Saga Communications has made a notable addition to its Kentucky-Tennessee cluster, naming longtime programmer and on-air personality Dave Russell as program director and morning host for Country Beaver 100.3 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, serving the Clarksville, Tennessee market, as the company continues to invest in experienced leadership to guide its brands in competitive regional environments.
The move brings Russell back to a format and role that have defined much of his decades-long career. He most recently served as afternoon host at News/Talk 830 WEEU in Reading, Pennsylvania. He remained active in daily content execution while building a reputation for consistency, and audience connection.
Before that stop, Russell spent much of his career in Central Pennsylvania, including an 11-year run at 910 WSBA in York from 1988 to 1999. There, he advanced into leadership roles such as assistant program director and promotions director. Laying the foundation for a career blending programming strategy with a strong on-air presence.
His path later included programming roles in multiple markets, including Bangor, Maine, and Allentown, Pennsylvania. He returned to York in 2007 to lead 103.3 WARM-FM as program director and contributed on-air in afternoons and mornings. He later served as program director and afternoon host from 2015 through 2024. He also programmed Forever Media’s Oldies outlets The Pickle in suburban Pittsburgh, expanding his experience across formats and audiences.
In his new role, Russell will team with Monica Reed in mornings on Beaver 100.3, filling a vacancy left by Chad Heritage’s departure earlier this year. He will also handle programming duties for Classic Country 100.7 The Outlaw, giving him influence across multiple brands within the cluster.
Russell said the opportunity to join Saga’s 5 Star Media group stood out immediately. He cited the strength of the stations and the appeal of the market as key factors in his decision.
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