iHeartMedia announced that Steve Weed and Paul Kelley were named senior vice president of programming for central California and for the Arizona region, respectively. The company also announced that Jay Cruze was named director of country programming for the Kentucky-Indiana region, and that JT Bosch was named assistant program director and evening host for 98.7 WMZQ(FM)/#1 for New Country in Washington.
Weed has been with iHeartMedia since 2010 and will continue to serve as the senior vice president of the Fresno market as well. His experience includes past programming roles in New York, Detroit, Seattle and St. Louis.
“Steve has been a part of the central California markets in his role as the senior vice president of programming in Fresno, helping stations with special projects and providing oversight for many months,” said Steve Geofferies, executive vice president of programming at iHeartMedia.
Weed said that there is nothing better than doing more of what he loves. “I’m thrilled to be working alongside Jeff Negrete, and the opportunity to work closer with Glynn Alan and Steve Geofferies.”
“Steve Weed is a leader who possesses the bandwidth and passion to build brands. He’s strategic, organized and a trusted team player who gets the job done,” said iHeartMedia Market President Jeff Negrete.
In Arizona, Kelley will be responsible for managing that region’s programming efforts. He will continue to be the program director for KESZ(FM) and KYOT(FM) in Phoenix, and will help oversee the programming in Tucson, Ariz. He will focus on programming strategy and talent development in Tucson.
“Paul has been a senior vice president of programing for more than 15 years and will be a terrific asset for the Arizona region,” said Geofferies. “His multiformat knowledge and leadership skills will help grow our programming and talent teams.”
iHeartMedia Tucson Market President Carl Anderson said they are looking forward to have Kelley help lead their programmatic oversight. “I have had the pleasure of working with Paul over the years and I am confident he will help us maximize our leadership position in the market,” he said.
“Paul is a very talented programmer who very quickly improved both stations he programs here in Phoenix,” said Linda Little, iHeartMedia region president of Arizona. “I have no doubt that in this new role for the Arizona region, he will be incredibly effective.”
Aside from his role as director of country programming for the Kentucky-Indiana region, Cruze will oversee WAMZ(FM) in Louisville, Ky., WBUL(FM) in Lexington, Ky., and WUBG(FM) in Indianapolis. Based out of Louisville, Cruze will work closely with the programming staff and talent for the region’s five country stations.
“When you combine Jay’s understanding of the radio and music industry with his energy and passion for the product, we’re confident that he is the right person to lead and grow these incredible brands,” said Earl Jones, iHeartmedia’s Kentucky-Indiana region president. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch Jay evolve into a leader in his field and enjoy the successes that come from hard work and great instincts,” said Michael Jordan, regional senior vice president of programming at iHeartMedia.
Cruze has more than 20 years of experience in the radio industry, most recently serving as senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia Augusta and program director of WLUB(FM) in Augusta.
“Michael and Earl have set the bar high with these heritage brands and have the talent in place for us to continue to dominate country ratings in Kentucky-Indiana,” said Cruze.
At 98.7 WMZQ(FM)/#1 for New Country in the nation’s capital, JT Bosch will be the new assistant program director and evening host, effective May 9.
Bosch will host weekdays from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. EST, and has handled both on-air and programming duties with stations in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. He also served as program director for iHeartMedia’s KASE(FM)/KVET(FM) in Austin, Texas.
“I’m excited to welcome JT to the WMZQ family,” said Meg Stevens, executive vice president of programming, Northeast division, iHeartMedia. “His passion and love for country music paired with his strong leadership skills make him the right fit for this position.”
Bosch said he was looking forward to joining the radio station. “These are the types of jobs you dream of your whole career,” he said. “I’m beyond ready to get started!”
