People in the News

Mimi Wheeler is the new Promotions Director and Music Director for Curtis Media's WQDR in Raleigh. VP of Programming Lisa McKay said, “Mimi has a fire in her belly to be a part of a winning team. She has a love for doing great radio and understands how to treat our listeners like family. Mimi grew up here and knows the local landscape of people and places extremely well."

If Mark Teixeira’s career on the diamond is anything to go by, his contributions to The Michael Kay Show on 98.7 ESPN will be priceless. The former first baseman will be at the mic every Thursday at 5 p.m., offering his opinions and analysis, beginning March 30.

iHeart's Rip City Radio 620 in Portland, OR is debuting the new Rip City Drive with Chad and Travis weekdays from 3 – 6 p.m. The afternoon sports talk show will focus on the Portland sports market with a specific focus on Portland Trail Blazer basketball.

ESPN Radio New York 98.7FM PD Justin Craig has been named Senior Director, Programming and Operations for the national ESPN Radio network. Craig will be responsible for all aspects of ESPN Radio programming and production, including oversight of Mike & Mike, The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Russillo & Kanell, and nighttime and weekend programming.

And as a result, some shuffling on the network with Tiki Barber and Brandon Tierney moving from weekday mornings (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) to afternoon drive (3:00–6:00 p.m.) and Damon Amendolara moving from evenings (6:00–10:00 p.m.) to mornings (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.). Doug Gottlieb, who was hosting afternoon drive, will air his final show Friday, April 14. A new evening show and host will be named soon.

Guy David has joined 98.5 KYGO Denver/Boulder to co-host mornings with Tracy Dixon, 5-9 a.m. He comes to the foot of the Rockies from K107.1 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and will hit the airwaves in early April.

Longtime WXXI radio talk show host Bob Smith died Friday at the age of 63. For 25 years, Smith hosted the two-hour 1370 Connection show for over 25 years on the Rochester, New York station. He had a stroke in 2013, which caused him to retire from WXXI.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai was interviewed by WJR Detroit's Paul W. Smith on the Paul W. Smith Show, Friday morning. Pai, who has been an occasional guest on WJR as FCC Commissioner, called WJR to say he'd be in Detroit today and graciously accepted Smith's invitation to appear on today's St. Patrick's Day show.

Geoff “G-Off” Owens, that's who. Owens will program iHeart's two Hip Hop stations, JAM'N 107.5 in Portland and KUBE 104.9 in Tacoma. Owens will also host afternoon drive on both stations, a position he’s held at JAM'N 107.5 since 2012. He replaces Senior VP Tim Herbster who was covering those jobs.

Radio imaging voiceover and jingle company Benztown has appointed Katrina Woolverton as General Counsel, a newly created position. Woolverton is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and San Diego State University.