People in the News

Cumulus has named James Kurdziel PD for Twin Cities Classic Rock station KQRS-FM. Kurdziel will continue as PD and midday host for Alternative Rocker WEDG-FM in Buffalo until a replacement is found. Kurdziel replaces Scott Jameson who left in January.

Orv Graham is best known for his time at WSOY-AM, where he was on the air until 1983 before moving on to become Sales Manager and General Manager. 

On Wednesday evening Saga Communications announced that Milwaukee Radio Group General Manager Annmarie Topel is retiring and 31 year PD Bob Bellini has been promoted to GM.

Felcia Middlebrook, WBBM Newsradio 780, will retire May 29. In an open letter to colleagues and listeners Middlebrook said she is not retiring, but rewiring.

United Stations will now distribute The Tommy and Kelly Show to radio stations nationwide. The weekday program features Tommy McFly and Kelly Collis who were paired for nearly a decade in Mornings on Entercom’s WIAD (“Fresh FM”) in Washington, D.C. 

John Dimick is promoted to the newly created position of SVP of Programming Operations for the Cumulus Radio Station Group. Dimick was VP of Programming Operations, a position he has held since he joined the company in 2016.

Longtime San Diego radio host Steve West has died after battling several types of cancer for years. West, who was working weekends on Entercom's Alt 949, had been in the San Diego market for decades. He started out at 91X back in 1983. West was 68 years old.

David Wood is the new Vice President of Programming for Emmis-Indianapolis. Wood, who joined Emmis 10 years ago, has already started his new role. Emmis Indianapolis includes The Fan 93.5/107.5, WIBC 93.1, B105.7, Hank FM 97.1 and Network Indiana.

David Glenn Smith aka Hurricane Dave has joined the KJLH team as a programming, marketing and operations consultant. Karen Slade VP/GM stated “We are happy to have Hurricane Dave consult TEAM KJLH."

Erskine Faush, Sr. and his partner Shelley Stewart were broadcast pioneers in Birmingham. Shelley and Erskine partnered as radio station owners at Ebony Broadcasting —“the authentic voice for African Americans in Birmingham”—for nearly 20 years, until they sold WATV(AM) to Sheridan Broadcasting in 2004.