Changes are ongoing at Lotus Communications Hot AC “Star 101.5” KPLZ Seattle.
Program Director/afternoon host Kent Phillips will depart at the end of the year after more than 35 years leading the station. Phillips joined then CHR “Z101.5” as PD/morning co-host in 1986 alongside Alan Budwill. The “Kent & Alan Show” would remain in place through the 1994 flip to Hot AC as “Star 101.5” until Budwill’s retirement at the end of 2018. Phillips at that point moved to afternoons with co-hosts ‘Super Jen’ Pirak and Marina Rockinger.
Phillips will be leaving KPLZ to join research and consulting firm FMR Associates as a partner. He also serves as President at his own TCCP Radio consultancy and is a co-owner of Eastlan Ratings.
Exiting KPLZ immediately is midday host Jill Taylor. Taylor has been with KPLZ since 1994. She has also worked at KMPS and KMGI in Seattle and multiple stations in Idaho.
KPLZ is currently in the midst of its annual run with Christmas music under its temporary “101.5 Santa-FM” branding.