Louie Cruz has been promoted from Program Director of iHeartMedia Rhythmic Hot AC “95.7 Kiss-FM” KSSX San Diego to Senior VP/Programming of the company’s Modesto and Stockton CA stations.
Cruz will be responsible for Hot AC “B93” 92.9 KOSO, Active Rock “Rock 96.7” KMRQ, Rhythmic AC “Mega 100” KQOD, AC “Sunny 102.3” KJSN and Talk simulcast “PowerTalk” 1280 KWSX/1360 KFIV. He previously worked at the cluster as APD of KQOD from 2001 to 2005 before moving to Bakersfield as PD of “99.3 The Groove” KKBB. He has programmed KSSX since July 2013.
Will this lead to further changes at KSSX? We reported last week that iHeart had registered a few domains for “Jam’n 95.7“, which the company has launched on KSSX-HD3. Is that a decoy to get us off the scent or what it truly will be used for?
iHeartMedia has named Louie Cruz as the Senior Vice President of Programming for Modesto/Stockton, effective immediately. The radio cluster includes Hot AC KOSO-FM, Rhythmic AC KQOD-FM, Active Rock KMRQ-FM, AC KJSN-FM, News/Talk KFIV-AM-and produces notable marquee events.
“Louie adds the experience we’re looking for in Modesto,” said Steve Geofferies, Executive Vice President, iHeartMedia West Division. “This is a terrific opportunity for him to grow as an Senior Vice President of Programming and continue his growth with our company.”
Cruz’s career includes work at KSFM in Sacramento, KXJM in Portland, KSSX in San Diego, KWIN, KWNN and KQOD in Stockton/Modesto, KKBB in Bakersfield and KRTO Santa Maria/Pismo.
“I grew up in the Central Valley and could not be more excited to take on this new role with iHeartmedia,” said Cruz. “Going home to oversee the future success of these great radio stations is a dream come true! I do want to say thank you to Andrew Jeffries, Melissa Forrest, John Peake, Jeff Negrete and Steve Geoffries for this incredible opportunity!”