Wausau Welcomes Two New Guys

• Duke Wright’s Midwest Communications, Inc. announces the hire of two key positions in its Wausau, WI region — let’s start in the corner office, where Milko Villarreal, Jr. has been named as VP/Market Manager for the five-station cluster — Country WDEZ, Top 40 WIFC, Rock WOZZ, News-Talk WSAU (99.9FM/550AM) and Sports-Talk WRIG (93.9 FM/1390 AM), starting Nov. 2. He succeeds longtime VP/Market Manager Brett Lucht, who tragically passed away in July.

Villarreal is a long-time broadcaster and group owner, a BLT graduate, and former NAB radio board member who has been a consultant with International Business & Marketing in Laredo, TX since 2012. “I’m thrilled to join Midwest,” says Villarreal. “The Wright family has a long-standing tradition of excellence in broadcasting. A heritage radio company who has embraced the new opportunities and challenges that digital content distribution and marketing offer. Ideologically, and operationally I believe we are a very good fit for one another, and look forward to making a positive contribution. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity with which Duke and Michael have presented me.” Duke Wright, Pres./CEO of Midwest Communications, stated, “We welcome Milko to the family and look forward to many successful and prosperous years to come. His passion and desire to win are a great fit for our already positive Wausau operation.”

• Down the hall, Rusty James makes his triumphant returns to the Midwest Communications family as the new Brand Manager for Top 40 WIFC, starting Monday, Oct. 12. He succeeds Nikki Montgomery who last month relinquished her stripes to become the new co-host of WIFC’s Kallaway on the Rise with Dave Kallaway.

James was most recently VP of Programming & Operations for Max Media in Norfolk/Virginia Beach. Prior to that, he spent 14 years as OM of Midwest’s four-station group in Evansville, IN. Midwest Communications’ VP of Programming Jeff McCarthy exclaimed, “It was a delight to work with Rusty when he was in Evansville. He’s a winner. We are fortunate to retain his talents once more.” James commented, “I’m very excited to come back to Duke Wright’s Midwest Communications, and I can’t wait to work with the veteran staff at WIFC!”