Saga Communications has named Scott Chase & Ryan Ploeckelman as Directors of Group Programming to oversee the company’s programming as SVP/Content Pat Paxton prepares to depart the company at the end of the month.
Chase, who currently oversees the company’s Ocala FL operations, previously held the position for the company from August 2020 until Paxton’s arrival in June 2023. He previously served as Operations Manager of Saga’s Clarksville TN stations from 2004 to 2002 and previously programmed WRQQ Nashville, WSSR Tampa, WZOK Rockford, WAOA Melbourne, WTLQ Scranton and WSRZ Sarasota.
As first reported by Barrett Media, Paxton announced his upcoming departure in a memo to staff on Friday, adding on LinkedIn, “After months of agonizing over what to do, I finally made a decision. It’s a hard decision to make, but sometimes you need to know when it’s time to say it’s time.”
Paxton previously served as Chief Programming Officer for Audacy from 2004 until exiting in August 2021. Paxton joined then-Entercom as Operations Manager of Rhythmic AC “Star 93.7” WQSX Boston before moving to the corporate role in 2004 and also led the company’s Content Innovation Group producing original digital and social content and syndicating local shows. Prior to joining Entercom, Paxton started his career in South Dakota and would work in Sioux City IA, La Crosse WI, and Huntington WV holding corporate roles for Cardinal Communications and Adventure Radio Group. Paxton also programmed KHMX Houston and WOMX Orlando and was National Programming Director of Nationwide Communications.
