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This Page Last Updated: Thursday 28 February 2019

The Essentials

Call Letters: WGBJ
Frequency: 102.3fm
City of License: Auburn
Metro(s): Fort Wayne
Power: 6000 watts @ 315 feet (Class A)
Format: Alternative
Address:
Phone:
Ownership:
Web Presence:

Station Personnel

Current

President: George Kotsopoulos
VP: Robert J. Britt
Director: John Henry
Chief Engineer: Greg Case

Former

WDKB-FM (105.5fm)

President/GM: Wayne H. Paradise (Deceased 9 September 2013)
Chief Engineer: John Ober
PD: Jerry Clark
MD: Bob Richards
ND: Bill Rump
Production Director: Jerry Clark
Promotions Director: Jerry Clark

WGTB-FM

President & Chief Engineer: Wayne H. Paradise (Deceased 9 September 2013)
GM: Dennis Hackett (1994 - ?)
PD: John Vance
News Director: Phil Haberkorn

WIFF-FM

Owner: Wayne H. Paradise (Deceased 9 September 2013)
Owner: Frank Kovas (Deceased 29 January 2005)
GM: Dennis Hackett
GM: Connie Kovas
Chief Engineer: John Ober
Chief Engineer: Wayne Paradise (Deceased 9 September 2013)
GSM: Ed Water
PD: Jerry Clark
PD: Scott Kinzie (From MD)
MD: Sue Thompson
MD: Bob Richards
News Director: Bill Rump
News Director: Phil Haberkorn
Production Director: Jerry Clark
Promotions Director: Jerry Clark
Promotions Director: Brian Pickering
Mornings: Frank Smith (October 1992 - March 1997)
Airstaff: Laura Robinson

WGLL-FM

WGL-FM

WCKZ-FM

WEJE-FM

Owner: Frank Kovas (Deceased 29 January 2005)
VP/GM: John Sloan (January 1997 - ?)
GM/GSM: Palmer Pyle (? - March 1998)
GM: Bill Collins
GM: Connie Kovas
GSM: Brett Rump
SM: Dick O'Day (Now with Artistic Media Partners in South Bend)
SM: Nancy Cunningham (March 1998 - ?)
OM: Dave Lang (? - March 1998)
OM: Mary Clements
VP/Programming: Brian Michel (August 2000 - February 20, 2001) (From WPTE in Norfolk, Virginia)
OM/PD: Sean Smyth (PD: October 1995 - ?; OM: March 1997 - ?) (Now out of radio)
OM/PD: Weasel (September 1995 - February 1999)
OM/PD: Bob Shannon (March 2001 - April 2001)
PD: Kyle Guderian (September 1998 - April 2000; PD: February 1999 - April 2000) (From PD at WQBF in LaCrosse, Wisconsin) (Now Director of Marketing for the Emmis Communications' radio stations in St. Louis, Missouri)
PD: Phil Grosch (PD: April 2000 - May 19, 2000, MD before that) (Now with Emmis Communications in Chicago, Illinois)
PD/MD: J.J. Fabini (PD: May, 19, 2000 - September 2001, MD: Feburary 1999 - September 2001, Production Director: July 1999 - April 2000) (Now OM/middays at WXKE)
APD: Jamie Marchiori (September 1995 - August 1998) (Now with Emmis Communications in Chicago, Illinois)
Production Director: Jamie Marchiori (September 1995 - August 1998) (Now with Emmis Communications in Chicago, Illinois)
Production Director: Scott Kolesar (March 1998 - December 1998)
Production Director: Brian Michel (October 1998 - February 20, 2001) (From WPTE in Norfolk, Virginia)
Production Director: Roxanne McVay (March 2001 - March 2001) (Deceased 8 December 2007)
Promotions Director: Courtney Heiser (? - March 2001) (Now out of radio)
Mornings: Scott McGlasson (6am - 10am) (October 2000 - September 2001) (From WTAO in Murphysboro, Illinois)
Mornings: Mancow Muller (Syndicated from WRCX in Chicago, Illinois) (March 3, 1997 - March 2, 1998)
Mornings: Chad Silvieus (Middays: March 1998 - August 1998; Mornings: August 1998 - August 2000) (Now out of radio)
Mornings: Mac (Now nights at WCHZ in Augusta, Georgia)
Mornings: Joel Hoffman (October 2001 - September 2001)
Middays: Deb Mills
Middays: Susan Harley (October 1996 - ?) (Afternoons before that)
Middays: Jen Longawa ("Jen X.") (? - March 1998)
Middays: Michael Dean (September 18, 2000 - March 2001; Afternoons: May 22, 2000 - September 18, 2000; Nights: March 2, 1998 - May 19, 2000; Mornings: October 1996 - March 1997) (Now middays at KLAZ in Hot Springs, Arkansas)
Afternoons: Sean Smyth (December 1995 - January 1997) (Now out of radio)
Afternoons: Jamie Marchiori (September 1995 - August 1998) (middays, and mornings before that) (Now with Emmis Communications in Chicago, Illinois)
Afternoons: Doug Dingler ("Doug St. John") (? - January 1998) (Now out of radio)
Afternoons: Phil Grosch (? - May 19, 2000) (Now with Emmis Communications in Chicago, Illinois)
Afternoons: Moe (3pm - 8pm) (October 2000 - ?) (From WRWK in Toledo, Ohio)
Nights: LovePhones (10pm - 12am?) (October 1996 - ?)
Nights: Matt Goshert (Middays: April 2000 - May 19, 2000; Nights: May 22, 2000 - September 2001)
Nights: Weasel (December 1995 - February 1999)

WXTW-FM

Owner: Frank Kovas (Deceased 29 January 2005)
President/CEO: Lloyd Roach (July 18, 2006 - ?)
President/CEO: Kristine Foate (May 2004 - July 18, 2006) (From VP/GM of the Illini Radio Group in Champaign, Illinois)
GM: George Hays (November 2001 - ?) (From GSM at WFWI)
GM: Connie Kovas
Director of Sales: David Wisniewski (September 2004 - February 2006) (Now Director of Sales for the Zimmer Radio Group of stations in Columbia, Missouri) (From Station Manager at Artistic Media Partners in South Bend)
GSM: Vori Dhabolt (? - July 18, 2006) (Now GSM at WERK-FM, WHBU, WMQX and WMXQ)
SM: Rob Livergood (July 18, 2006 - ?)
VP/Programming: Brian Michel (August 2000 - February 20, 2001; PD: February 1999 - August 2000) (From WPTE in Norfolk, Virginia) (Now OM/PD at KUDD and KUUU in Salt Lake City, Utah)
VP/Programming: Roy Jaynes (March 2001 - March 2001) (From the Cumulus stations in Chattanooga, Tennessee) (NOw PD at WDZQ and WSOY in Decatur, Illinois)
Director of Programming: Bill Stewart (September 13, 2004 - July 18, 2006) (From GM at KIWR in Omaha, Nebraska) (Now VP/GM of the Meredith Communications' stations in Atlantic, Iowa)
Assistant Director of Programming: J.J. Fabini (January 2005 - ?) (Also middays at WCKZ)
OM: Jack Holliday (? - February 1, 2002)
OM/PD: Bob Shannon (March 2001 - April 2001)
PD: BJ Steele (Now late nights at WNHT)
APD/MD: Mike Thomas (February 2000 - February 20, 2001) (From MD/nights at WYOK in Mobile, Alabama) (Now nights as "Jagger" at WKTU in New York, New York.)
APD/MD: Sammy Suarez (January 2001 - March 2001) (Now PD at WMXZ in Charleston, South Carolina)
APD/MD: John Fox
PD/MD: Bobby Corona (March 2001 - April 2001) (From KMRK in Midland, Texas)
Promotions Director: Courtney Heiser (? - March 2001) (Now out of radio)
Promotions Director: Deb Washler (Now out of radio)
Director of Creative Services: Mathew Albro (May 2005 - ?) (From Production and Operations Manager for Bacon's Broadcast Monitoring)
Production Director: Roxanne McVay (March 2001 - March 2001) (Deceased 8 December 2007)
Newsperson: Rod Tanner
Mornings: Justin Gettys (January 1999 - October 1999) (Now out of radio)
Mornings: Phlash Phelps (July 18, 2000 - August 18, 2000) (Now with XM Satellite Radio in Washington, DC)
Mornings: Trip (July 18, 2000 - August 25, 2000) (Now out of radio)
Mornings: Mike Thomas (? - November 2000; Nights: February 2000 - ? and November 2000 - February 20, 2001) (From MD/nights at WYOK in Mobile, Alabama) (Now nights as "Jagger" at WKTU in New York, New York.)
Mornings: Nate Dogg (6am - 10am) (January 2000 - March 2001) (Now out of radio)
Mornings: Doc West (Now mornings at WXKE)
Mornings: Mo (Now mornings at WDJQ in Canton, Ohio)
Mornings: Leslie Stone (Now mornings at WXKE)
Mornings: J.J. Fabini ("The Morning X") (Now MD/middays at WXKE)
Mornings: Jack Hammer
Mornings: Buster Meyer
Mornings: Joel Hoffman (October 2001 - ?)
Middays: Laureen
Middays: Amy Ryan (March 1999 - July 1999)
Middays: Shane Teach (July 1999 - October 1999) (Now weekends at WJFX)
Middays: Brian Michel (10am - 2pm) (March 1999 - February 20, 2001) (From WPTE in Norfolk, Virginia)
Afternoons: Sammy Suarez (2pm - 6pm) (March 2000 - March 2001) (Now PD at WMXZ in Charleston, South Carolina)
Afternoons: Don Walker (Now PD at WFNR in Blacksburg, Virginia)
Nights: Jo Valentine (OM: October 1999 - February 2000; MD: May 1999 - February 2000; Nights: March 1999 - February 2000) (From nights at WJET in Erie, Pennsylvania) (Now nights, via voicetrack, at WYSX in Ogdensburg, New York)
Nights: "Wiley Coyote"
Nights: Brian Van Bokkelen ("Van") (Now Production Director at Backyard Broadcasting in Muncie and afternoons, as "Brian Van" on WLBC)
Nights: Jason Lee (Now Production Director/nights at WXKE)
Overnights: Matt Goshert ("Matt Jericho") (Middays: April 2000 - May 19, 2000; Nights: May 22, 2000 - ?)
Weekends: Aaron Bone
Weekends: Trisha Cole

WCKZ-FM

Owner: Frank Kovas (Deceased 29 January 2005)
President/CEO: Lloyd Roach (July 18, 2006 - ?)
President/CEO: Kristine Foate (May 2004 - July 18, 2006) (From VP/GM of the Illini Radio Group in Champaign, Illinois)
GM: George Hays (November 2001 - ?) (From GSM at WFWI)
GM: Connie Kovas
Director of Sales: David Wisniewski (September 2004 - February 2006) (Now Director of Sales for the Zimmer Radio Group of stations in Columbia, Missouri) (From Station Manager at Artistic Media Partners in South Bend)
GSM: Vori Dhabolt (? - July 18, 2006) (Now SM at WSPY in Plano, Illinois)
SM: Rob Livergood (July 18, 2006 - ?)
VP/Programming: Brian Michel (August 2000 - February 20, 2001; PD: February 1999 - August 2000) (From WPTE in Norfolk, Virginia)
VP/Programming: Roy Jaynes (March 2001 - March 2001) (From the Cumulus stations in Chattanooga, Tennessee) (Now PD at WDZQ and WSOY in Decatur, Illinois)
Director of Programming: Bill Stewart (September 13, 2004 - July 18, 2006) (From GM at KIWR in Omaha, Nebraska) (Now VP/GM of the Meredith Communications' stations in Atlantic, Iowa)
Assistant Director of Programming: J.J. Fabini (January 2005 - ?) (Also middays at WCKZ)
OM: "Weasel" (January 1999 - February 1999) (Now PD/mornings at WPIA in the Peoria, Illinois market)
OM: Jack Holliday (? - February 1, 2002)
OM/PD: Bob Shannon (March 2001 - April 2001)
PD: BJ Steele (Now late nights at WNHT)
PD: Doc West (Now mornings at WXKE)
APD/MD: Mike Thomas (February 2000 - February 20, 2001) (From MD/nights at WYOK in Mobile, Alabama) (Now nights as "Jagger" at WKTU in New York, New York.)
APD/MD: Sammy Suarez (January 2001 - March 2001) (Now PD at WMXZ in Charleston, South Carolina)
APD/MD: John Fox
PD/MD: Bobby Corona (March 2001 - April 2001) (From KMRK in Midland, Texas)
Promotions Director: Courtney Heiser (? - March 2001)
Promotions Director: Deb Washler (Now out of radio)
Director of Creative Services: Mathew Albro (May 2005 - ?) (From Production and Operations Manager for Bacon's Broadcast Monitoring)
Production Director: Roxanne McVay (March 2001 - March 2001) (Deceased 8 December 2007)
Newsperson: Rod Tanner
Mornings: Jeff Moore (September 2, 2001 - June 2, 2004) (Now Production Director for WAJI/WLDE)
Mornings: Jack Holliday (? - February 1, 2002)
Mornings: Tom Joyner (Trisha Cole was the local producer)
Mornings: Justin Gettys (January 1999 - October 1999) (Now out of radio)
Mornings: Phlash Phelps (July 18, 2000 - August 18, 2000) (Now with XM Satellite Radio in Washington, DC)
Mornings: Trip (July 18, 2000 - August 25, 2000) (Now out of radio)
Mornings: Mike Thomas (? - November 2000; Nights: February 2000 - ? and November 2000 - February 20, 2001) (From MD/nights at WYOK in Mobile, Alabama) (Now nights as "Jagger" at WKTU in New York, New York.)
Mornings: Nate Dogg (6am - 10am) (January 2000 - March 2001) (Now out of radio)
Mornings: Doc West (Now mornings at WXKE)
Mornings: Leslie Stone (Now mornings at WXKE)
Middays: Amy Ryan (March 1999 - July 1999)
Middays: Shane Teach (July 1999 - October 1999) (Now weekends at WJFX)
Middays: Brian Michel (10am - 2pm) (March 1999 - February 20, 2001) (From WPTE in Norfolk, Virginia)
Middays: John Fox
Middays: Buzz Maxwell
Afternoons: Buster Meyer (Now out of radio)
Afternoons: Sammy Suarez (2pm - 6pm) (March 2000 - March 2001) (Now PD at WMXZ in Charleston, South Carolina)
Afternoons: BJ Steele (Now late nights at WNHT)
Nights: Jo Valentine (OM: October 1999 - February 2000; MD: May 1999 - February 2000; Nights: March 1999 - February 2000) (From nights at WJET in Erie, Pennsylvania) (Now nights, via voicetrack, at WYSX in Ogdensburg, New York)
Nights: "Wiley Coyote"
Nights: Brian Van Bokkelen ("Van") (Now Production Director at Backyard Broadcasting in Muncie and afternoons, as "Brian Van" on WLBC)
Overnights: Jason Lee (Now nights at WXKE)
weekends: Aaron Bone
Weekends: Trisha Cole

WGBJ-FM

PD: Mojo Wilson

Station History

Originally at 105.5fm, what's now 102.3fm signed on April 10, 1967. There was a frequency change which dropped a new 105.5fm allocation in LaGrange (now WTHD) and moved 102.3fm to Auburn.

WDKB-FM (105.5fm)

Owned by C. P. Broadcasters, Inc. with studios at RR 2, Auburn, IN 46706-9802 (Telephone: 219.925.1055). Country and Western format.

WGTB-FM

Owned by C. P. Broadcasters, Inc. with studios located at 5446 County Road 29, Auburn, IN 46706-9602 (Telephone: 219.925.1055). WGTB aired a country format, and was leased by Summit Radio, Inc. On Saturday January 29, 1994, WGTB dropped its country music format, fell silent and returned to the air on Monday January 31, 1994 with an Adult Contemporary format.

WIFF-FM

Country and Western format. Later, a big bang format. In September 1995, C. P. Broadcasters, Inc. sold WIFF(AM) and WIFF-FM (then on 105.5fm) for $300,000. WIFF-FM later moved frequencies to 102.3fm.

WGLL-FM

WGL-FM

WCKZ-FM

WCKZ briefly signed on with a CHR format in 2000.

WEJE-FM

WEJE moved to 102.3fm in March 2001. In September 2001, the station flipped monikers to "X102.3 - Fort Wayne's Modern Rock." Resulting from this was a new set of calls: WXTW.

WXTE-FM

(A typographical error?)

WXTW-FM

In September 2001, the station flipped monikers to "X102.3 - Fort Wayne's Modern Rock." This resulted in a new set of calls: WXTW. WXTW was sold (along with the other Kovas stations) to Travis Broadcasting Corp. in December 2001, for $7.5 million (total for all stations). WXTW was purchased, along with its sister stations by Summit City Radio Group in July 2004. A simulcast began with the 102.9fm, Huntington frequency (WXKE) that ended in February 2004 when the 102.9fm spun off with a Standards format as "The River." Summit City Radio Group sold WGBJ (as WXTW) in August 2006 for $1.35 million. 102.3fm flipped formats from Alternative to Spanish at Midnight on September 1, 2006. In December 2006, WXTW's call letters changed to WGBJ.

WGBJ-FM

Owned by Three Amigo's Broadcasting. Studios located at 4534 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46825-5800 (Telephone: 260.482.4444). Briefly changed formats from Spanish to Rhythmic CHR, as "Power 102.3" (b1023.com) and later, back to Spanish. Also, very briefly used the call letters "WOPR" as "Power 102.3" but never received FCC approval to use them. In 2018, Three Amigo's Broadcasting sold WGBJ for $515,000 to Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. That sale closed on or about January 10, 2019. Once the sale closed, WGBJ flipped formats to a simulcast of Sarkes' Alternative/WAJI-HD2, also heard on W258B^ ("Alt 99.5").

For Further Reading...

Kilbane, Kevin. "WGTB leaves country, becomes contemporary." Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. 28 January 1994.
"Kovas buys Auburn TV, radio stations" Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. 5 January 1995. Page 8C.
"Newsbreakers" Radio & Records. March 28, 1997. Page 12.
"Rumbles, Part 1 (Street Talk)." Radio & Records. January 15, 1999. Page 27.
Downs, Emma. "New format pushes WEJE up FM dial." Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. 9 March 2001. Page 5A.
Edmonds, Rhea. "4 radio stations to get new owner." The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette. 3 November 2001. Page 7B.
Frazier, Lynne McKenna. "Kovases to sell 4 radio stations to company based in Virginia." The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. 3 November 2001. Page 3A.
Hans, Jennifer Dawn. "Leading Lady." Business People Magazine. November 2005. Pages 69-73.

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.