Audacy Layoffs Continue, New Regional Leadership Structure Announced

A round of layoffs at Audacy is underway, with the radio company seeing changes at the programming and leadership levels.

If you or someone you know is affected, please email John@BarrettMedia.com and Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.

Barrett Media will continue to update this story as new information becomes available.

Affected Employees

In Houston, the Frito and Katy Morning Show — hosted by Tucker “Frito” Young and Katy Dempsey — has exited at 100.3 The Bull, Barrett Media has confirmed. Young and Dempsey joined the station in January 2025. Previously, they won the 2024 CMA Award for Major Market Personality of the Year, as well as a Marconi Award in 2021. They worked at Y100 in San Antonio before joining the Audacy Houston country brand. Young addressed the news in a Facebook post.

In Cleveland, traffic reporter Joe Czekaj has announced his exit. “I very much loved working for Audacy (WNCX, 92.3, Star 102, and Q 104) and after 7 years with them, I was informed today that my position has been eliminated,” Czekaj wrote in a post on social media. “Thank you to all who tuned in and for the immense support over the years. I’m not sure where I’ll go from here.”

In Seattle, Emma 94.1 and Hot 103.7 Assistant Program Director Doug Duin has departed. He also served as the Music Director of Emma 94.1. He joined Audacy in 2022 after previously spending nine years working in a variety of capacities at crosstown iHeartMedia Seattle.

Matt McAllister shared on Instagram that his run with 100.7 The Wolf in Seattle and 107.9 KMLE in Phoenix has ended. He didn’t disclose whether his co-hosts Gabe Mercer and Ron Koons were also exiting or continuing on.

Additionally, in Seattle, Digital Sales Manager Linda Hansen has exited.

In Riverside, Vicki Pepper-McDonel exits after 13 years at K-Frog 95.1. Pepper-McDonel served as a traffic reporter, public affairs director as well as some fill in shifts and weekends. Her previous stops include several stints across southern California including KUZZ FM in Bakersfield and the former KZLA in Los Angeles.

In Philadelphia, Sportsradio 94 WIP Eagles reporter Devan Kaney is out. Kaney has been with the station since 2022, regularly co-hosting WIP’s morning show alongside Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie. She also took over as the station’s sideline reporter on the Eagles’ radio broadcast late in the 2024 season, following Howard Eskin’s abrupt exit.

Kaney said she intends to remain in the Philly market, and will continue as weekend anchor at Fox 29 in Philadelphia.

Elsewhere in Pennsylvania, Maria D’Antonio has exited middays at Y108. Radio Insight was first to report the news. D’Antonio was with the radio station for more than a decade. In a post on Facebook she expressed her appreciation for her listeners, shared how much she’s loved working in radio, and acknowledged that this wasn’t how she wanted her career to end. With her future unclear, she’s planning to spend time with family and friends as she figures out what’s next.

In Hartford, David Simpson exits his position as afternoon drive talent at Lite 100.5. Simpson has over three decades of experience, including programming and on-air stints in Providence, Boston, and New York.

In Baltimore, Digital Sales Manager Jessica Fessler has departed the company.

In Atlanta, Digital Sales Manager Marcos Pieras has exited.

Restructuring of Market/Regional Leadership

Audacy has also announced plans to do away with Market Managers. Now, the company will utilize Regional Presidents, Regional Vice Presidents, and Senior Vice Presidents/Sales leaders.

In a memo to staffers obtained by Barrett Media, Audacy CEO Kelli Turner unveiled the new structure.

“We’ve made enormous progress over the past year in positioning Audacy for a strong and sustainable future in a fast-changing business and world,” Turner wrote. “Today, to better capture opportunities, scale success, and sharpen our competitive edge, we are putting in place a regionalized sales organization.

“The five regions under our Regional Presidents are now supported by a new group of Regional Vice Presidents. These RVPs will oversee a group of markets designed to scale opportunities and drive revenue growth. Along with the recent change of having Brand Managers reporting into Format Vice Presidents, this is the right approach for our business today and especially for tomorrow.

The new sales structure is built to preserve our deep local roots while removing historical “market walls” that sometimes limit collaboration and reach. It empowers our teams to unlock new local and national budgets, streamline processes, and focus relentlessly on what we do best: driving results for clients and serving our communities.”

Currently, the Regional Presidents at Audacy are:

• Jeff Federman (West Region, including: Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento)
• Mark Hannon (East Region, including: Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit)
• Claudia Menegus (Southeast Region, including: Miami, Orlando, Charlotte, Greensboro)
• Debbie Kenyon (Central Region, including: Detroit, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee)
• Chris Oliviero (Chief Business Officer)

The new Regional Vice Presidents are:

• Dan Barron (Greensboro, Greenville, New Orleans, Memphis, Chattanooga)
• Matt Bewley (Miami, Orlando, Gainesville)
• Sarah Frazier (Austin, Dallas, Houston)
• Kieran Geffert (San Diego, Riverside, San Francisco, Seattle, Sacramento)
• Micah Goldberg (Denver, Portland, Las Vegas, Phoenix)
• Pete Kowalski (Detroit, Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Cleveland)
• Roxanne Marati (Kansas City, St. Louis, Wichita)
• Brian Rooney (New York, Boston, Hartford, Springfield)
• Dave Scopinich (Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Wilkes-Barre)
• Michael Spacciapolli (Norfolk, Richmond, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Rochester)

Turner added that in spite of some employees moving on from market manager roles, they have been reassigned to other positions. She also addressed the downsizing taking place around the company.

“These decisions are never easy or made lightly, and we are handling this process as respectfully and professionally as possible,” said Turner. “There is a lot of change inside our company, in our industry, and in the world. And I know that can be unsettling. I am grateful for everyone’s continued dedication and focus. Together, we are accomplishing a lot, and I’m confident we have a clearer, more effective structure and path to continue to win. Thank you for all your amazing work.”

Market Manager Changes

With Audacy introducing a new SVP of Sales role, multiple sources tell Barrett Media that Tracy Brandys has accepted that position in Baltimore. Meanwhile in St. Louis, Becky Domyan will not be assuming the role. Sources tell Barrett Media that she has announced that she is stepping down and exiting the company.

Key leaders in Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta are transitioning to different roles too.

Longtime Atlanta boss Rick Caffey steps into the created role of Chairman. Caffey is expected to advise the Atlanta cluster and focus on growing the Urban format for both listeners and clients. Part of his new role includes working closely with Urban Format Vice President, Skip Dillard.

In addition, Chicago Market Manager Kevin Cassidy will reportedly be involved with ‘special company projects’ according to multiple sources. Details on what that will specifically entail were not clear.

Furthermore, Barrett Media has learned that Mike Thomas will step into the position of SVP Programming in Boston. The role change includes joining Mitch Rosen and Chris Kinard as Sports Format Vice President. Prior to becoming Audacy Boston’s Market Manager, Thomas excelled in programming the sports format. He helped build and lead 98.5 The Sports Hub to massive success before exiting to lead ESPN 1000 in Chicago. How his job change affects Ken Laird moving forward is unclear, though sources tell Barrett Media WEEI would like to retain him.

In Greenville, Senior Vice President and Market Manager Steve Sincropi has departed after more than 12 years with the cluster.

Meanwhile, in Richmond, Senior Vice President and Market Manager Bennett Zier will remain with the organization, Barrett Media has learned..

Additional Recent Developments

The layoffs come after the company has announced moves in its upper management ranks.

Last week, Senior Vice President of Programming and Music Initiatives Michael Martin announced he’d step down. Friday, May 1st will be Martin’s final day. He originally joined the company in 2009. While working in San Francisco, he’s led Alice at 97.3 FM, 99.7 Now, and Live 105.

Additionally, Philadelphia Market Manager and Senior Vice President David Yadgaroff announced his intention to retire later this year. His final day will be in late May, concluding a 36-year run with the company.

Detroit Senior Vice President and Market Manager Debbie Kenyon received a promotion earlier this week. She added oversight to Chicago, Cleveland, Madison, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, among others, as the Central Region President.

*This is a developing story.*

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BNM Staff