Shea Retires, Tinley Upped @ CMG Long Island

• After 14 years as VP/GM of Cox Media Group’s Long Island properties, Top 40 WBLI, Classic Rock WBAB and its Local Solutions digital media platform, John Shea has announced his retirement, effective Friday, Feb. 14. Luckily, the company has a deep talent bench, which has resulted in the elevation of Director of Sales Katelin Tinley to succeed Shea as VP/GM.

“John has been a fabulous leader for CMG since taking the helm at CMG Long Island back in 2006,” said CMG CEO Kim Guthrie. “Long Island is a fiercely competitive market in that it competes with over 50 signals from New York City and the tri-state. We thank John for his tireless leadership over the years and wish him the very best in his retirement.”

CMG EVP of Radio Bill Hendrich said of Shea, “John is the kind of passionate leader that we love at CMG. John loves his team. He loves his stations. And he loves Long Island. We are losing a friend and a great business partner but know that he has worked hard for this day and wish him the absolute best in his retirement.” Before joining CMG in 2006, Shea spent 15 years with Barnstable Broadcasting in various sales and management positions.

Tinley started her career with CMG in 2005 as an Account Exec for WBLI. She was upped to Local Sales Manager in 2009, elevated to GSM in 2013, and promoted to DOS in 2019. Commenting on Tinley’s unique qualifications to lead the cluster, Hendrich said, “Katelin is one of the many great leaders that we have on our Long Island team. She is also a fine example of growth in our company. With her successive promotions, Katelin has grown and developed herself to be ready to take on this new leadership opportunity. We are excited to have Katelin be our VP/GM of Long Island and look forward to her leading the team to continued success.”

• Concurrent with Shea’s Feb. 14 retirement and Tinley’s elevation to VP/GM, it was announced that GSM Megan Borelli will succeed Tinley as Director of Sales.