Milwaukee Radio: After 40-Years, Jane Matenaer Exits WTMJ

Jane Matenaer

Jane Matenaer, who has been a major presence on Milwaukee morning radio shows for nearly four decades, worked her last day Friday at WTMJ 620 AM and told the Milwaukee Business Journal she’s not planning to retire.

Matenaer discussed her departure on the air Friday during “Wisconsin’s Morning News” with Vince Vitrano. She expressed her gratitude for the station’s news staff including their generosity.

“It’s been a wonderful, wonderful experience,” Matenaer told the Business Journal.

Matenaer had co-hosted the 620 TMJ morning show with Gene Mueller for about six years until Mueller’s retirement in February. Since then, she has filled in as a show host and anchored news reports with the last one at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Steve Wexler, the vice president and market manager of Good Karma Brands’ Milwaukee radio stations, said Friday that Matenaer “let us know that she felt it was time to move on.”

“She has been an important contributor to WTMJ for seven years and a welcome voice in Milwaukee radio for over 40 years,” Wexler said via email. “We are so appreciative of her work, including reporting, anchoring and hosting.”

Matenaer, 62, has been one of the leading Milwaukee morning show personalities since her 25-year stint at WMYX-FM (99.1) that ended in May 2009. She followed that with about five years at WDLB-FM (93.3) before joining WTMJ radio in 2015 and being named as Mueller’s co-host in December 2015.

As for her next move, Matenaer said she’s “looking at some options” but had no specific information to share other than that it will be in the media industry.