As part of Beasley Media Group’s annual management meeting, the company bestowed its Operating Awards to candidates in several categories, including “Engineer of the Year” and two new awards with a digital emphasis. Corporate and station leadership gathered last week in Naples, Fla.
“It brings me great pride to publicly recognize the ladies and gentleman who have earned our company’s highest awards for 2015,” said Founder, Chairman and CEO George G. Beasley. “By working diligently and deliberately this past year, they have exceeded their goals and contributed their talents to the success of their stations and markets.”
The 2015 honorees are:
- Engineer of the Year: Richard Banks, Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, N.C.
- CEO Award of Excellence: Denyse Mesnik
- Radio Station of the Year: WIKS(FM), Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, N.C.
- General Manager of the Year: Brad Beasley, Fort Myers-Naples, Fla.
- Program Director of the Year: John Candelaria, Las Vegas
- Business Manager of the Year: Lisa Lewis, Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, N.C.
- Sales Manager of the Year: AJ Lurie, Fort Myers-Naples, Fla.
- Digital Sales Professional of the Year: Carolyn Cope, Boston
- Digital Content Professional of the Year: Diana Beasley, Fort Myers-Naples, Fla.
Engineer of the Year
Richard Banks is a chief engineer who oversees the entire technical infrastructure in Beasley’s Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, eastern N.C. cluster that includes radio station studios for six stations (five FMs, one AM and three translators) transmitter sites and all IT responsibilities. This past year, he managed the build-out of the three translators, the installation of a new transmitter and major renovations in several studios. He is a 16-year Beasley veteran.
CEO Award of Excellence
This award is only bestowed occasionally and goes to a company official who George G. Beasley wants to acknowledge and honor because he feels he or she exemplifies a history of quality service and sincere dedication to the company. This year, the honor was bestowed upon VP of Communications Denyse Mesnik, who has 25 years with company and worked her way up from executive assistant to George Beasley.
Station of the Year
WIKS(FM), is located in the eastern N.C. market. WIKS became KISS FM in 1986, focusing on hip-hop and R&B programming for the 25-54 demographic. KISS(FM) features “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” as well as local hosts DJ Koass, Jay Blaze, DJ Blaq and a team of mixers and part-timers.
General Manager of the Year
Brad Beasley is a VP and market manager who oversees the Fort Myers-Naples, Fla., market. He joined the southwest Florida team as a GM in 1996 and has been with the company since 1988. Beasley’s southwest Florida cluster of radio stations includes one AM, four FMs, and four FM translators that have separate station brands. Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of station positions, both in the studios and in the office, and this is the fourth time that he has been given this award.
Program Director of the Year
John Candelaria serves as program director for old school KOAS(FM) in Beasley’s Las Vegas cluster. He joined Beasley in 2012 and was asked to program a struggling radio station that is recently consistently ranked in the top five in the market and is also a market and company leader in digital metrics.
Business Manager of the Year
Lisa Lewis is a 28-year Beasley veteran from the eastern N.C. cluster of radio stations. She has worked in both the corporate and station offices. This is her fourth time honored as Business Manager of the Year, an honor she consistently accepts on behalf of her colleagues in the business office. Lewis and her team handle all of the financial reporting, accounts receivable and payable management, payroll and HR responsibilities for six radio stations and over 40 employees.
Sales Manager of the Year
AJ Lurie, has received this honor three times. This is the second consecutive year in which he, as director of sales for the southwest Florida market, has earned the distinction. Under his leadership, the team of sales professionals has maintained a number one position in the market. The have forged community relationships with advertisers and charitable groups, delivering results for clients and partnerships through community service.
Digital Sales Professional of the Year
Carolyn Cope, the inaugural winner, is based in the Boston market and is responsible for digital revenue across multiple Beasley markets. The company says that her ideas are creative, her tasks completed in a timely manner, and she possesses a vast knowledge of digital marketing services. Importantly, it adds, Cope is equally skilled at communicating and teaching these new concepts to those without digital experience.
Digital Content Professional of the Year
Diana Beasley, the inaugural winner, is based in southwest Florida and serves as digital content manager for that market. She is responsible for managing the station websites and social media content and outreach. Diana joined the company and the southwest Florida cluster in 2006. She was recognized her ability to meet the social referral and page view goals and for ensuring that all sites and socials are well maintained, active and engaging.
Beasley Media Group, Inc. is a subsidiary of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., owns and operates 34 FM and 18 AM radio stations in 12 U.S. markets.
