One month after returning to Cumulus Media News/Talk 810 KGO and Conservative Talk 560 KSFO San Francisco as Program Director, Jack Swanson is transitioning to a programming consultant position.
Lee Hammer, who current serves as Operations Manager for Cumulus San Francisco and Vice President of Play-by-Play Programming for Sports 680 KNBR, will take over the PD duties for the stations. Hammer previously served as Interim Program Director at KGO/KSFO in 2015 while also serving as Program Director of KNBR and “1050 KNBR” KTCT. Hammer rose to his current position in July 2017 after programming KTCT from 1998-2016 and KNBR from 2005-2017.
Swanson, who programmed KGO and KSFO from 1994 through 2011, returned in early October after most recently serving as Director of News and Programming for News 740 KCBS/106.9 KFRC.
CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has appointed veteran Bay Area radio programming professional Lee Hammer as Program Director of powerhouse San Francisco Talk Radio stations KGO and KSFO. Hammer served KGO and KSFO as Interim Program Director in 2015, when he was also the Program Director at KNBR 680 and KNBR 1050 (KTCT), positions he held for 12 years and over 19 years, respectively. Hammer was promoted last year to Operations Manager for the Cumulus cluster in San Francisco and Vice President of Play-by-Play Programming for KNBR. He assumes the additional role of KGO and KSFO Program Director from recently appointed Program Director Jack Swanson, who will now serve as programming consultant for KGO and KSFO.
Doug Harvill, Vice President and Market Manager, CUMULUS MEDIA-San Francisco, said: “Lee Hammer did an excellent job while handling the programming for KGO and KSFO. It’s an easy choice to hand Lee the keys to these two legendary radio stations.”
Harvill added: “Jack Swanson has decided he’s happiest spending his days playing on the beach rather than sitting behind a desk. We’re pleased he’ll continue to share his vision about the future of KGO and KSFO as he continues to serve the stations as a programming consultant.”
Hammer said: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the talented professionals at KGO and KSFO. I want to thank Doug Harvill for his confidence in me, and for the opportunity to consult with Jack Swanson, who is without a doubt, one of the top talk radio programmers in the country.”
Swanson said: “I realize my decision to return to the beach is sudden. I quickly fell in love all over again with these wonderful stations and their talented people, but ultimately, my change of heart comes from my desire to fully enjoy a future of unlimited fun, travel and adventure. And making this move complete, through the unbelievable graciousness of Doug Harvill, Lee Hammer and the entire Cumulus Corporate team, I’ll still have the opportunity to contribute my ideas for the future of these amazing radio stations.”
