After departing Cumulus-owned WGOW earlier this year, former Program Director and News Director Kevin West has died.
According to a report from WDEF-TV, West — who departed the Chattanooga news/talk stations to work as the Public Affairs Director for the Chattanooga Police Department — suffered a “medical emergency” Monday morning before being pronounced dead at a local hospital.
“West’s time with the Chattanooga Police Department was short but instrumental in developing the Public Affairs Division. He was working toward building the unit to establish a more robust media presence and capitalize on current social platforms to deliver timely messaging,” the Chattanooga Police Department said in a press release.
The longtime radio programmer was a 24-year veteran of the Navy before retiring two years ago as a captain.
West announced his exit from WGOW AM/FM in June after spending 43 years in radio, with 35 coming in the Chattanooga market. He became Program Director of TalkRadio 102.3 in 1994 before assuming the same responsibilities for NewsRadio 1150 WGO-AM in 2011.
He leaves behind a wife, Carlene, and five children.
