Doug Hamand is calling it a career. The longtime programming executive will step away from the industry at the end of June.
What We Know: Hamand spent 21 years with Jacor, Clear Channel, and iHeart, holding multiple programming leadership roles — including an extended tenure in Tampa/St. Petersburg. He then joined Cumulus, where he served as Vice President of Programming Operations for the past 10½ years. His work there helped drive 50% ratings growth in year one, followed by 36 consecutive months of PPM gains year over year.
What He Said: “Radio has given me more than I ever could have imagined when this journey began nearly five decades ago,” Hamand said. He added that while his grandchildren still want to spend time with him, it was time to put family first. It’s a graceful exit from someone who clearly earned it.
What Remains Unclear: No successor has been named at Cumulus. It’s also unknown whether Hamand plans any consulting work or industry involvement going forward. The transition timeline beyond his end-of-June departure has not been publicly addressed.
What It Means: Hamand represents a generation of programmers who built careers across the consolidation era — from Jacor through iHeart and into the streaming age. His departure leaves a meaningful void in Cumulus’s programming infrastructure. However, the results he leaves behind speak clearly. Forty-eight years is a remarkable run by any standard.
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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.
