Thomas Named Brand Manager, Beasley Tampa
• Beasley Media Group has named Rick Thomas as Brand Manager of the company’s Tampa Bay radio group and PD of Country 99.5 WQYK.
Thomas segues from SummitMedia, where for the past two years he has served as National Format Leader and PD of Top 40 WWST (Star 102.1)/Knoxville, preceded by a stint as VP of Programming for Max Media Denver. The new Beasley gig also marks a return to the Tampa Bay market for Thomas, who earlier served as OM of Cox Media Group’s cluster. His extensive programming portfolio also includes WBMP/New York, KRTH & KTWV/Los Angeles, KYLD/San Francisco, KSFM/Sacramento, XHRM/San Diego, plus three tours of duty at XHTZ/San Diego and a four-year run with Ohana Broadcasting Honolulu.
“After an extensive nationwide search, it’s a pleasure to welcome Rick to the Beasley Tampa team,” said Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase. “With Rick’s track record of success and experience in Tampa, not to mention the positive history he has with our Market Manager [Ron DeCastro], I believe QYK is in good hands.”
Thomas said, “Having an opportunity to return to Tampa, make a difference for a company I’ve greatly admired and reunite with my New York City partner, Ron DeCastro, is a dream come true. I’m thrilled to curate and lead the legendary 995 QYK into the future. We have amazing talent in the building, and I’m super excited to be a resource to them and help grow our cluster.”
VP/Market Manager Ron DeCastro noted, “I’m excited to once again get the chance to work with Rick Thomas. Rick is one of the best Programming minds and a culture-builder and I look forward to teaming up again with him in Tampa.”
• In addition to WQYK, Beasley Tampa also include Rhythmic WLLD (WiLD 94.1), Classic Hits WRBQ (Q105), Classic Rock WPBB (98.7 The Shark), Latin Pop WYUU (92.5 Maxima), and News-Talk 1010 WHFS-AM.
