Entercom News/Talk 930 WBEN Buffalo NY has announced that David Bellavia will return to the station to host from 9am-12pm starting August 3.
Bellavia, who will succeed the retiring Sandy Beach, originally joined WBEN in 2012 as a fill-in host before rising to late nights. He then co-hosted afternoons with Tom Bauerle from 2016 until last year. Following receipt of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Iraq War last summer, Bellavia took a leave from the station to tour the country an behalf of the U.S. Army.
In addition to his military service, Bellavia has run for multiple political offices in Western New York.
Entercom, a leading media and entertainment company and the undisputed leader in local news talk radio, announced the return of former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and on-air host David Bellavia as morning show host for WBEN (WBEN-AM), the voice of news in Buffalo. Bellavia will be heard weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET, beginning August 3.
“David is a true representation of an American patriot and the perfect choice to help unite our listeners each morning,” said Tim Holly, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Buffalo. “David has a bright on-air future ahead of him and we’re excited about his return to the WBEN airwaves.”
“I have a deep respect for Sandy Beach and am truly humbled to have my own program on WBEN,” said Bellavia. “My goal is to completely reinvent how local talk radio is perceived and make WBEN the place where Buffalo comes together to start their day.”
David Bellavia joined WBEN as an on-air host in 2013 and served as an afternoon show co-host alongside Tom Bauerle from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, he took a leave from the station to tour the country on behalf of the U.S. Army following his receipt of the prestigious Medal of Honor. Since enlisting in the United States Army in 1999, Bellavia has been awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah, the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He is also the best-selling author of ‘House to House: An Epic Memoir of War,’ former Congressional candidate and a frequent speaker nationally.