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Connoisseur Media Portland

Connoisseur Media Looks Ahead with New Leadership in Portland

October 7, 2025

Connoisseur Media today announced new leadership in its Portland, Oregon market, reinforcing its dedication to local talent, strong community connections, and the continued growth of its largest and most dynamic market. Portland is home to seven leading radio brands and a growing portfolio of digital offerings.

Mark Handwerger, currently Director of Sales for Connoisseur Portland, will be promoted to Market Manager, effective October 16, 2025. Handwerger joined Connoisseur earlier this year after a successful career leading sales operations for major broadcast groups in the Portland DMA the past 20 years.

Current Market Manager Robert Dove will transition to an advisory role and then ultimately retire as his commitment with the company comes to close at the end of the year. Dove was instrumental in recruiting Handwerger to Connoisseur and identified him early as a strong fit to lead the Portland operation moving forward.

“I’m excited about our future here at Connoisseur Portland,” said Handwerger. “The legacy brands we have in this market are powerful, and we’ll continue to grow their local presence. When you combine these audio platforms with our Connrex suite of digital solutions, it’s an unbeatable combination for both listeners and clients. We’re building something special here.”

Jeff Warshaw, CEO of Connoisseur Media, stated, “Portland is a major part of who we are. It’s a great market with incredible talent and strong brands. Mark’s the right person to lead this next chapter. He understands how to connect with the community and drive results, and that’s exactly what we want in a local leader.”

Robert Dove stated on the transition, “These past two years have been a great experience. We’ve built a strong team and made meaningful progress in Portland. Mark’s leadership will keep that momentum going as the team continues to grow.”

Connoisseur Media’s Portland portfolio includes seven premier radio brands and a rapidly expanding digital division serving audiences and businesses throughout the region.