Hubbard Radio AC 100.3 WSHE-FM Chicago has named Cat Thomas as their new Program Director and Paul Webber as APD for that station and sister Classic Rock “97.1 The Drive” WDRV.
Thomas joins Hubbard from Austin where he served as VP/Programming for Entercom’s cluster from 2007 until exiting this past summer. He also spent 12 years in Jacksonville as OM for Cox Media and PD of CHR 95.1 WAPE. Webber had been serving as Interim PD of WSHE-FM since the exit of Marty Bender in April in addition to serving as Direct Marketing Manager for Hubbard Chicago.
Hubbard Radio Chicago’s Adult contemporary WSHE – FM (SHE) has recruited Cat Thomas to oversee programming responsibilities. Thomas most recently spent eight years as Vice President of Programming for Entercom Austin.
In making the announcement to the Chicago staff earlier today, Hubbard Radio Chicago Vice President / Market Manager John Gallagher stated “Cat has a stellar reputation for leading winning brands and we are thrilled to welcome him to Chicago’s fastest growing radio station, SHE.”
Hubbard Radio Senior Vice President of Programming Greg Solk added, “When we started our search for a Program Director for SHE, Cat claimed that he was a ‘strategic thinker, an idea machine, leader, teacher, winner & a snappy dresser’ after spending an extended period of time with Cat over the past few weeks, I can honestly say he certainly has five of the six attributes – Welcome to Chicago Cat!”
Thomas added “I am beyond excited about this opportunity with the best company in the business; Hubbard Radio. The programming team in Chicago has done a fantastic job of launching and branding WSHE, I’m looking forward to collaborating with everyone on the team and leading SHE to even bigger successes, accomplishing all our goals, and setting new ones!
Prior to joining Entercom Austin in June of 2007, Thomas spent 12 years in Jacksonville, FL as Operations Manager of the Cox Media Group cluster including legendary WAPE.
Paul Webber who most recently held down multiple roles for the Chicago cluster, including interim Program Director at WSHE, has been promoted to Assistant Program Director for Hubbard Radio Chicago’s AC WSHE and Classic Rock WDRV.
In making the announcement, Hubbard Chicago SVP/Programming and Operations Greg Solk stated “Paul has been our secret weapon for many years here in Chicago; it’s time for that secret to get out. Paul has done a tremendous job as interim PD at WSHE after Marty Bender left us, and we believe adding Paul to the Programing team at both of these stations strengthens our cluster dramatically.”
Webber added, “The opportunity to lead WSHE during this transition and delve back into day to day programming has reinvigorated my already intense passion for radio; working with the staff at SHE has propelled me to envision an even brighter future for our industry. We have great programming and on-air teams at both SHE and The Drive and I am excited to be charged with joining Cat Thomas and Curtiss Johnson in guiding the continued growth of these brands.”
Webber has been with the Chicago cluster for 18 and a half out of the last 22 years, and has held various roles, including Production Director and Marketing Director for WTMX, along with Direct Marketing Manager for the Chicago cluster. Webber will retain his Direct Marketing responsibilities along with his new duties. Webber’s career includes 33 years in radio on-air, production, marketing, and programming with WAXY-FM & Y-100 Miami, Y-98 St. Louis, WLUP-FM Chicago, WLHT-FM Grand Rapids, and WKMQ-FM Rockford among others.
