Promotion & Retirement @ Entercom Sacramento
• Entercom Sacramento shared two pieces of news — one regarding a promotion, and the other, an impending retirement. Let’s start on Rhythmic KSFM, where night jock DJ Squintz has been promoted to Music Director. The news of Squintz’ upgrade follows the news that KSFM Brand Manager Michael “Big Mic” Buhrman was annexing PD duties for Top 40 clustermate KUDL (106.5 The End).
“Squintz has been a tremendous asset on KSFM for the last five years,” said Stacey Kauffman, SVP/Market Manager, Entercom Sacramento. “His teamwork, attitude and talent are all reasons it’s a pleasure to internally promote him to the well-earned role of Music Director for KSFM.” Prior to joining KSFM, Squintz spent eight years at Cumulus Rhythmic KWIN/Stockton, CA.
“I’m extremely blessed and thankful to be able to continue to do my part to contribute to the success of a station that I have listened to my whole life, as I am embedded in KSFM and the culture here,” Squintz said. “I’m further grateful to my Brand Manager, Michael Buhrman, for seeing the ability and drive in me. And I thank Stacey Kauffman and Operations Manager Joe Calgaro for this tremendous opportunity.”
• Across the hall on Classic Rock KSEG (96.9 The Eagle), morning host Charlie Thomas announced his retirement after 36 years. In a staff memo, Stacey Kauffman said, “There is simply no way to properly acknowledge 36 years of dedication and success on one station — the last 23 of which Charlie Thomas has given to Entercom Sacramento. In his well-deserved retirement, he leaves behind a truly indelible mark, not only on this company and our industry as a whole, but most importantly, on the people of Sacramento. He is so much more than a top-tier broadcaster — he’s a top-tier human being. He has a true gift for making that special connection with his audience and will be remembered fondly by all who were fortunate enough to experience that connection first-hand.”
Thomas (pictured now and then), said, “When I moved to Sacramento 36 years ago, I thought it was a stepping stone to the ‘Big Time.’ Didn’t take long to realize it would become my home. I’m proud to have become a part of this community… served up a rockin’ soundtrack for its residents and in some measure helped to provide a voice for them.” He added, “Radio is about one-to-one connection, and that mission continues, though the tools have changed. When I started, we were cueing up vinyl records on turntables, and editing tape with razor blades on reel-to-reel decks… where’s my grease pencil??
In closing, Thomas said, “It’s been quite a journey, staying in the same place. I’ve met a number of incredible and talented people along the way – too many to mention, and thank…and a *few* weasels as well! Definitely want to give props to my Eagle folks and my fellow staff in the early days of 93 Rock. It’s been a privilege to work beside you and a pleasure to be with Entercom these last 23 years. As I hang up the headphones, I look forward to exploring more of the world outside the studio walls, and listening to 96.9 The Eagle as a civilian now. Oh, and I WILL be sleeping past dark-thirty every day.”