Fernando Ventura Presents: Portugal. The Move
• Big news out of the Bay Area, as RAMP has confirmed that longtime market mainstay Fernando Ventura is resigning his midday post at Bonneville Top 40 KMVQ (99.7NOW)/San Francisco next month and is relocating to Portugal.
Fernando broke the news of his impending international adventure in an Instagram post that reads: “We’re moving to Portugal! More on that in future posts. Sadly, I’ll be hanging up my headphones for a while and taking a break from radio while my husband builds his business and I learn a new language. I’ll miss my @997now family and the amazing teams at our sister stations. 20 years in the Bay Area with 13 lucky ones spent on the air @997now where everyday I am treated like a superstar. I wish that kind of treatment for all in my line of work. Forever grateful!”
KMVQ PD Jazzy Jim Archer shared Fernando’s news of in a staff memo that reads, “Fernando is leaving 99.7 NOW for the natural beauty, warm weather, and welcoming culture of Portugal. His last day will be March 10th. I want to take this moment to show my appreciation for the passion, the drive, the talent, and the feel good energy that is FerrrrrrrNaaaannndooo. Thank you for the many wonderful years of great Bay Area radio with the last 13 of them right here on 99.7 NOW!” Archer added, “Fernando is a huge smile on the radio that you can see in your mind. He is a creator, a craftsman, and a pioneer. Where he goes, #1’s in the demos always follow. He is a great amongst greats. There is no way to move on from Fernando, so instead we will celebrate his art and passion, while all the time reaching for his high level of connection with the perfect blend of feel good humor.”
Fernando and his former on-air partner Greg Sherrell joined KMVQ (then CBS Radio’s MOViN 99.7) in late 2009, crossing the street from former Dance outlet KNGY (Energy 92.7). Ventura has been doing middays solo since April 2019, while Greg is now a member of the station’s Big Bay Mornings alongside Bennie and Nikki Blades. Ventura’s earlier radio stops include the former KZQZ (Z95.7)/San Francisco, KHKS/Dallas, Z100/New York, WIOQ/Philadelphia and KHFI/Austin.
With Fernando’s day of departure now less than a month away, and, with some large shoes to fill, the company has posted the opening online. Qualified candidates are urged to make their level of interest known, ASAP. EOE.
