Allen Power is stepping away from Salem Media after a career spanning exactly five decades in radio. The company’s President of Broadcast Media will retire at the end of the month, timing his exit to coincide with his 50th anniversary in the business.
His departure caps 26 years with Salem Media, following decades spent building his reputation in local radio markets like Atlanta and Greenville, South Carolina.
Power didn’t arrive at this decision overnight. He and his wife, Susan, weighed the timing carefully, and several factors converged to make retirement feel right. Crossing the 50-year threshold carried weight, and entering his mid-60s pushed him to think harder about legacy, family, and the causes closest to his heart.
That reflection eventually led him to a peaceful conclusion, one he describes in spiritual terms.
“To be very spiritual about it, we just felt like the Lord confirmed that to us,” said Power. “That it’s the right time. So that’s kind of where we are, and we’re excited about it.”
Few in the industry can claim a career quite like his.
“I’ve worked since I was 14 years old,” Power shared. “I worked through high school and college, so it’s going to be very different.”
Five Decades of Technological Change
Power’s tenure has coincided with radio’s most dramatic technological shift, and he doesn’t take that transformation lightly. Broadcasting equipment that once filled entire rooms now fits into a single microphone setup, and he still marvels at what that shrinkage has made possible.
“I’m still fascinated by technology, how technology has changed, and what we can do,” said Power. “You’re sitting there talking into a Rode Pod mic and sounding like you have this whole rack of equipment behind you and processing and so forth — that’s fascinating to me.”
Despite all that progress, Power insists one thing has stayed constant throughout his career.
“What hasn’t changed is the magic of broadcasting,” the longtime Salem Media executive said. “What hasn’t changed is the magic of that one-to-one. We call it broadcasting, but it really is one-to-one.”
A mentor shaped Power’s early understanding of that magic. The general manager who gave him his first job in Greenville later handed him the reins after 40 years in the chair, and his advice has stuck with Power ever since.
“He said I should keep a journal, because this is the most interesting job,” said Power. “I did not keep a journal, by the way, but he was right. It’s been so interesting.”
Looking Ahead to What’s Next
Retirement doesn’t mean Power plans to disappear from public life. Instead, he’s approaching this next chapter the same deliberate way he approached his decision to step down, and he’s already mapped out his first move.
“My plan is to take a three-month — well, I’m calling it a sabbatical,” Power shared. “I’ll continue to do some things I’m already committed to, and obviously all the family stuff, but just to think and to pray and to size up where my next opportunity is to make a difference.”
Full-time work isn’t part of that plan, but Power hasn’t closed the door on staying involved.
“I’m not looking for a full-time job, as my wife reminds me,” said Power. “But I’m open to great organizations if I can be of help to them on a less-than-full-time basis, including in our industry.”
Leaving still carries mixed emotions, and Power doesn’t pretend otherwise. Virtual meetings have connected him daily with colleagues across the country, and losing that rhythm will take some adjustment.
“It’s bittersweet,” the longtime Salem Media executive said. “What I will do is just be grateful. I’ll be grateful for the 26 years with Salem, and the 50 years in the business, and the wonderful people that I’ve worked with.”
Radio’s business model has changed considerably since Power entered the industry, and he acknowledges those pressures head-on. Advertising challenges persist, and the financial landscape keeps shifting beneath broadcasters’ feet. Even so, Power remains convinced the medium’s core appeal hasn’t gone anywhere.
“Radio’s reach is still tremendous, and the audience that radio reaches every week is incredible,” said Power. “Radio has been able to adapt in so many different chapters where we were going out of business, and we’ve adapted, and so that resilience is still there.”
A chance encounter recently reinforced that belief for him. Power stumbled onto a podcast hosted by the daughter of a former Greenville radio personality, and her description of growing up as a broadcaster’s kid stayed with him.
“They felt like, I know him, I know all about him, he’s my friend,” Power shared, recounting her words. “That’s the relationship that listeners have, and we’re seeing it now developing with podcasters, but we certainly still have that with radio.”
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