Detroit Radio: Vet Tom Bender Announces Retirement

Ton Bender

Senior Vice President and General Manager of Greater Media Interactive Tom Bender has announced he will be retiring from the company at the end of June after nearly three decades of service.

“I am grateful to Peter Smyth for allowing me to lead our digital initiative for the past six years as we worked to conquer the digital challenges to radio,” said Bender. “He has been a friend as well as a great boss. I was privileged to work in my hometown with a wonderful group of people who created WCSX-FM and built upon the 45 year heritage of WRIF, where I began my career. Greater Media is an extraordinary company and I thank them for a creative and innovative culture in which to work. Now it’s time for a new chapter in my life!”

“Tom has been a great friend who has played a major role in the success of our Detroit market as well as the overall company,” said Greater Media Chairman and CEO Peter Smyth. “We feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of his radio legacy. We wish Tom the very best in his retirement.”

Bender was named Senior Vice President & General Manager of Greater Media Interactive in November 2007. In his role, he was in charge of spearheading Greater Media’s interactive efforts as well as building company-wide systems and resources. Prior to that, Bender served as Regional General Manager of Greater Media’s Detroit-based operation since November of 1986, where he was responsible for creating one of the first “Classic Rock” stations in America, WCSX-FM.

A mentor to countless broadcasters over the years, the radio veteran has served on a variety of industry committees, including the Arbitron Advisory Council, the NAB’s COLRAM committee and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Radio Issues Committee. He was also the first market manager in America to launch the HD Digital Radio initiative with RIFF2 in August of 2005.

Bender was officially inducted into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in July of 2007.

Steve Meyers, Greater Media’s Director of Digital Operations, will assume strategic management of the company’s digital efforts, and Jennifer Williams, Digital Marketing Director, will continue to direct the company’s Content Factory in Detroit.