After more than 40 years as a radio engineer in the City of Brotherly Love — including 26 of those with 101.1 WBEB(FM) — Chris Sarris has announced his retirement from Audacy. His last day will be Friday.
Over four decades, Sarris influenced and is fondly remembered by many who worked in the Philadelphia radio market.
“His hands were always full with so many innovations and project management tasks,” Audacy Philadelphia’s Director of Technical Operations Dave Skalish told us. “We are so grateful for all of his efforts.”
Sarris spent 20 years at 96.5 WWDB(FM) during its heyday as a news/talk station, including 12 as its chief engineer. At the turn of the century, he moved to then-independently owned 101.1 WBEB(FM) as its chief engineer. He remained at the helm of the top-rated adult contemporary station’s technical operations even after Audacy purchased the signal from Jerry Lee in 2018.
Following the acquisition, Sarris added engineering support for the rest of Audacy’s Philadelphia cluster, including 94.1 WIP(FM), 96.5 WTDY(FM), 98.1 WOGL(FM), 1060 KYW(AM) and 1210 WPHT(AM).
But Sarris’ career truly came full circle in November 2020, when then-Entercom took over operations of 103.9 WPHI(FM) to launch an FM simulcast for KYW.
Sarris’ engineering journey originally began at that very same 103.9 frequency — then the former WIBF(FM) in Jenkintown, Pa. It was there, under the guidance of his parents, Bill and Bessie, that he helped run their beloved Sunday afternoon Greek radio program, “The Hellenic Voice of Philadelphia.”
Fittingly, his career now concludes supporting KYW on that exact same 103.9 signal.
In retirement, Sarris plans to spend more time with his wife, Arlene, and their six grandchildren.
“We’ll attempt to lure him back for those special projects too!” Skalish added.
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