Alexander Named Orion’s Heir
• WGN Radio/Chicago reporter/anchor Steve Alexander will assume responsibilities from legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson beginning in January. As we previously reported, Samuelson (pictured below with Nexstar Media President, Networks Sean Compton), is retiring on December 31 after a remarkable 60+ years with WGN.
The announcement of Alexander (left) makes perfect sense — since joining WGN Radio in 2007, he has anchored newscasts, filled in for Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong, and has produced and hosted Farming America, a daily three-minute agriculture show.
WGN Radio VP/GM Mary Sandberg Boyle said, “In the past 60 years with Orion Samuelson at the helm, WGN has been committed to supporting, educating, and reporting agribusiness news to our listeners. That commitment continues because we are fortunate to have Steve Alexander take over for Orion. For more than a decade, Steve has been Orion’s understudy and has an incredible depth of knowledge, ensuring our station’s dedication to covering the world’s largest industry: agriculture.”
Samuelson remarked, “Steve Alexander is the best choice to cover agriculture stories and reports. Steve grew up on a farm and has the knowledge to know what is important to our audience of farmers, food producers and consumers. I’m delighted that he’s available to continue the WGN tradition of serving this most important audience.” Alexander commented, “When I’ve filled in for Orion over the past 12 years, I’ve often joked that he gave me the key to the tractor, and I was able to keep it out of the ditch until he returned. Come next month, I’ll try to keep the tractor upright and continue Orion’s efforts to explain how important agriculture is to all of us.”
• Orion Samuelson will be profiled Friday night on WGN America’s Hometown Heroes, as he’s interviewed by Bob Sirott on NewsNation, tonight in the 9:30pm CT half hour.
