He’s a radio industry veteran who once served as Operations Manager and as a programming leader for Cox Media Group’s Tampa-St. Petersburg station group. As of today, he’s back in Tampa Bay as the new Brand Manager of Beasley Media Group‘s five FMs and WHFS-AM.
Oh, and he’ll also program Country WQYK-FM.
Earning the post is Rick Thomas, giving him leadership of not only WQYK but also Hip-Hop WLLD “Wild 94.1,” Tropical WYUU “Maxima 92.5,” Rocker WPBB “98.7 The Pirate,” Classic Hits WRBQ “Q105” and WHFS “Money Talk 1010.”
Thomas most recently served as the national format leader and day-to-day Program Director at SummitMedia’s WWST-FM in Knoxville. He was also the company’s brand and content leader for Top 40, Adult Contemporary formats and its Hawaiian music stations on O’ahu, a position he gained in December 2020. Before that, he served as VP of Programming for Max Media Denver for a 15-month period to “help a good friend” with his move-in signals. That experience came following nearly three years in Tampa.
From April 2013-February 2017, Thomas was a Program Director for CBS Radio, leading at first KTWV “94.7 The Wave” and KRTH “K-Earth 101” in Los Angeles before shifting to New York, where he led the former “92.3 AMP Radio.” From June 2005-July 2009, he served as PD of XHRM “Magic 92.5” in San Diego. And from January 2004-May 2005 he was Director of Programming for Univision Radio in San Antonio.
Thomas first rose to prominence at pioneering Urban Top 40 KUTE-FM in Los Angeles as a studio assistant in 1981. In 1988, he took on PD duties for WLUM/Milwaukee under the late Willie Davis, who was the station’s licensee at that time. He also worked with programming consultant Jerry Clifton for several years, at New World Communications.
“After an extensive nationwide search, it’s a pleasure to welcome Rick to the Beasley Tampa team,” said Beasley Media Group Chief Content Officer Justin Chase. “With Rick’s track record of success and experience in Tampa, not to mention the positive history he has with our Market Manager, I believe QYK is in good hands.”
By joining Beasley/Tampa, Thomas reunites with VP/Market Manager Ron deCastro; the two worked together in New York. “Rick is one of the best Programming minds and Culture builder and I look forward to teaming up again with him in Tampa,” he said.
Thomas commented, “Having an opportunity to return to Tampa, make a difference for a company I’ve greatly admired and reunite with my New York City partner, Ron DeCastro, is a dream come true. I am thrilled to curate and lead the legendary 995 QYK into the future. We have amazing talent in the building, and I am super excited to be a resource to them and help grow our cluster.”
