Cumulus Media has begun another round of layoffs affecting radio personalities across several major markets. The reductions follow the company’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October.
What We Know: Additional Cumulus Media talent and staff have revealed they’ve been part of a company wide reduction in force. The layoffs follow Cumulus’ successfully completing its financial restructuring and emerging from the Chapter 11 reorganization process, following receipt of all required approvals, including from the FCC. It also is the second round of staff layoffs this year. The previous round occurred during the summer in August.
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 these additional vacancies coming off the round of layoffs in August.
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 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 Is Affected: (If you have been affected, please reach out to Barrett Media via e-mail: garrett@barrettmedia.com or john@barrettmedia.com, or on social media)
Westwood One: Westwood One regional manager of affiliate relations, Andy Garcia, departs his role after 18 years. He oversaw the sports side of Westwood One Sports programming alongside Ryan Maguire from his location in Chicago. Maguire confirms to Barrett Media he is now the lone affiliate point of contact for all stations/markets relating to Westwood One Sports. Garcia currently serves as the play by play voice of Northern Illinois Huskies sports.
Albuquerque: 92.3 KRST afternoon host/Assistant Program Director Eddie Haskell departs. He joined the station just over one year ago. Meanwhile, Market Manager Jeff Berry has also departed. He led the cluster for the past 12 years. 770 KKOB producers JJ Buck and Mike Trujillo have also exited, as has Promotions Manager Steph Griffin.
Atlanta: New Country 101-Five PD Mike Moore has exited. He joined the station in 2019 after previously working in markets like Portland, Nashville, and Hartford. He was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2024.
Birmingham: Steve West is among those affected by Cumulus Media’s latest layoffs, exiting as morning show producer for Dixon & Vining on Talk 99.5 (WZRR). West confirmed his departure on social media and plans to continue working on the weekly CRN show and Crossed Flags podcast, both available on YouTube.
Bloomington/Normal: Faith Rinker exits as Program Director/Morning Host at Country B104 (WBWN) and Midday Host at 101.5 WBNQ after 26 years. She thanked listeners and the community in a Facebook post. Meanwhile, Scott Miller departs as morning host at News/Talk 1230 WJBC after eight years. In a Facebook video, Miller reflected on his time at the station and thanked the community for its support.
Chicago: Promotions Coordinator Allison Nehring has exited.
Chattanooga: Talk 102.3 co-host Joe Varner exits after nearly 30 years. Dylan McJunkin exits KZ106 after six years.
Dallas: Clayton Neville exits as morning co-host at News/Talk 570 KLIF and news anchor for 820 WBAP/93.3 WBAP-FM. Neville joined the Cumulus stations in 2017 after nine years as Chief Operating Officer and News/Sports Director at KMOO in Mineola, Texas.
Fresno: Kiss Country 93.7 morning co-host Joe Castelan has departed. He joined the station in 2023. Kris Daniels remains in morning drive as a solo host.
Houston, TX: Kevin Quinn is out as APD and afternoons at 104.1 KRBE. Quinn joined KRBE in 2013 after his previous work with 96.9 WINK-FM (Fort Myers, FL), Q103 (Brunswick, GA), and Kiss 105.3 (Gainesville, FL). Quinn also hosted middays at WWWQ (Atlanta, GA) and KLIF-FM (Dallas, TX) while serving at KRBE. During his tenure at KRBE, Quinn also spent time hosting middays at WWWQ Atlanta and weekends at KLIF-FM Dallas. Audrey Rose, who had co-hosted afternoons with Quinn since March 2022, remains in the daypart and shared the news of his departure with listeners.
Minneapolis, MN: Shannon Knight departs 93X. She hosted nights and weekends at the radio station. Knight’s previous stops include 92.5 KQRS, KFMW (Waterloo, IA), KNXR (Rochester, NY), and several brands in St. Cloud, MN.
Modesto: KAT 103 afternoon host Tony Randall has exited after just shy of one year with the station. He previously hosted mornings at WIVK and KSON during his career. Additionally, D. Ferreira exits as afternoon host on 99.3 KJOY. He was also the Assistant Program Director of the station.
Nashville: Brian Wilson is exiting SuperTalk 99.7 WTN after retiring from his afternoon show at the end of 2024 but continued working as a regular fill-in host. However, he has now been notified that his association with the station will end on November 15th. His final appearance came Wednesday morning alongside Dan Mandis. Additionally, producer Bel Kaeh departed during the same round of cuts, sources close to the situation tell Barrett Media. Wilson spent eight years with SuperTalk 99.7 WTN across his time as a full-time host and fill-in personality.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA: Adam ‘Lazy E’ Sieminski departs afternoons at 97.9X WBSX after spending nearly 22 years with the brand.
Tri-Cities (Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol): Classic Rock 101.5 PD/afternoon host Buzz Casey exits after nearly two years.
Washington: 105.9 WMAL Producer Jane Hautanen has exited her role after just under 25 years with the station.
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