Top exec shakeup at Hubbard Radio Chicago

John Gallagher

John Gallagher

Longtime radio executive John Gallagher is out after two years as vice president and market manager of Hubbard Radio Chicago, where he oversaw hot adult-contemporary WTMX FM 101.9, classic rock WDRV FM 97.1 and adult contemporary WSHE FM 100.3.

Drew Horowitz, president and chief operating officer of Hubbard Radio, cited performance issues for the move Monday. “We were not hitting the metrics that we needed to hit both in ratings and revenue,” Horowitz said. “We wish John only the best in his future endeavors.”

Gallagher did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Until a replacement is named, Dave Bestler, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hubbard Radio, will served as acting market manager, according to Horowitz.

Gallagher, 57, joined Hubbard Radio in 2014 from Cumulus Media, where he was regional vice president and market manager in Appleton/Oshkosh and Green Bay, Wisconsin. He previously headed Cumulus Media stations in Toledo, Ohio, and Kansas City, Missouri.

From 2004 to 2008, Gallagher was president and general manager of news/talk WLS AM 890, first under ABC Radio ownership and then under Citadel Broadcasting. For part of the time he also ran former Radio Disney outlet WRDZ AM 1300 and former oldies WZZN (now WLS FM 94.7).

A New Jersey native and Villanova University graduate, Gallagher began his career in Detroit at WJR, where he rose to director of sales. He returned to Detroit in 2008 where he served briefly as market manager for Greater Media Inc.

Gallagher’s exit is the latest high-profile departure from Hubbard Radio. In May the company forced out Greg Solk as senior vice president of programming and operations.