In another sign that Cumulus Media is a reinvigorated, and less debt-laden, operator of radio stations, a 30-year industry veteran with stints at iHeartMedia and Alpha Media on his resume has just agreed to steward the company’s stations in Alabama’s biggest market.
In an announcement made Wednesday morning (9/12), Cumulus revealed that it has appointed Bill Gentry as VP/Market Manager of its Birmingham cluster.
Gentry takes the role after previously serving as SVP/Market Manager for Alpha’s Louisville cluster.
Before that, Gentry was a Regional Market President for iHeartMedia, where he managed radio stations in Louisville, Lexington, and Somerset, Ky.; and in Nashville.
Gentry spent many years at iHeartMedia, and served as a Senior VP with oversight of the operations of Clear Channel stations in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, Indianapolis and Memphis.
Gentry’s tenure in Kentucky was also marked by his membership on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Broadcasters Association (2011-2016). In 2014, the organization honored him as CRS/CA Medium Market Manager/GM of the Year.
He now reports to Cumulus RVP/Operations Mark Sullivan, who said, “I’m really excited and pleased to have Bill joining our team in Birmingham. We’re fortunate to be bringing someone of his caliber and experience to the company. I’m looking forward to our continued success in Birmingham.”
Gentry added, “I am thrilled to join the Cumulus team in Birmingham and grateful to Mary and the leadership team for this opportunity. I am particularly excited to be starting just as college football is kicking off in the heart of the SEC, as we are the sports authority in the market. Given my experience within News/Talk and recent time working within the Urban arena, I can’t wait to get started! And I hope the staff won’t mind if I hang a UK jersey in my office. Looking forward to this new adventure. This is going to be fun!”
