Michaels Named OM Of SMG Rochester

• Last week we told you that Mike McCoy was stepping down as Operations Manager of Stephens Media Group’s Rochester, NY trio and relocating to Arizona for family reasons – late yesterday the company named Craig Michaels as McCoy’s successor, effective Nov. 1. Michaels will also serve as PD for AC WRMM (Warm 101.3) and Adult Hits WFKL (Fickle 93.3). The cluster’s third station, Alternative WZNE (94.1 The Zone) is under the command of SMG Alt/Rock format captain Josh Venable.

McCoy will assist with the transition through the end of the year. “Mike McCoy is a total pro and someone I have known and respected for decades and I am sorry to see him leave, but I understand the importance of family,” said SMG SVP of Programming Bob Thornton. “He’s made a big impact on the Rochester cluster and we’re grateful for his assistance as we move into a new phase.”

Michaels, who brings previous experience in Philadelphia, Ontario, and Akron with Townsquare and iHeartMedia, said, “I’m thrilled to be joining the Stephens Media Group team in Rochester. SMG’s Rochester brands are embedded in the fabric of the community, and I look forward to working with GM Mike Ninnie, Western New York mainstay Tony Infantino, and the rest of the team to continue that tradition. The chance to work with Mike McCoy during the transition is an experience I’m really looking forward to, and I appreciate him staying on for a time to pass the baton. Thanks to Bob Thornton, and Mike Ninnie for the opportunity. I’m excited to be arriving in Western New York just in time to cheer on a Bills Super Bowl season.”