Richards Returns To Jacksonville
• iHeartMedia just declared John Richards as a very busy man — he’s the newly named PD of Country WQIK/Jacksonville, with additional programming responsibilities for WTNT/Tallahassee and WPAP/Panama City Beach, FL. Richards succeeds former WQIK PD Cindy Spicer, who transferred to the PD chair at Country sister WFUS (US103.5)/Tampa Bay in February. The move also marks a return to WQIK for Richards, who served as Production/Creative Services Director there from 1990-’92.
Richards most recently served as Market President for iHeartMedia’s markets in Corpus Christi and Harlingen-McAllen-Brownsville, TX. Before that he was Market President for iHeartMedia’s Albany, GA cluster. His previous programming stops include KRST-FM/Albuquerque, NM and WROO-FM/Jacksonville back in the day.
“I’m excited to be back in Jacksonville at WQIK,” Richards said. “I have history with the brand, and now another opportunity to add something to its tapestry. The management team is terrific, and the staff passionate. It really shows in the quality of the product. I appreciate the opportunity to contribute.”
Richards will report to G-Wiz, SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia Jacksonville, who commented, “We are very fortunate to have a proven leader like John to lead the No. 1 Country station in Jacksonville, WQIK. We are looking forward to bigger and better things in the future.” Richards can be reached at JohnRichards2@iheartmedia.com.