Bill Hess, WT Class of 1974

Bill launched his media career while a student at WTHS, serving as co-editor of the school newspaper and anchor of the weekly TV news show such as “Centennial News”.  He also donned a kilt and hawked programs for the school musical “Brigadoon” but that’s a different story.

Bill went on to host successful morning radio programs in several New England markets for 20 years before segueing into broadcast management.   He spent the next 28 years coaching and managing high profile on-air talent and building successful radio brands.

Demonstrating his belief that radio stations can be powerful tools to improve their communities, Bill anchored radiothons to raise funds for children’s cancer research through the “Jimmy Fund” as well as numerous food drives and other campaigns.

These efforts continued as Bill moved into management and to Washington DC, where he  led efforts which raised several hundred thousand dollars for children’s cancer and veteran’s support organizations.

• Bill moved to Washington DC in 2003 to serve as Program Director of legendary music radio stations, WASH-FM and WBIG-FM.

• He headed to New York City in 2008 for a two-year stint as Senior VP/Programming for the Air America national radio network, where he managed talent including Rachel Madow, Montel Williams and others.

• Returning to DC in 2010, Bill became Program Director of talk WMAL, where he remains today. 

• Bill also served as VP/NewsTalk for parent company Cumulus Media for __ years, overseeing nearly 50 talk radio stations across the country.

Bill has been named to America’s Top Program Directors lists more than a dozen times, and is most honored to join the William Tennent Hall of Fame.