Roger Allen Goin’ Fishin’
• Getting ready to close the book on a successful 40-plus-year radio career, Roger Allen, Director of Programming for Cox Media Group Classic Hits KONO 101.1 FM and Oldies KONO-AM/San Antonio announced his desire to retire, effective Jan. 11, 2019.
“Roger Allen operates at the highest level of performance and is manager of a team that seems to defy gravity — a true testament to his industry knowledge, skills and leadership,” said Ben Reed, VP/GM for CMG San Antonio. “KONO is among the highest-rated brands and so much of this stations success can be attributed to Roger.”
It’s only fitting that Allen (pictured, left) started his radio career at KONO-AM in 1981, right out of high school, working in the research department and doing weekend overnights. Over the next 17 years, he went on to serve in a variety of roles at stations in San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Salt Lake City, including PD of KQDX-FM (Capital Broadcasting), OM/PD at Rusk Communications’ KHFI & KMXX/Austin, VP/Creative Director for The Ross Agency and Director of Programming for Citadel Country KUBL-FM/Salt Lake City. In 1998, Allen returned to San Antonio as PD of KONO-AM/FM. During his time with CMG, Allen was named as one of Radio Ink‘s “Best Program Directors” in 2011, while KONO-FM won the NAB Marconi Award for Classic Hits Station of the Year in 2015. Under Allen’s leadership, KONO was a finalist at the 2017 NAB Marconi Awards and the 2017 NAB Crystal Radio Awards.
“We have an exceptional team at KONO FM and AM — a group that delivers great content with passion and emotion,” said Allen. “It’s been a humbling experience serving the San Antonio community, the Cox family and our loyal listeners. Thank you to Ben Reed and our team for a memorable 20 years.”
• Concurrent with the news of Allen’s impending retirement, CMG has launched a nationwide search for a new Director of Programming for KONO-FM & AM. For more information about the gig, visit coxmediagroup.com/careers and also contact Operations Manager Jeff Garrison at Jeff.Garrison@coxinc.com.
