People in the News

Orban Labs has promoted David Rusch to Sales Manager, North America. Rusch had been Director of North American Sales and Marketing with the company from 2002-2014. Between 2014 and early 2017, he  remained involved with Orban in an auxiliary role. Rusch began his radio career in 1982 as an Account Executive for KLFF-AM/KMZK-FM in Phoenix, AZ.

Conservative warrior and capitalist evangelist Wayne Allyn Root is well known for his impassioned approach to Talk radio. An unabashed Trump supporter, Root takes his listeners to the outer reaches of America’s right wing and stirs things up. USA Radio Network has decided that makes for dynamic radio and has announced an agreement for national syndication with the host.

On the Move with Enrique Santos is the first English-language radio show to feature Enrique Santos, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino, iHeartMedia’s new Hispanic platform. The new show will be a two-hour, music-intensive CHR weekend program debuting April 15 on more than 100 iHeart stations. The show will originate from Miami.

Cumulus has hired Jeff Lyon as VP/GM for its four-station cluster in Abilene. Lyon joins Cumulus from Townsquare, where he was President/Chief Revenue Officer for its four stations in Victoria, TX, for 21 years. Prior to that, he was VP/GM for Sierra Industries' radio stations KSNM-FM and KXDC-FM in Las Cruces, NM.

...Heath Garlutzo, who's been the General Sales Manager of Salem’s Phoenix sales team for the past six years. Overall, his radio experience spans 22 years, including experience as National Sales Manager for CBS Radio. Heath will assume his new position April 12, 2017.

Cumulus Nashville has promoted Lori Tournay Liggett to GSM for its music stations, including Country stations WKDF and WSM-FM, in addition to WQQK. Liggett has more than 27 years’ experience in promotions, sales, and management. She joined Cumulus Nashville in 2015 as GSM for WQQK.

It’s a new show for Mix 96-5 (KHMX-FM). The Morning Mix with Sarah Pepper, Geoff Sheen and Lauren Kelly will launch Monday, April 10, airing weekdays 5:30 – 10:00 a.m. Pepper comes from CBS RADIO Houston’s sister station KKHH-FM, the former Hot 95.7; Sheen joins the team from San Antonio’s KTKR; and Kelly moves to mornings after hosting the afternoon show.

Dave Ramsey was in Philadelphia this week for another sold out Smart Money event. Ramsey combined forces with Talk Radio 1210 WPHT for the event at the Tower Theater. Ramsey is pictured here with (from left to right) WPHT Morning anchor Paige Powers, Market Manager David Yadgaroff, afternoon anchor Dawn Stensland, Mid-day host Dom Giordano, and PD Jared Hart.

The Radio Television Digital News Association and Foundation (RTDNA/F) has turned to longtime Association member Dan Shelley to be the new Incoming Executive Director of the two organizations. Shelley is a former Chairman of the Board and the current Foundation Secretary/Treasurer.

Chandler has won the coveted 32nd Annual Stellar Award for Gospel Announcer Of The Year as host of his nationally syndicated morning show Mike Chandler & Friends. Chandler’s local radio station, WFMI-FM, was also nominated for a Stellar Award for Radio Station Of The Year (Large Market).