Cumulus Media Conservative Talk 105.9 WMAL-FM Woodbridge VA/Washington DC Program Director Bill Hess will retire on December 31 ending a 48 year radio career.

Hess has programmed WMAL since 2010 during which time he also served as Vice President of News/Talk for the company and Operations Manager for the Washington cluster. Among other positions Hess held included SVP/Programming for Air America, Program Director of WASH/WBIG/WTEM/WWRC Washington and WWBB/WSNE/WHJJ Providence for Clear Channel, and Regional VP/Programming for Capstar Broadcasting overseeing Stamford CT/Westchester NY. Hess began his career on-air in 1977 at WCBG Chambersburg PA and later held roles on-air and programming at WBET/WCAV Brockton, WORC Worcester, and WHYN AM/FM Springfield MA

Hess commented, “I am grateful for these 48 years in the business I love, programming both music and spoken word stations, and working with the most exciting and entertaining teams in radio. Concluding with the past 15 years at WMAL and Cumulus Media has been a true highlight.”

Cumulus Chief Content Officer Brian Phillips said, “Bill is an esteemed leader, teacher and journalist. He possesses intellect, a gift for talent development and strict high standards. It has been our good fortune to work in the trenches with Bill during the overheated recent news cycle. Bill will always be our trusted advisor. We wish Bill great things in retirement and thank him for his uncountable accomplishments with Cumulus Media and our high-performing News/Talk stations – particularly for his work programming our News/Talk flagship, WMAL. His legacy is forever secure.”

Cumulus Washington DC VP/Market Manager Jeff Boden added, “It has been a privilege and a blessing to work alongside Bill. His calm, insightful demeanor and his remarkable ability to attract and lead best-in-class talent has set a standard rarely seen in the News/Talk format.”