Jim McKernan is returning to Omaha to become the general manager of NRG Media's seven Omaha radio stations.
No stranger to Omaha, McKernan's experience includes management stints at KPTM, the Journal Broadcast Group and KMTV. He returns to the city after a year as general manager of St. Louis radio stations KEZK-FM and KYKY-FM (CBS) in St. Louis
"I am very excited to join the team of broadcast professionals with NRG Media in Omaha," McKernan said in a press release Tuesday. "Their portfolio of radio stations is impressive. I am looking forward to help take the group to the next level of performance with listeners, advertisers and the community as a whole."
Known to KEZO (92.3 FM) listeners as "General Jim," McKernan served as Vice President and General Manager of the Journal Broadcast Group from 1996 to 2001. He left in March of 2001 to become Director of Sales at KMTV before ascending to the title of vice president and general manager of the CBS affiliate in April of 2002.
"I am thrilled to have someone of Jim's caliber joining NRG Media", said Chuck DuCoty, Chief Operating Officer of NRG Media. "When the Omaha opening occurred, our 'non-negotiables' included someone who was not afraid to make tough decisions, cluster management experience, integrity, an exceptional team-builder and a good communicator. In the end, we were not only describing what we were looking for, we were describing Jim McKernan."
McKernan is a former Director of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and has served on the Omaha Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross boards. He is past President of the Arthritis Foundation of Nebraska and the Radio Association of Omaha and Television Association of Omaha.
NRG Media's Omaha stations are KLTQ (101.9 FM), KOIL (1020 AM), KKAR (1290 AM), KOZN (1620 AM), KYDQ (1180 AM), KQKQ (98.5 FM) and KCTY (106.9 FM).
