People in the News

STAR 101.5 (KPLZ/Seattle) has added Mario Lopez to their air talent line-up starting Monday, July 9. Lopez will be heard 7-11 p.m. weeknights, replacing the All Music Nights feature on STAR 101.5. He will add customized local content to his show. 

Joe Brewer is now President of Business Operations and Innovation of Katz Media Group. He will lead the company’s programmatic, data, and technology initiatives. Brewer joined Katz in 1996 as VP of Information Technology Services, and has since held leadership roles such as VP of Client Services and SVP, Chief Information Officer. 

Lisa Dent has been named weekend host for BIG 95.5/Chicago, effective June 16. Dent will broadcast Saturdays from 12–6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and report to Lance Houston, Program Director for BIG 95.5.

Trevor Morini has been named Program Director for Austin stations 96.7 KISS-FM (KHFI-FM) and Alt 97.5 (KASE-FM HD2). Morini has been with iHeart for three years, most recently serving as PD and afternoon drive host for 92.1 The Beat in Tulsa.

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has chosen Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, to be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43rd Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon. Hosting the luncheon will be another television news veteran, Erica Hill of CNN.

Vegas Stats & Information Network, a network dedicated to sports gambling information, has announced a partnership with former CBS Radio CEO Dan Mason, who will join VSiN as an advisor and investor, participating in all aspects of the company’s operations. Mason is also an advisor to iHeartMedia and that role will not change with this new position at VSiN.

Kathy Smith is the new VP/Market Manager for Cumulus' six radio stations in Eugene, OR. Smith moves to Cumulus from Alpha where she was GSM for Alpha's seven radio stations in Portland, OR. Prior to that, she was Director of Strategic Sales and Marketing, and GSM for Entercom's six-station cluster in Portland.

WKKO-FM/K100 Toledo PD and morning show host Gary Shores will pass the programming duties over to Ohio native Jerry Mac. Mac joins K100 from Community Broadcasters in Elmira, where he was Operations Manager.

Chris Winkle, President, CEO, and controlling partner of WCYN Radio in Cynthiana has been named the new President and CEO of the Kentucky Broadcasters Association. Winkle began his radio career at WCYN as the age of 19 as the business and traffic manager.

Beginning Friday, August 10, with the Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons game, Dan Graca is expanding his role on 98.7 ESPN New York as he joins the New York Jets game-day radio team. Graca will work alongside former Jets linebacker Greg Buttle during the pregame, halftime, and post-game shows.