Kurdziel & Linder Swap Cumulus Markets
• Cumulus Media today announced two major programming moves: James Kurdziel (left), PD of Classic Rock 92 KQRS/Minneapolis is moving to Chicago as the new PD of Alternative WKQX (Q101), and Wade Linder (right), PD of Classic Hits 94.7 WLS-FM/Chicago, returns to the Twin Cities as PD of 92 KQRS.
And there’s more: Cumulus has also expanded Kurdziel’s corporate programming leadership role, upping him from VP of Classic Rock to the newly created position of VP of Classic Rock & Alternative, absorbing some of the responsibilities formerly held by Troy Hanson, who recently left the company. In addition to his new role with 92 KQRS, Linder will also continue to handle Special Projects for the Cumulus Corporate Programming team.
Brian Philips, Chief Content Officer of Cumulus Media and Westwood One, said, “In our careers, we may never again hit upon the perfect alignment of circumstances which made this deal possible. Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul have always generously shared people and ideas. We believe we’ve landed the ideal combination of star programmers to ensure the ongoing success of these stations.”
Marv Nyren, VP/Market Manager, Cumulus Chicago, said, “One of the benefits of having great talent throughout Cumulus is that when multi-market opportunities like this come up, we create a win-win-win situation. Having an experienced talent like James Kurdziel take over the reins of Q101 couldn’t happen at a better time and the entire staff in Chicago will benefit from his leadership and expertise. While WLS-FM will miss Wade’s knowledge and total professionalism, he gets to go back home and stay within the Cumulus family.”
Shelly Malecha Wilkes, VP/Market Manager, Cumulus Minneapolis, said, “Congratulations to James Kurdziel. James has done an outstanding job in Minneapolis and, while we will miss his daily presence, this is a wonderful opportunity and we’re very happy for him. We’re also very excited to have Wade Linder back at Cumulus Minneapolis. Wade was an original architect of KQRS and KXXR. He’s a very strong Program Director and the right guy to lead the legendary KQRS. Welcome home, Wade!”
Before his arrival in Minneapolis three years ago, Kurdziel programmed Cumulus Alternative sibling WEDG (103.3 The Edge)/Buffalo, NY and served as RVP of Programming-Rock. Linder, who has programmed WLS-FM since 2018, earlier spent four years as PD of the legendary WLUP (The Loop)/Chicago. He’s certainly no stranger to the Twin Cities, having previously spent nearly two decades as PD of Cumulus Rock KXXR (93X).
