XM Names A Batch of New PDs

XM Satellite Radio Inc. has added 15 new program directors to its slate. This brings the total number of PDs to 16 at the company developing satellite-delivered digital audio broadcasting, following Jonathan Swartz’ appointment to the “standards” format several months ago, said Lee Abrams, XM’s chief programming officer.
Abrams said that this is actually the first of “many waves to come,” in reference to the PD-hiring.
The new hires include Director of Talk Kevin Straley, Director of News Irina Lallemand and Director of Channel Production Dan Turner.
Ward Cleaver will be the music director for XM’s hard rock channel. He comes to XM from WZTA(FM) in Miami Beach, Fla., where he was an evening on-air personality on ZETA’s “Red Eye Lounge.”
XM has also hired the following program directors for music channels: Kenny Curtis, Kurt Gilchrist, Rick Lambert, Blake Lawrence, Charlie Logan, Mark Parenteau, Redbeard and Eddie Webb, as well as Music Directors Josh Cunningham and Sari Zalesin. Matt Wolfe joins XM as one of its production directors.
Laura Dely