Salem Media Group has appointed Darren Ryder as General Manager of its Houston TX properties.
Ryder joins Salem from Townsquare Media Lake Charles LA, where he had served as Market President since June 2019. He previously served as General Manager for Salem in Orlando for eight months in 2006. He has also worked in sales management positions for KATC-TV Lafayette LA and Charter and Time Warner Cable.
Ryder will succeed Chuck Jewel, who will retire on April 30 following a 48 year career. Jewel has led Salem Houston since September 2004 and previously spent sixteen years as GM of WHO/KLYF Des Moines.
Salem Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SALM) announced today that Chuck Jewel is retiring from Salem Media Group’s Houston cluster of stations (100.7 KKHT FM, and 1070 KNTH AM) effective April 30, 2021. Chuck joined Salem in September of 2004. Prior to joining Salem, Chuck’s 48-year career included a long run at WHO/KLYF in Des Moines, Iowa where he rose through the ranks into sales management followed by becoming a General Manager in 1988.
About his time at Salem, Chuck said, “The 16 ½ years with Salem have been the most fulfilling of my career.”
Darren Ryder will replace Chuck as General Manager. Darren has over 20 years of experience leading teams with Time Warner Cable, Spectrum, and most recently Townsquare Media. He was also the General Manager for Salem’s Orlando operation a number of years ago. Salem Senior VP, Linnae Young said, “We are delighted to have Darren re-join Salem. Darren is an innovative leader, who has developed sales and marketing strategies resulting in impressive growth for his clients and his teams. He has worked on local, regional, and national levels in both audio and digital.”
