Minerd.com Photo of the Month: Media and Radio Content Leader Michael Alvin McVay

Michael Alvin McVay, born in Mount Pleasant and raised in Youngwood, Westmoreland County, PA, is senior vice president of content and programming for Cumulus Media and Westwood One Radio Networks, known for combining high-quality local programming with iconic, nationally syndicated media, sports and entertainment brands.

In this role, Mike oversees the programming of nearly 500 radio stations and two radio networks, including Westwood One. A 40-year programmer with consulting, management, ownership, sales, programming and on-air experience, he has developed and launched several nationally syndicated programs. He also has programmed around the world with more than 300 stations to his credit. Stations programmed or consulted include those in America, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Grand Cayman and Puerto Rico.

The son of Richard A. and Wilma (Ferguson) McVay and grandson of James I. and Myrtle (Thurston) McVay of Mount Pleasant, Mike began his career in 1969 as an on-air announcer with WHJB-AM in Greensburg, PA. He moved to WCVI-AM in Connellsville and later to WMBS-AM in Uniontown, PA and then went on to program radio stations in Wheeling, Charleston, Louisville, Los Angeles and Cleveland. He was a general manager in Mobile, AL and Cleveland. He and his wife Doris have owned and operated radio stations in Naples, Key West, Honolulu and Flint, Michigan. A decade after his start, Michael founded McVay Media in 1979 which became a full-time avocation in 1984. He has authored several broadcast primers, writes for Radio & Records magazine and contributes to Radio Ink magazine.

Widely acknowledged as an industry leader, Mike has been nominated for Consultant of the Year from Billboard Magazine, and Radio & Records. He has captured the Ohio Media Leader of the Year Award, Broadcaster of the Year from the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters, is an inductee into the Cleveland Broadcasting Hall of Fame and has won the Radio Music Award for Broadcast Consultant of the Year during the RMA™ event in Las Vegas. For an unprecedented three years in a row, he was named the R&R Broadcast Executive of the Year (2006, 2007 and 2008) for Radio & Records magazine. Mike was elected to the board of the Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) in October 2008. Today McVay Media is a program consultancy serving radio, TV, the Internet and digital media platforms. More>>>

Pittsburgh in 2016 celebrates its 200th anniversary as an incorporated city. This provides a window in time to acknowledge the Steel City's triumphs, from innovations that created permanent institutions to world class medical and educational facilities after overcoming severe economic challenges. More>>>

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