Connoisseur Media has announced the arrival of Gordon Mays as Operations Manager of its suburban Chicago stations.
Mays joins Connoisseur from the Milwaukee Radio Alliance where he was serving as PD/afternoon host on Country “Froggy MKE” and midday host on Alternative “FM 102.1” WLUM until the announcement of its sale last month. He had joined the Milwaukee cluster last November after previously serving as Director of Programming for Mid-West Family Broadcasting Rockford IL and PD/midday host of Country “95.3 The Bull” WRTB. Mays began his career at WKQX/WLUP Chicago in promotions and on-air roles before spending three years hosting nights at CBS Rock 94.1 WYSP Philadelphia from 2008-11 followed by five years in weekends/fill-in at Country 92.5 WXTU. He would join WRTB as afternoon host in 2017, and also spent some time filling in at WUSN Chicago.
In his new role he will have direct programming oversight for their two Hot AC’s “Star 96.7” WSSR Joliet and “Star 105.5” WZSR Crystal Lake and Classic Alternative “95.9 The River” WERV Aurora and overseeing the remainder of the stations including “Free Country” 98.3 WCCQ Crest Hill/102.3 WXLC Waukegan, Rock 95.1 WIIL Union Grove WI and “Q Rock 100.7” WRXQ Coal City, News/Talk 1340 WJOL Joliet, 1050 WLIP Kenosha WI, and Spanish Sports “TUDN 1220” WKRS Waukegan.
He stated, “It’s so exciting to be joining Connoisseur Chicagoland right now and getting to work with such a talented, passionate team that I’ve followed and admired for many years. Being born and raised in these Chicago Suburbs, I have so much appreciation for Karl Wertzler, Brian Foster, and Keith Dakin for their shared vision and opportunity to make real, authentic connections with communities I’ve always called home.”
Market Manager Karl Wertzler added, “This seems like a natural fit and the timing was certainly right. We did an extensive, nationwide search, and we found a guy right in our backyard with great experience and solid knowledge of the areas we serve.
