Lori Voornas Ready To Unplug
• Morning radio listeners in Portland, ME will soon have to deal with a serious adjustment in their weekday wake-up routine, as Lori Voornas, longtime co-host of the HOM Morning Show With Lori & Jeff, alongside Jeff Parsons on Townsquare AC WHOM, who on Monday announced her intention to retire, effective Friday, June 27.
Voornas, a 2019 inductee into the Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, has been a familiar Portland radio companion for more than three decades, but has decided, “After 32 years of doing morning radio, I’m saying goodbye to this chapter of my life.” In a message posted online, Voornas said, “This was a decision long in the making, and it’s important to me that you, who have been with me on this ride for decades, know exactly why I’m ending my radio career. I’ve had a lot going on in my personal life that I haven’t shared with you all. I’m healthy and happy, but my life has been in a whirlwind for some time now. That played a big part in this decision. I also am turning 60 this September, and I thought long and hard about the last chapter of my life. It doesn’t include a 4am alarm clock.”
Voornas clarified that the decision to leave was hers alone… and not a management decision. “I am NOT being forced out,” she said. “Quite the opposite, my bosses here at WHOM are sad to see me go, but ultimately happy that I’m happy with my decision.”
When asked about her favorite part of doing morning radio, Voornas immediately mentioned her longtime co-host: “These last couple of decades, I’ve gotten to work with Jeff Parsons. Jeff is a unicorn in the radio world. The man has no ego, and let me steamroll him for over 20 years. He gladly let me shine and be loud and bossy. You never find that in this business. Never. He’s smart, incredibly talented, a giant pain in the ass, and I love the guy like a brother.”
Voornas added, “The biggest push was my gut telling me it’s time. This isn’t just a job; this has been my whole world for nearly 40 years. I have worked in radio pretty much since I landed in Maine in the ’80s. If you ask anyone who knows me, I haven’t just been a disc jockey; I’ve poured my heart and soul into making your morning commute a good one. And in return, you have given me a giant hug for 32 years.”
