP of Sales Sean Rhoads stated, “Steve is a true radio operator. It is simply in his blood. But Steve did more than manage radio stations. He helped make them part of the fabric of Southern Illinois. He made the good times better, and when this region faced hardship, he made sure River Radio was there to help people push through it. His charisma draws people in, but it is his heart, loyalty, and instinct for serving others that have made him such an extraordinary leader. I am incredibly grateful to have worked alongside him and even more grateful that we will continue to benefit from his experience and guidance through the end of the year.”
Falat added, “It has been a true honor and privilege to work alongside and lead this incredibly talented group of professionals. Radio has been in my blood and a passion of mine for a very long time. After 43 years in the industry, I am ready for a new challenge that will allow me to continue being part of something meaningful and making a difference in our region.”
