The Bell Tolls For WLUM & WLDB Staff
• Earlier this week we shared the surprising news that K-Love Inc., which operates the Christian K-Love and Air 1 networks has filed to purchase heritage Alternative WLUM (FM 102.1) and AC WLDB (B93.3)/Milwaukee from the Milwaukee Radio Alliance (MRA).
RAMP connected with Michelle Rutkowski, VP of Programming & Operations for WLUM, WLDB, Country FroggyMKE, and Oldies WZTI-AM (FONZ 1290), a 19-year company veteran, who caught us up on the rapidly unfolding timeline of this transaction: “Most of the staff’s last day will be Friday,” she tells RAMP. “Myself and a few others will remain until the sale is complete, likely late Sept./early Oct. In the space between, we hope to bring in some old friends and familiar faces to bid farewell to these iconic brands.”
After beginning her career at WKQX (Q101) and WLUP (The Loop) in her hometown of Chicago in 2002, Rutkowski (left) moved to Milwaukee in 2006 to become the nighttime personality for WLUM when the station was re-launched as FM102/1 Independent. Alternative. Radio. She was named MD of FM 102/1 in 2010, upped to PD in 2014, and named OM of the cluster in 2017. She was elevated to her current role as VP of Programming & Ops last year.
“I’m heartbroken, but at the same time, I am bursting with pride and gratitude for this team and everything they’ve accomplished,” Rutkowski said. “We pulled off things that small independent stations like ours shouldn’t be able to, because we all love these brands and this city so much-and this city loved us right back.”
She added, “It was a truly special ride; one I could never in a million years have expected when I arrived as a 24-year-old kid who just hoping to tell some jokes and play good music. I’m so grateful to Jacent Jackson for giving me that shot, and to the Davis family for entrusting me with their family legacy over these last 19 years.”
Rutkowski is pursuing her next adventure and can be reached at Michelle.Rutkowski@gmail.com.
Fellow MRA employees now also looking for their next great opportunity include:
Operations Manager Gordon Mays (gordon.mays@gmail.com).
Air Talent: Joe Krauss (average.joeradio123@gmail.com) • Julie Davidson (info@bison-media-group.com) • Rick Ehlert (VO@gmail.com)
Traffic/Business Managers: Hannah Wilson (mccarthy_h@me.com) • Melissa Madsen (Mel.madsen82@gmail.com)
Marketing/Promotions: Brady Jager (bradygjager@gmail.com) • Emily Kurszewski
Sales: Donna Kern (Kernski1999@gmail.com) • Dalilah Hutchinson (dalilahhutchinson@gmail.com) • Kathryn Schmid (katallenton@aol.com)
