Mark Zander

Saying he missed being on the air, Chicago radio veteran Mark Zander is stepping down as program director of Weigel Broadcasting’s soft rock/oldies WRME FM 87.7 to join Hubbard Radio classic hits WDRV FM 97.1 as weekend and fill-in personality.

“I know everybody on The Drive and I’ve worked with everybody on The Drive,” Zander said Thursday. “So it kind of feels like I’m coming back to a very familiar place.”

Zander, who is expected to continue consulting for Weigel Broadcasting during the transition, helped launch the radio station earlier this year and was officially named program director when it was rebranded as Me-TV FM in February. Within four months, the format more than tripled the audience share it had under Tribune Media management.

Zander, who real name is Mark Holoubek, previously was program director of west suburban rock stations WERV FM 95.9 and WRXQ FM 100.7, and former host and producer of two nationally syndicated shows, “The Rockin’ 80′s” and “The Rockin’ 70′s.” He also held on-air roles at WLUP FM 97.9 and the former WRCX, WCKG and WZZN.

“We’re excited to add yet another Chicago market vet to The Drive’s on-air lineup,” said program director Curtiss Johnson. Zander starts on the air next weekend.