Malama Media Group has announced the appointment of Rick Thomas as SVP/Programming overseeing their stations in Honolulu and programming strategies for future acquisitions.
Thomas most recently served as Brand Manager of Beasley Country 99.5 WQYK and Classic Hits “Q105” WRBQ Tampa until exiting in May. It marks a return to Honolulu for him as he previously served as VP/Programming for Ohana Broadcasting in the market. Thomas has also held roles as Brand and Content Leader for Top 40, Hot AC and AC for SummitMedia, VP/Programming and Operations for Max Media Denver, Operations Manager for Cox Media Group in Tampa, Pacific Region Brand Manager for Clear Channel, and Program Director of stations including WBMP New York, KTWV and KRTH Los Angeles, XHTZ and XHRM San Diego, WLUM Milwaukee, KYLD San Francisco, and KSFM Sacramento.
Thomas commented, “Coming back to Hawaii feels like coming home. I raised my family in Honolulu. I have a special love for creating great radio and serving the people here. I’m grateful to Monroe and Josh for their trust and for welcoming me into what they’re building at Malama. E Hana Kākou. E Kūkulu Pū”.
Malama Media Group Managing Partner and Honolulu Market President Josh Villa said, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Rick back home to our ‘ohana. When you look at the breadth of what Rick has accomplished, from programming iconic stations in New York and Los Angeles to leading multi-format clusters in some of the country’s most competitive markets, you’re looking at someone who truly knows how to build winning brands and winning teams. His experience across virtually every major format, combined with his genuine passion for radio and deep respect for the communities he serves, makes him exactly the kind of leader we want in our organization. Hawaii deserves the best, and Rick is the very best.”
General Managing Partner Monroe Greer said, “Rick and I go back 45 years. We came up together at XHTZ in San Diego, crossed paths again at KOY-FM in Phoenix, and then again at XHRM in San Diego. When you share that kind of history with someone, you don’t just know their resume; you know who they are. I’ve watched Rick grow from a talented young programmer into one of the finest executives in this business, and through all of it, he has never changed. He’s the same genuine person of good character and integrity that he was when we were both figuring it out together all those years ago, which is exactly why I’m so proud and excited to finally be working alongside him again. This one means the world to me on a deeply personal level.”
Malama Media Group acquired Salem Media’s former Honolulu cluster last year which includes Country 97.5 KHCM-FM Honolulu, Christian Preaching “99.5 The Word” KGU-FM Honolulu, Classic Hits “Decades 107.9” KKOL-FM Aiea, Conservative Talk “690/94.3 The Answer” KHNR/K232FL Honolulu, Brokered Sports “Hawaii Sports Radio Network” 760 KGU/95.1 K236CR Honolulu, and Brokered Chinese 880 KHCM Honolulu.
