Former WTOP/Washington DC PD Jim Farley Dies

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, August 20, 2024 | 3:47pm CT

Jim Farley

Former WTOP/Washington, DC Program Director Jim Farley has died following surgery to repair an aneurysm. Farley, who led the DC all-news station from 1996 until his retirement in 2013, played a key role in the station's transition from its previous 1500 AM signal to 103.5 FM.

Farley's career spanned several news organizations. He began at 1010 WINS, working at the copy desk before rising to the position of news editor. He later joined NBC News Radio, where he advanced to Vice President of Radio News. Farley also served as Managing Editor and General Manager of News at ABC News Radio from 1988 until he moved to WTOP.

In a memo to staff, WTOP Senior Vice President and General Manager Joel Oxley described Farley's tenure at the station as "legendary." Oxley wrote, "As PD of WTOP from 1996 until he retired in 2013, Jim took us to new heights. Most importantly, Jim was an absolutely fantastic person. Time and time again, he would make me laugh when I went into his office. He was truly one of a kind. I miss him already. Jim was living the good life with his wife, Jo, in Florida. Condo President, working with charities and still posting about radio on a regular basis. I've passed our condolences along to Jo and his family."

WTOP Capitol Hill Correspondent Mitchell Miller also paid tribute to Farley, highlighting his leadership and impact on the station. "All of us who worked for Jim Farley know what a great broadcast journalist he was, and as Joel said, what a fantastic person he was. Jim was an industry leader and top-notch newsroom leader. He always let his team take the helm with breaking news because he trained us all so well and trusted us to do the right thing."