People in the News

Cumulus has hired Jim Riley as Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus' Buffalo cluster. It's a return to the frozen tundra of upstate New York for Riley, who was GSM for the four stations prior to his promotion to VP/Market Manager for Cumulus in Erie in 2005. He replaced Steve Bearance who is moving south with his family.

Cumulus Media's Chicago News/Talk radio station, 890 WLS-AM, is placing Bret Gogoel in the anchor chair for two new one-hour afternoon news programs: The Closing Bell and PM Chicago featuring business and local headlines.

KDKA News Radio in Pittsburgh will launch KDKA Radio Afternoon News Hosted by Rick Dayton (weekdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) on December 7.

Steve Giannini is the new GSM at Riviera Broadcasting in Phoenix for Hot 97.5 (KMVA-FM), Power 98.3 (KKFR-FM), and 95.1 The Oasis (KOAI). Previously, he was the GSM at Salem Media Group (KKNT, KPXQ, and KXXT) in Phoenix.

Scott Finn, President and CEO of Vermont Public, will be stepping down at the end of the year. This comes nearly six years after he first joined Vermont Public Radio, which later merged with Vermont PBS to form Vermont Public in 2021.

Public media organization PRX announced that Janetta Stringfellow has joined the staff as Chief Development Officer, where she will lead national fundraising. Stringfellow will also work on growing the organization’s major donor base while overseeing individual giving, institutional support, and digital fundraising.

Nick Wize has been named APD for KRQQ, KOHT, and KMIY effective June 11. He will also take over afternoon drive on KRQQ. Wize was mostly recently with iHeart Detroit, where his roles included APD and on-air talent for WKQI.

The NAB has officially announced trade show industry leader Karen Chupka as the new Executive Vice President of Global Connections and Events. Chupka brings more than 30 years of experience from the Consumer Technology Association.

The radio voice of Sooners football Toby Rowland hasn't missed a game since taking over play-by-play duties in 2011. Tomorrow's Cotton Bowl between Oklahoma and Florida will be the first after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Christmas Day.

San Diego Padres radio voice Ted Leitner announced on Twitter that he has cancer and will be stepping away from the broadcast booth indefinitely. The 71-year old Leitner has called Padres games since 1980. He underwent surgery Thursday after calling Wednesday's Padres game.