HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Just shy of his two-year anniversary as WHTC’s program director and morning host, Dan Spadafora is moving on.
Not just on — he’s moving out of Holland to Detroit and out of radio to a job helping small businesses.“I’m tired of cleaning up after his messes! KIDDING,” said General Manger Kevin Oswald, laughing. “Seriously, Dan did a very good job for us.”
Spadafora brought WHTC “youthful energy, enthusiasm and new ideas and concepts,” Oswald said. “He greatly improved the imaging and branding of WHTC. He did a great job hosting the morning show, which has a good combination of news, information and entertainment.”
Spadafora’s mark on WHTC mornings will last, Oswald said.
WHTC listeners heard the news from Spadafora himself on his morning show Monday.
“It has been an unbelievable thrill and honor to have had the chance to wake up the West Michigan, Holland area for the past two years, but it is time for a new adventure,” Spadafora told his audience, adding that his last day is Dec. 4.
Coworker Patty Vandenberg said she appreciated Spadafora’s no-pressure personality.
“He’s a good guy who will be missed,” Vandenberg said.
Co-host Mary Ellen Murphy admitted to mixed feelings, because she’s happy for Spadafora’s new adventure.
But, she said, “he’s one of the best program directors I’ve worked with and that says a lot after 35 years in the business, that a 24-year-old has more class, sense of direction, and knows how to lead than most program directors I’ve worked for.”
Murphy’s thinking about which Frank Sinatra song to play for the weekly Sinatra song break — and promises not to pick a weepy tune.
Spadafora, in true form, told listeners, “You hear many people say words like honor and privilege when announcing a resignation, but for me those words couldn’t be any closer to how I feel. I have always tried to make a deep connection with my listeners and I can honestly say that the listeners at WHTC have deeply connected with me. Although I may not miss waking up at 3:30 a.m. … I will truly miss talking with my friends everyday.
“As Ernie Harwell would say, thank you for welcoming me into your homes and lives everyday.”
