Philly Radio: Salem Media's Russ Whitnah Sets Retirement

Russ Witnah

Salem Media Group has announced that after 23 years at the helm in Philadelphia, Russ Whitnah has plans to retire as VP/GM at the end of the year.

Whitnah has been the "face" of Salem in Philly since Salem's entry into the market. Salem purchased WFIL 560 AM in late 1993 and Russ Whitnah took over as General Manager in January 1994. In August 1994 a second station WNTP 990 AM (the former WIBG Wibbage) was added to the cluster.

During those years Russ has built the Philadelphia team with a focused commitment to the mission of Salem, and the needs of the community. In 2004 he was promoted to Vice President, a mark of distinction for Salem General Managers.

Whitnah commented, "I look forward to passing the baton to the next generation of leadership in Philadelphia. Serving alongside my co-workers and our ministries for the past 23 years has been a tremendous joy and privilege. Working for Salem Media Group has been the most rewarding work experience of my life. The Salem leadership at the top levels of our company are without doubt the highest caliber professionals in the communications industry today."

Russ's broadcast career started in 1972 as a sales rep for the campus radio station while he was attending Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining Salem, he held sales positions at KMOD in Tulsa, OK and KTOK in Oklahoma City, and leadership positions in Colorado Springs, CO; Harrisburg, PA; and the QUAD Cities during a broadcast career spanning 44 years.

Dave Santrella, President of Salem's Broadcast Division commented: "Russ has been a 'pillar' for us in Philadelphia. You would be hard-pressed to find a pastor in the market that doesn't know and love Russ. He has personified the Salem mission day in and day out for many years. I'm excited that he will be able to devote more time to his wife Trish, his parents, and enjoying his children and 14 grandchildren."

A national search for Whitnah's successor is underway seeking both internal and external candidates. Salem Operational VP David Ruleman is heading up this search.