Morning co-host Gregg Henson and afternoon host Brian Vander Ark have departed the station. Michelle McKormick and Travis Gibbs remain in mornings, while Jordan Lass joins WLAV for afternoons from the same timeslot at sister CHR “105.3 Hot-FM” WHTS-FM. Jackie Green continues in middays with Westwood One’s “Steve Gorman Rocks” at night.
Lass joined Cumulus Grand Rapids in September 2024 as APD/afternoon host at WHTS-FM. He began his career in Port Huron MI holding roles at CHR 96.9 WBTI and “Rock 105.5” WHLS from 2016-19 before a ten month stint in the dual role of as PD/afternoon host at iHeartMedia CHR “Hot 95.7” KOSY-FM Cedar Rapids and afternoon host at Alternative “Alt 106.3” KDXA Des Moines. He joined Midwest Kalamazoo in March 2020 first as morning show producer and midday host at Country “Win 98.5” WNWN and rose to APD/afternoon host until his move to Hot AC “Hits 96.5” WZOX when it launched in March 2021. He then became Brand Manager there from September 2021 until his exit in October 2023. He continues to track nights on AAA “94.5 The Q” WKLQ Grand Rapids.
He wrote on October 30, “Today marks a new chapter in my radio career. After a decade plus in Alternative and Top 40, I’m moving down the hall to make the transition to Classic Rock. As a Grand Rapids native, words can’t describe what it’s like to be part of the legendary WLAV – catch me weekday afternoons from 3-7”
Henson had joined WLAV in December 2022 from Richmond VA where he was serving as Program Director for Audacy News/Talk 1140/96.1 WRVA and Sports “910/105.1 The Fan” WRNL. He has previously been heard in Grand Rapids on a dual market afternoon show he hosted for 1130 WDFN Detroit and 96.1 WMAX Grand Rapids. Henson also hosted and programmed at Sports 1130 WDFN and 1270 WXYT Detroit, 950 WPEN Philadelphia, 970 WBGG Pittsburgh 1300 KVET Austin and 105.3 KRLD-FM Dallas and News/Talk 1190 WOWO Fort Wayne during his career.
The lead singer of the band The Verve Pipe, the West Michigan native Vander Ark began working in radio as afternoon host in October 2023.
To fill Lass’ afternoon slot on “105.3 Hot-FM”, the station has added Ali Aaron. Aaron also hosts afternoons for the company’s KQHN Shreveport LA and WIOG Saginaw MI. Aaron has also previously hosted middays at CHR “Hot 93.3” KLIF-FM Dallas, co-hosted mornings at Country 101.1 KRMD-FM Shreveport, and was MD/morning host at KQHN.
