John Candelaria has exited as Program Director of Sierra H Broadcasting Classic Hip Hop “101 The Bounce” KZCE Cordes Lakes and Rhythmic Oldies “Mega 104.3 Jamz” KAJM Camp Verde AZ.
Candelaria joined the two Phoenix stations in November 2020 and spearheaded the flip of Hip Hop “101.1 The Beat” KNRJ into “The Bounce” in April 2021.
Candelaria began his career with a 16 year run at “Power 102” KPRR El Paso TX where he rose from weekend host to a 10 year stint as Program Director including time as a Regional PD for Clear Channel West Texas. In 2002 he moved to Radio One Dallas as Operations Manager and PD for a decade before joining Beasley Media as OM/PD for Las Vegas market Rhythmic AC “Old School 105.7” KOAS and Hot AC “Star 107.9” KVGS. Candelaria then moved to Beasley Detroit in 2018 as OM/PD of Classic Hip-Hop “105.1 The Bounce” WMGC, Adult R&B “105.9 Kiss-FM” WDMK and Gospel “Detroit Praise Network” until stepping down in March 2020. Candelaria has also served as Urban Format Captain for Beasley and runs his own consultancy.
John Candelaria exits Sierra H’s KZCE and KAJM in Phoenix after a successful 3 year run.
Candelaria thanks his team first and foremost. “It’s been an incredible ride since 2020. The amazing staff at KZCE accomplished great results. I am grateful to Owner Ken Brentlinger and GM Paul Holton. Both gave me the opportunity to build the Bounce, back the vision, and never concede to the big boys. We were able to take KZCE to record breaking numbers, including moving KZCE from the 23rd rank station with Persons 25 to 54 to top 7, top 5 18-49, and top 3 with Persons 18 to 34, and a 4.1 share of the market 6+, on a inferior signal.” Hey, we even, conceived and executed the greatest concert in the history of the company with a sold-out crowd of over 12,500 attending the Bounce Birthday Bash concert starring Ice Cube in April.
“I have learned a great deal at Sierra H and I’m better equipped for my next challenge. I have the passion, experience, ppm knowledge, strategy, innovative tactics, and event marketing skills to contribute something substantive and special with my new radio home.”
Prior to working in Phoenix, Candelaria has worked in Detroit, Las Vegas, Dallas, and El Paso overseeing a variety of formats including Urban, Urban AC, Rhythm, Classic Hits, Hot AC, and Country. John has been a programming consultant for Urban radio for 3 years.
John can be reached at Johncandelaria1313@gmail.com or 702-701-3408.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com