By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Eagle Communications of St. Joseph has announced Doug Schmitz will become the new Market Manager, succeeding Gary Exline, who is retiring.

It is a homecoming of sorts for Schmitz, who worked in sales as an Account Executive for Eagle Communications for 15 years before accepting the position of Market Manager over four stations in Bethany and Cameron for Alpha Media.

Schmitz becomes Market Manager, effective this month. Exline plans to retire at the end of the year, but will remain with Eagle through the rest of this year, helping in St. Joseph as well as in other markets as needed.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to Eagle’s St. Joseph Operations.  There are so many good people here, and radio stations with a great track record of being involved in the community.  Radio is now the reach leader, and in St. Joseph and around the area, Eagle Communications is leading the way,” Schmitz said in a written statement released by Eagle Communications. “My wife, Tammie, and I are excited about moving back to the community, with the opportunities ahead not only for us, but also for each of the employee owners at Eagle Communications in St. Joseph!”

Schmitz, a lifelong Missourian, received a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. He began his radio career in 1991 as the Promotional Assistant for KFKF Radio in Kansas City, Missouri.

“We are very excited to have Doug in the leadership role in our St. Joseph market,” Eagle Communications Chairman and CEO, Gary Shorman said in a written statement. “As an employee-owned company, our achievements are determined by the success of each employee owner. Doug has been an effective leader in his radio career and we look forward to having him back at Eagle.”

Schmitz has been married to Tammie for more than 25 years. They have two children:  Ashlea, who is 23 and Joshua, who is age 21.