Cumulus Media enacted a round of layoffs this week. On-air and management staff across multiple markets received notice.
What We Know Several Cumulus Media talent and staff have revealed they’ve been part of a company wide reduction in force. These cuts come as the company’s reorganization following approval from a court extend key Chapter 11 deadlines. The broadcaster continues to await FCC approval to complete its restructuring. The FCC’s approval remains the final major step before Cumulus can complete its financial restructuring. Once finalized, the transaction would eliminate roughly $592 million in debt, reduce annual cash interest expenses by approximately $49 million, and transfer ownership to the company’s lenders.
What’s at Stake Programming continuity at affected stations faces immediate pressure across multiple markets. Markets lose experienced management and on-air talent simultaneously. Cumulus must rapidly fill multiple leadership vacancies. Consequently, morning show transitions create real listener engagement risks.
What Remains Unclear The total number of layoffs remains unknown across all Cumulus markets. Additional departures may emerge as details surface in coming days. The company has not announced strategic plans for affected markets. Reach out to our Barrett Media team of David Hill (david@barrettmedia.com), Garrett Searight (Garrett@barrettmedia.com), or John Mamola (John@barrettmedia.com) if you have information from affected employees.
What It Means These cuts reflect broader consolidation pressures gripping the radio industry. Experienced talent departures typically precede format or operational changes ahead. Ultimately, the industry continues navigating economic realities.
Who’s Affected:
Albuquerque, NM: Stephanie Duran departs Magic 99.5 after twelve years. She joined the stations as midday host in 2014, moved to mornings, and then back to middays in January 2021. He career also includes several stops in Albuquerque, and Santa Barbara, Phoenix, and St. Louis.
Amarillo, TX: Cumulus has released these longtime veterans from its Amarillo, TX cluster: Shortie departs middays at 93.1 The Beat after 15 years with the company.
Chase Elder also departs Cumulus after 28 years on the air, most recently in middays on Rock 108.
Columbia, SC: Leo ‘LB’ Baldwin is out as program director of 98.5 OMG and B106.7. Baldwin was also a key part of The Midlands Morning Show on B106.7. A Facebook post by the station confirmed Baldwin’s exit. Baldwin joined the cluster as Program Director in June 2023 from Audacy St. Louis where he spent nearly three years as OM/PD for Y98 and 102.5 KEZK. He previously held roles in West Palm Beach, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Honolulu.
Detroit, MI: 96.3 WDVD Detroit afternoon host Dave Fuller is out after nearly eight years at the station. Fuller joined the station in January 2019 after previously hosting afternoons on 93.1 Nash-FM. Fuller has also spent time in the market since the early 1990s.
“It was a great run; I had a blast every day and got to do the job I’d wanted to do since growing up listening to the radio in Detroit! Best of luck to my mentor, Cumulus/Detroit OM Mike Wheeler, and everyone at Cumulus Detroit,” said Fuller to Radio Insight.
Fort Walton Beach, FL: Stroke Mastro is out as morning host at 99 Rock after two years. He joined the station following a five year run in Sacramento with 98 Rock.
Grand Rapids, MI: Jordan Lass departs as assitant program director of WHTS 105.3 Hot FM and WKLQ as well as hosting afternoon drive on WLAV. He joined in September of 2024 after serving as Brand Manager and PM Driver at Midwest Communications Hot AC WZOX (Hits 96.5)/Kalamazoo until October 2023. He served as PD and afternoon host at iHeartMedia’s Top 40 KOSY (Hot 95.7)/Cedar Rapids and PM Drive at then Alternative KSXA (Alt 106.3)/Des Moines
Hudson Valley, NY: Skywalker Assistant Program Director/On Air PM Drive at WSPK; also served as Evening On Air Personality at WBPM Kingston, NY, and Afternoon On Air Personality at WDVT Rutland, VT.
Little Rock, AK: McConnell Adams departs his PD role at B98.5 and Alice 107.7 in Little Rock. Adams joined Cumulus Little Rock in September 2024.
Mobile, AL: Cami George is out as program director / afternoons at 97.5 WABD. She also served as the regional promotions director. George was with Cumulus for 8 years after three years with WYOY in Jackson, Mississippi. She also has experience in West Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, and New Zealand.
Modesto, CA: Jaimee Lee is out again after her third stint at Cumulus where she served as APD/MD/morning co-host/midday host at Kat Country 103 since 2015.
New York City: Jay Soderberg departs his role as vice president of digital programming operations, podcast and digital operations after almost six years with the company.
Peoria/Central Illinois: Wes Jordan departs after seven years as Production Director for the Bloomington and Peoria IL markets. He also hosted afternoons on Z92.3..
Susan Saunders also departs mornings at WBNQ Bloomington IL after almost three decades.
Blake Haas also departs the market as afternoons/APD and News Director at News/Talk 1230 WJBC.
Shreveport, LA: Anthony Simmons has departed as PD/PMD host at 99.7 KMJJ and PD/middays at 101.1 KRMD. He had been with KMJJ since 2014 and added the roles at KRMD-FM in July 2023.
Barrett Media can also confirm that Senior Vice President of Marketing and Podcasts Carolyn Chauncey has also exited in this round of layoffs.
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