Just days after attracting attention for a series of moves in Honolulu, SummitMedia, the radio broadcasting company led by Chairman/CEO Carl Parmer, is set to say farewell to its retiring Market President at its Knoxville station group.
With Chris Protzman‘s retirement on February 1, which concludes an 18-year run as the head of the stations, SummitMedia is turning to a woman who served as the cluster’s Local Sales Manager some five years ago before exiting the group.
Kelsey Graham will succeed Protzman, and she’s coming back to Knoxville from Athens, Ga., where she has served as a Station Director for Cox Media Group in the small market that is home to the University of Georgia’s main campus.
“I am excited to return to the Knoxville Market and cluster that I managed in 2017 as LSM,” Graham says. “This homecoming is both a personal and professional desire
for me and my family. Carl’s passion for the Knoxville Operation and our team members
drove this perfect fit.”
Commenting on his retirement, Protzman added, ”Carl and I started this conversation last fall and I am delighted with how all the pieces came together. As I transition into the next chapter of my professional life, I look forward to completing my work as Chairman Emeritus of our State Broadcast Association, as well as advancing several non-profit projects near and dear to my heart. SummitMedia has pledged to support these efforts moving forward and I am deeply grateful for their support.”
Parmer commented, “Chris has done an outstanding job leading our Knoxville cluster and we wish him the very best as begins his next chapter. He was instrumental in helping choose his successor and we couldn’t be more excited for our team.”
