Hawaiian Homecoming For Rick Thomas
• Rick Thomas has booked a return trip to Honolulu, as he is joining Malama Media Group as Senior Vice President of Programming, overseeing the company’s Hawaii radio cluster as well as programming strategies for future acquisitions. That group currently includes Country 97.5 KHCM, Classic Hits KKOL (Decades 107.9), Christian Talk KGU-FM (99.5 The Word), Sports-Talk KGU-AM 760, and Conservative Talk KHNR-AM 690.
Thomas most recently spent three years as Brand Manager of Beasley’s Tampa Bay radio group. Before that he worked for SummitMedia as National Format Leader and PD of Top 40 WWST (Star 102.1)/Knoxville, preceded by a stint as VP of Programming for Max Media Denver. Tampa Bay was already familiar territory for market for Thomas, thanks to an earlier stint as as OM of Cox Media Group’s cluster. His extensive programming portfolio also included WBMP/New York, KRTH & KTWV/Los Angeles, KYLD/San Francisco, KSFM/Sacramento, XHRM/San Diego, plus three tours of duty at XHTZ (Z90)/San Diego and a four-year run with Ohana Broadcasting Honolulu.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Rick back home to our ‘ohana,” said Josh Villa, Managing Partner and Market President of Malama Media Group. “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 remarked, “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.”
“Coming back to Hawaii feels like coming home,” Thomas said. “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”.”
