Melbourne FL Radio: Gary Mertins Named Cumulus VP/MM

Gary Mertins

Cumulus Media announces that it has appointed 36-year radio broadcast veteran Gary Mertins as Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus’ four-station cluster in Melbourne, FL.

Mertins joins Cumulus from West Virginia Radio Corporation, where he served as Market Manager for the company’s four-station group in Morgantown, WV, since 2005. In addition to his market management duties, Mertins also served as Director of Sales. Under Mertins’ leadership, WVAQ-FM won five NAB Marconi awards including CHR Station of the Year twice and Small Market Station of the Year.

Mertins holds a B.S. degree in Broadcast Journalism from West Virginia University and began his career in programming before joining the sales team shortly after college. He previously served as General Manager of WCHS and WKWS in Charleston, WV, and as Sales Manager of the West Virginia Metronews Radio Network. He was also General Manager of WPCM-FM and WBBB-AM in Burlington, NC, for Curtis Media Group.

Pete DeSimone, Regional Vice President for Cumulus said: “I am thrilled Gary is joining Cumulus as Melbourne’s new Vice President/Market Manager. Gary is a great example of the level of leadership we continue to attract to Cumulus. Gary’s years of experience and success running a similarly-formatted cluster for West Virginia Radio Corporation make this a natural fit for Gary and the Melbourne market.”

Mertins said: "I am extremely excited about joining the Cumulus team in Florida. I am impressed with what this group of radio stations has to offer its listeners and advertising customers. Melbourne has a vibrant business community and I can't think of a better place to live and work. I want to thank Lew Dickey, Gary Pizzati and Pete DeSimone for this opportunity. The Cumulus stations in Melbourne have such a great heritage and I can't wait to get started."