People in the News

Nate Bell has been named Program Director of 97.9 WJLB, “Detroit’s Hip-Hop & R&B,” and Mix 92.3, “Detroit’s R&B and Throwbacks.” As PD, Bell will be responsible for day-to-day programming oversight of 97.9 WJLB and Mix 92.3.

Brooke Morrison has been named Afternoon Personality for Channel 96.1, “#1 For All The Hits In Charlotte,” effective March 26, and broadcasting weekdays 2 to 7 p.m. Morrison will play a variety of Top 40 music from artists such as Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, The Chainsmokers, and Bruno Mars.

Joe Pags, host of the popular nationally syndicated radio show, The Joe Pags Show, will join iHeartMedia Boston’s WRKO-AM 680, “The Voice of Boston,” for weeknights, beginning Monday, March 5.

Dick Broadcasting, Myrtle Beach, has named Charlie Steele Operations Manager for WYAV-FM, WRNN-FM, WYMB-FM, WKZQ-FM, and WRNN-FM. Steele was previously PD for heritage Classic Rock station WQMF and Active Rock station WTFX in Louisville. 

James Pitaro has been named President of ESPN and Co-Chair Disney Media Networks. Pitaro, who has served as Chairman of Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media since 2016, replaces John Skipper as ESPN President, who resigned in December after admitting he had a substance abuse problem.

WSHE-FM, “The New SHE 100.3,” announced Monday that Jenny Milkowski, aka Jenny Milk, formerly of Fox TV Chicago, will team with Jay Styles to host the new afternoon show 2-7 p.m. beginning March 29.

Cats At Night with John Catsimatidis makes its debut on WNYM 970AM, New York City, at 5 p.m. this Wednesday, March 7. This is the second radio program hosted by Catsimatidis, whose successful Sunday morning interview show, The Cats Roundtable, airs on seven radio stations.

Philadelphia Hip Hop/R&B station Power 99 announced Monday that Roxy Romeo will join the Rise & Grind Morning Show on March 12, co-hosting with Mikey Dredd and Mutha Knows. The show broadcasts weekdays 6–10 a.m. Romeo joins Power 99 from REAL 103.9 in Las Vegas.

Longtime Louisville Public Media host Susan Sweeney Crum will retire from 89.3 WFPL later this year. Crum, who began as the local host of All Things Considered in 2006, will host her last broadcast on April 16. Crum began her news career at WHAS Radio.

Jim Ortega steps in as Vice President of Affiliate Sales of Local Radio Networks. Ortega joins Donna Halverson, Vice President of Affiliate Sales, who had been handling national sales single-handedly. Ortega has held sales management positions at Dial Global and Jones Media, and worked in sales at WGN, Chicago.