He’s been associated with a Hearst Communications heritage Rock n’ Roll radio station serving “Charm City” for eight years and has a resume that includes roles at Saga Communications and a top-level role at former WMXJ/Miami and WQSR/Baltimore owner Sconnix Broadcasting.
Now, this veteran radio industry figure who once served as OM of WIP/Philadelphia and Station Manager of WBZ-AM in Boston has decided to say “Good Morning Baltimore” to his staff one final time come March 31.
Cary Pahigian will exit as President/GM of WBAL-AM 1090, the heritage News/Talk station serving Baltimore, and Rock sibling WIYY-FM 97.9, branded for generations as “98 Rock.”
Pahigian has led the formidable audio duo, which now includes an FM translator at 101.5 MHz for WBAL Radio, since 2014. He is leaving “to explore several new professional opportunities,” Hearst announced on Monday.
Upon Pahigian’s exit, 24-year Hearst veteran Dan Joerres will absorb Pahigian’s radio role, adding it to his duties as President/GM of WBAL-11, the market’s NBC affiliate.
Joerres has been a “close partner and collaborator” with Pahigian on several multimedia initiatives for Hearst in Baltimore since 2014, including securing in-market rights across all of the properties for Baltimore Ravens NFL football coverage. Most recently, the Baltimore Orioles Major League Baseball club made WBAL Radio and 98 Rock their co-flagship stations.
And, while Joerres has spent his career in television, he essentially grew up in radio — his father was an executive with Saga, where Pahigian worked as President/GM of the company’s Portland, Me., radio group.
“When Cary joined us eight years ago, he brought a wealth of experience at many of the nation’s most honored radio stations,” said Hearst Television President Jordan Wertlieb, who also has top oversight of the two legacy radio stations owned by the company. “His passionate advocacy for local broadcasting and his strong appreciation for broadcasters’ important community service role were hallmarks of his spectacular success in managing WBAL Radio and 98 ROCK to even greater heights. We wish him great success in his well-deserved next chapter.”
Pahigian commented, “I joined WBAL and 98 ROCK because of the exceptional leadership team and extraordinary culture at Hearst Television. My longtime teammate and friend Dan Joerres epitomizes that level of managerial acumen. I know he will lead the outstanding teams throughout WBAL-TV, WBAL NewsRadio and 98 ROCK to even greater achievements. While I plan more adventures for my ongoing career, I leave Hearst with my gratitude for their support and providing me the opportunity of a lifetime.”
In the early 1980s, Pahigian was in Portland, Me., working at WGAN Radio — today a part of Saga and originally a Guy Gannett station. From there, he’d become PD of WIP, before finding his way to WBZ in 1984 before joining Sconnix in July 1987 as VP/Director of Operations. At the time, Sconnix owned WBOS and WHDH in Boston.
