San Diego Radio: Ben Marcotte Named PD For KGB, KIOZ

iHeartMedia has named Ben Marcotte program director of active rock Rock 105.3 KIOZ and heritage classic rock 101.5 KGB-FM in San Diego. 

The appointment moves a 14-year company veteran into one of the country’s most storied rock clusters. Marcotte will oversee on-air programming as well as social and digital strategy for both stations and will report to iHeartMedia Executive Vice President of Programming Gene Romano. 

KGB-FM, which signed on in 1950 and became a pioneering album-oriented rock station in the early 1970s, remains San Diego’s long-running classic rock brand. Sister station KIOZ, branded Rock 105.3, carries an active rock format and has been a local rock fixture since the mid-1990s. Both are part of iHeartMedia’s San Diego cluster. 

Ben Marcotte

Marcotte arrives from Indianapolis and St. Louis, where he most recently served as senior vice president of programming. In Indianapolis he programmed classic rock Q95 WFBQ and classic alternative Indy 103.3 WOLT, including a stretch as afternoon host on WOLT after that station launched in 2020. He added Q95 programming duties in 2022 and was elevated to SVP for both markets in 2025. 

His earlier iHeart roles include program director of 96.5 JACK-FM KJAQ and Alt 102.9 KFOO in Seattle, plus programming work on Portland’s Radio 102.3 / Alt 102.3 and Spokane’s Alt 96.1. He joined the company in 2012 as assistant program director and music director in Spokane, where he also worked as a night jock, and earlier held production roles at WLS in Chicago. 

“Ben’s broad background in rock makes him a perfect fit,” Romano said. “He’s always curious and creative on how to keep up with listener’s always evolving tastes. He’ll bring some full volume fun with him to the west coast!”

“This felt like one of those opportunities you don’t overthink,” Marcotte said. “Two legendary stations, incredible teams, and a chance to do great radio in San Diego. Excited to get started.”