Updated at 2:45pm Eastern
In February 1990, the Program Director of a Classic Rock FM in Northern Virginia that brought Howard Stern back to Washington, D.C., airwaves via syndication completed a five-year mission to bring the radio format to the Utica-Rome market.
He did so by teaming with Robert Raide to form the precursor to Galaxy Media Partners, establishing WKLL-FM under General Manager Michael Stapleford.
Since then, Ed Levine built Galaxy Media into a regional player, bringing tentpole events to the mix of assets amassed over 36 years. Now, Levine has announced he plans to retire later this year.
“It’s been a wonderful ride over the past 36 years,” he said. “It’s hard to believe I was 33 when I started the company, and now I’m 70. Where did the time go? As the years have passed, my priorities have changed…Spending more time with my family has become increasingly important, and I know this is the right time to begin a new chapter.”
Levine’s ties to Syracuse date to his days as an undergraduate at Syracuse University, at formerly student-run WAER; he was Program Director.
In 1978, Levine joined a team of pioneers in Central New York radio station owner who decided to bring an Album-Oriented Rock FM to Syracuse. Owned by Craig Fox and George Kimble and with Ted Utz and Russell Kimble in the leadership mix, Levine became the first Music Director of WAQX “95X.”
Fox remains a licensee in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York. Decades ago, FCC ownership rules limited him from owning more radio stations. This, Fox tells RBR+TVBR, was a catalyst for Ed and his wife, Pam, to move forward with its WKLL purchase.
Today, Galaxy is the parent of the “KRock,” Classic Rock “TK99,” Adult Contemporary “Sunny 102” and ESPN Syracuse brands, each heard on two signals in the Syracuse market. In neighboring Utica-Rome, Galaxy’s audio brands are comprised of “KRock,” “Mix 102.5,” Adult Hits “99.1 TONY FM,” and “ESPN Utica Rome.”
Galaxy’s live events business is anchored by Taste of Syracuse, the Syracuse Nationals car show, Lights on the Lake, and the Wine & Chocolate Festivals.
Beyond ownership, Levine founded the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame, which marked its 20th anniversary last year and is welcoming new leader Heidi Raphael.
Galaxy has not named a successor for Levine; additional details on leadership succession and his effective retirement date are expected in the coming weeks. In January, Galaxy Media promoted five internal leaders, including Nick Maine to Chief Operating Officer and Alex Conn to Chief Content Officer, in what the company called a strategic expansion.
“I do wish Ed the best in retirement as he certainly has grown a fine broadcasting group and was definitely a motivator in progressively reforming a number of issues that ultimately benefited the radio industry as a whole,” Fox tells RBR+TVBR. “From early college days through both of our career paths, he has remained a good friend.”
— Reporting by Cameron Coats, in Troy, N.Y.; and Adam R Jacobson in Boca Raton, Fla. Archival reporting by Ed Ryan
FROM THE RBR+TVBR ARCHIVES:
A Galaxy Celebrates Three Decades Of Serving The Empire State
