Whittle Upped To Cumulus VP/Hot AC

• Cumulus Media has promoted programming pro Leslie Whittle to Vice President, Hot AC Formats. In this new role, Whittle will serve as a corporate programming resource for the company’s Hot AC stations across the country while retaining her longtime position as Program Director of heritage Top 40 KRBE/Houston.

Brian Philips, EVP of Content and Audience, Cumulus Media, said, “With great strategy and spirit, Leslie has built a Cumulus CHR powerhouse in Houston. She understands all nuances of contemporary music radio, and we are fortunate to enlist her as VP of our Hot AC formats. Her name has hit every list of the ‘Best PDs in America,’ and we are glad to spread Leslie’s brainpower and influence through our important Hot AC stations.”

Whittle started her radio career at KHFI/Austin, where she ultimately rose to Program Director. She joined KRBE as APD in 2000 and was upped to PD in 2006. Over that time, Whittle has been honored for her work with awards, including an NAB Marconi Award for CHR Station of the Year in 2017 and The Conclave’s Major Market Station of the Year in 2018.

Whittle remarked, “I’m honored to have this opportunity and look forward to working with these amazing programmers and their teams, along with the talented people at Westwood One. A huge ‘thank you’ to Brian Philips for believing I have what it takes to succeed in this new role, and to Mike McVay for his guidance over the years. Also, a big high five to our team here at KRBE, led by Alex Cadelago and Dan Bennett for allowing me to take on these additional duties as we continue to do great things in Houston!”