Connoisseur Media is proud to announce that CEO Jeff Warshaw has been named Radio Ink’s 2026 Executive of the Year, capping a landmark year that reshaped our company’s position in the broadcasting industry.

The Executive of the Year honor recognizes leadership, innovation, and measurable impact across the radio industry. Warshaw will be featured in conversation with Radio Ink Editor-in-Chief Cameron Coats in the magazine’s January 5, 2026, issue, available in print and online.

A Year of Strategic Growth and Renewed Focus

The recognition follows our acquisition of Alpha Media’s assets, a transformative move that propelled Connoisseur Media into the top 10 US radio operators by revenue. But for Warshaw and our team, the acquisition represented more than growth—it was an opportunity to recommit to radio’s fundamental strength: deep local connections.

“The spirit of entrepreneurism is alive in the radio industry,” Warshaw said in his Radio Ink interview. “We have pep in our step.”

That energy has translated into action across our expanded portfolio. The Alpha acquisition enabled us to restore local focus and reestablish heritage station brands like Z93 in Dayton and The App in San Antonio, returning familiar voices and community ties to the airwaves that listeners had missed.

Quality Over Quantity

Perhaps the boldest move of the past year was our decision to cut one million commercials across the Connoisseur portfolio. This wasn’t just about reducing clutter—it was about restoring value to our inventory, improving the listener experience, and demonstrating to advertisers that quality messaging matters more than quantity.

The initiative has restored listener trust while boosting team morale throughout our organization, reinforcing our belief that doing right by our audiences and communities creates sustainable success.

Industry Recognition

Radio Ink President and Publisher Deborah Parenti noted, “Jeff Warshaw’s enthusiasm and passion for radio are traits that capture the essence of what we seek in naming the Radio Ink Executive of the Year and Jeff demonstrates those qualities in spades. A risk taker and visionary, Jeff has continued to build his brand and showcase strong leadership with ambitious plans for both his company and the industry’s future.”

Editor-in-Chief Cameron Coats added, “Each year, the Executive of the Year honor recognizes someone whose decisions move radio forward. Jeff Warshaw’s work in 2025 did exactly that: combining vision, discipline, and belief in what local radio can still achieve. His story isn’t just about scale. It’s about conviction.”

Looking Forward

As we enter 2026, this recognition affirms what we’ve always known: radio’s future belongs to operators who combine strategic vision with unwavering commitment to local communities. Under Jeff’s leadership, Connoisseur Media will continue investing in our stations, our people, and the markets we serve.

Warshaw last appeared on Radio Ink’s cover in 2013. His return to the magazine thirteen years later tells the story of sustained excellence and a leader whose best work continues to unfold.

The full interview will be available in the January 5, 2026, issue of Radio Ink.