A 50-year radio veteran John Kesler is stepping away. Bob & Tom‘s longtime executive is retiring effective October 1, 2026.
What We Know: After five decades in broadcasting, Kesler announced plans to retire from his full-time role with The Bob & Tom Show. His career began in 1976 at WDAN Radio in Danville, Illinois. He will remain connected to the organization as a consultant for six months following his departure. During that transition window, he’ll work closely with Tom, Dwayne, and others on planning for the show’s future.
What They Said: The announcement letter captured the weight of the moment directly. “This has been, without question, the best job I have ever had,” Kesler wrote, adding that colleagues “made this the most rewarding chapter of my career.” He also expressed strong confidence in the road ahead, noting the organization has “an outstanding team, a loyal audience, strong partners, and opportunities that many companies in our industry would envy.”
What Remains Unclear: No successor has been publicly named. The specific scope of his consulting role has not been detailed beyond general transition support. Additionally, what long-term structural changes, if any, may follow his exit remains to be seen.
What It Means: Bob & Tom is navigating a significant leadership transition at a pivotal moment for the radio industry. Nevertheless, the organization appears well-positioned. The six-month consulting arrangement signals a deliberate, steady handoff rather than an abrupt departure. For a show that has survived COVID, affiliate challenges, and decades of industry upheaval, continuity clearly remains the priority.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.
