As he approaches 35 years at Hubbard News 103.5 WTOP Washington DC, Hubbard Radio Washington DC SVP/General Manager Joel Oxley will retire in 2027.
Oxley told staffers, “Because we are doing well and the best time is when you are doing well and because I’m flipping 65, it’s time to hang up my cleats and retire and move on to the next thing in my life. This was 100% my decision. I’ve been thinking about this for awhile and I look back and I say What has kept me here so long. I’m looking at it. It’s the people. Of course I love news. I’ve loved news since I was in college. I was in the news business a little bit in college at the newspaper and radio station. That’s been the common thread of my career. And I’ve also loved marketing and advertising. While I was on the air, not very well, I wasn’t very good in college, I also sold advertising. So all of that came together. And I feel incredibly blessed to have worked with all of you and all of the other great people over the years that I’ve been able to work with.”
Hubbard President/CEO Ginny Hubbard commented, “Joel’s leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to excellence have shaped this organization for decades. His impact on our people and our brands is lasting, and we are grateful for his remarkable service. We are also incredibly grateful that he is willing to continue offering his experience and expertise to the company once he steps away from leading WTOP-WFED’s daily operations and strategy.”
Oxley will remain actively involved over the coming months to support a smooth leadership transition. He will also continue in an advisory and consulting role with Hubbard Broadcasting following his retirement.
Oxley joined then 1500 WTOP in 1992 as an account executive. Over the next six years he rose to National Sales Manager, Local Sales Manager, General Sales Manager and General Manager. He would gradually add the remainder of what was then Bonneville’s Washington DC stations to his oversight and became SVP/Market Manager in 2004 upon the launch of “Federal News Radio” and then the 2006 move of WTOP to 103.5. He remained in his current role when Hubbard acquired the cluster in 2009. Prior to joining WTOP, Oxley held sales roles at the Washington Business Journal, the Chicago Tribune, and CHR 105.1 WAVA Washington.
After an incredible run leading WTOP News for 28 years, General Manager Joel Oxley has announced he will retire.
Thank you, Joel, for your vision, leadership, and lasting impact on our newsroom and community. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter! pic.twitter.com/fQxbOaFvF4
— WTOP (@WTOP) May 14, 2026
