D-C Radio: WTOP Promotes Monqiue Hayes To AM News Director

On Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, WTOP News announced that Monique Hayes has been promoted to AM Broadcast News Director; Bill McFarland will be joining the WTOP team as its next PM Broadcast News Director; and Giang Nguyen will be joining WTOP as its next Digital News Director.

Monique Hayes has been making her mark on WTOP for two years, previously serving as WTOP’s Assignments Manager. Prior to WTOP, Monique was an assignment editor and content producer at NBC Washington. She has also worked at PBS NewsHour as an assignment editor.

“This is a great opportunity to help lead one of the best newsrooms in the area,” said Hayes. “I look forward to coaching and training future newsroom leaders and collaborating with our veteran journalists. I am excited to work with this new management team to deliver great local coverage of Washington, DC, and the surrounding communities.”

Bill McFarland has made his career in local television news working across many large markets including New York, DC, Philadelphia, Tampa and Boston. Most recently, McFarland served as an Assistant News Director overseeing NBC Boston, Telemundo Boston and New England Cable News. In addition to his broadcast responsibilities, he also oversaw digital content, podcasts and social media.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to come back to Washington to join the WTOP team,” McFarland said. “I’m excited to continue WTOP’s tradition of delivering news that informs, engages and empowers the people of the DMV.”

Giang Nguyen has made her career working in newsrooms at the local, national and international levels. She has worked at both radio and TV stations, and also has experience in podcasting and the private sector. Nguyen served as a multimedia reporter in local markets in Kansas (WIBW-TV) and Illinois (WQAD-TV). Nguyen has also worked at CNN, Radio Free Asia, NHK World and CCTV America in both reporter and assignment editor roles.

“I’m thrilled to be joining WTOP and to be part of a leading team of journalists that the region has relied on for the most up-to-date news, traffic and weather,” Nguyen said. “I can’t wait to get started and help provide our on-air and online audiences with the tools and information they need to better navigate their daily lives.”

Nguyen joins the WTOP team on Thursday, Aug. 10, while McFarland’s first day is Wednesday, Aug. 16.

“I am so excited to have the force of Monique, Giang and Bill behind our daily newsroom operations,” said Julie Ziegler, Director of News and Programming. “Having their combined talents on both the broadcast and digital sides is exactly what we need to meet our daily mission of delivering the most compelling content to our listeners and readers across all platforms.”