People in the News

Columbus radio personality Patrick Valére McGinness — known across the Columbus airwaves simply as Val — was pronounced dead late Wednesday morning at his north Columbus apartment. According to the Ledger-Enquirer he was 67 and died of natural causes.

The Idaho Statesman reports that longtime Boise radio personality Mike Kasper will be off air for at least several weeks, following surgery and other treatment for prostate cancer. Kasper, who has been in local radio for about three decades, is a host of the Mix Morning Show on MIX 106, which is owned by Townsquare.

The Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio Group has named 20-year radio vet Angie Martinez its 2016 MIW Airblazer. Last year, the MIW Radio Group formed an alliance with Talentmaster's Morning Show Boot Camp to establish the award, which is given to an on-air personality.

Congratulations to Neuhoff Media CEO Beth Neuhoff for taking home the 2016 Vincent T. Wasilewski Broadcaster of the Year award from the Illinois Broadcasters Association last night. Neuhoff was on hand to accept the award as members of her team cheered her on. The event, which included a "Training Camp" for radio and digital media sellers was held in Champaign.

United Stations Radio Networks and the Tom Kent Radio Network have signed a new multi-year sales and programming agreement. Without getting specific, the two sides sent out a joint release that said, "Through the end of this decade, and well beyond, USRN will be the exclusive sales representative for TKRN." USRN has represented Kent for the past five years.

Jim Clerkin is the new PD and PM driver for Summitt's new Birmingham radio station WPYA, 97.3 Play. Clerkin spent 16 years in Boston at the legendary Kiss 108.

Beasley Media Group has hired Lance Hale as PD for WRXK/96K-ROCK in Fort Myers. He replaces Jeff Zito who moved to Tampa to program Beasley’s WBRN/98.7 NO RULES ROCK. Hale did a stint as Music Director/Assistant PD for Beasley's WJBX in Ft. Myers, so he's returning to the company.

Entravision has appointed Angela Navarrete (pictured) to Senior VP of Integrated Marketing Solutions in McAllen, Texas, and Rene Morales to SP of Integrated Marketing Solutions in Las Vegas. Both will be responsible for selling Entravision’s media and marketing solutions across the company’s television, radio, and digital properties, in their respective markets.

It’s John Riley, co-host of The Morning Drive with John & Nancy on 93.3 The Drive (WPBG), Peoria, and the award is the Bill Houlihan Professional Award from Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Jesse Bewley has been named Digital Director for Hubbard Radio Minneapolis St.-Paul. Bewley will oversee the digital strategy for Hubbard’s three radio stations in the Twin Cities: KS95-FM, myTalk 107.1 and 1500 ESPN. He replaces Jeremy Sinon who was recently promoted to corporate position.