Hubbard Radio News 103.5 WTOP Washington DC has announced the addition of Craig Schwalb as Director of Content Integration and Operations and the promotion of Sarah Beth Hensley to Digital News Director.
Craig Schwalb most recently served as Program Director of Conservative Talk 770 WABC for five and a half years until exiting last July. Schwab joined WABC from Cumulus’ WPRO Providence in January 2014 and has also served as Program Director of 97.1 WKRK Detroit, 850 WRBZ Raleigh, 590 WFNS St. Louis as well as Senior Director of Talk Programming for SiriusXM. He also served as APD of 102.7 WNEW New York during its Hot Talk period and through the launch of the ill-fated “Blink 102.7” format.
Hensley joined WTOP in 2013 as digital editor and rose to Digital News Manager in 2018. She will assume her new role when she returns from maternity leave next month.
Both positions fill the openings created by former Digital News Director Julia Ziegler being promoted to Director of News and Programming in December.
Hubbard Radio’s WTOP Washington has named Craig Schwalb as their new Director of Content Integration and Operations. In addition, Sarah Beth Hensley will be taking over the role of Digital News Director at WTOP. The position became open due to the promotion of Julia Ziegler to Director of News and Programming.
“The addition of our new Director of Content Integration and Operations was incredibly important to me in terms of being able to serve the newsroom most effectively,” said Julia Ziegler, Director of News and Programming at WTOP. “An additional member on the leadership team helps ensure we meet our content evolution and quality control goals, as well as our goals for team training, development and growth.”
Craig comes to WTOP from New York City where he most recently served as the program director at WABC from 2014-2019, with oversight of the station’s audio and digital products. Craig has also worked as the Program Director at WPRO in Providence, Rhode Island, WRBZ (sports talk) in Raleigh, CBS Radio and at Sirius XM in New York.
In addition to his radio and digital skills, Craig also brings an extensive background in podcasting. As a consultant for ABC News, he worked on podcasts like “Start Here.” Craig’s experience leading and growing people, along with his news background at both the local and national levels, made him a great fit for WTOP.
“For news and content, D.C. is the epicenter,” said Schwalb. “And if you are in D.C. you are listening to TOP. Joining this great station, at this fascinating time, is an absolute honor and a dream come true. Thanks to Joel Oxley, Julia Ziegler, and Greg Strassell for this incredible opportunity.”
Sarah Beth Hensley will be taking on the role of Digital News Director upon her return from maternity leave. Sarah Beth joined the WTOP digital team in 2013 as a digital editor. In 2018, she assumed the role of Digital News Manager and has been a part of WTOP’s digital evolvement over the last several years.
“In our roles as Digital News Director and Digital News Manager, respectively, I have had the opportunity to work very closely with Sarah Beth and am constantly reminded of her commitment to excellence and dedication to the WTOP mission and vision,” said Julia Ziegler, Director of News and Programming at WTOP.
Craig’s first day will be this coming Monday, March 16. Sarah Beth Hensley’s first day in her new role will be Tuesday, April 14.
