iHeartMedia Restructures Regional Leadership

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 25, 2025 | 9:39am CT

iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia has announced a broad reorganization of its Markets Group, resulting in new leadership roles for several executives and the departure of two long-serving presidents. The moves follow the recent appointment of Ann Marie Licata as President of Markets Group and Sales Operations and come as part of a strategy to strengthen community ties and streamline regional operations.

John Karpinski, most recently Division President, has been promoted to President of iHeartMedia Community Markets. In this new role, he will oversee the Community Markets Division, with Division President Shosh Abromovich reporting to him. Karpinski will report directly to Markets Group COO Bernie Weiss. Karpinski, who joined iHeart in sales and operations leadership roles before advancing to the automotive business development unit, was elevated to Division President in 2023.

Meanwhile, Dave Carwile has been named Division President of the newly created Midwest & Southeast Division, overseeing the Carolina Majors, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. Carwile has been with iHeart since 1993 and previously served as Carolina Region Metro President.

Aaron Hyland has been promoted to Division President with oversight of Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, and Hartford, working in close partnership with New York Region President Steve DeLusant to build a stronger Northeast Division. Hyland joined the company in 2013 and has led both the Baltimore and Washington markets in recent years.

Other regional adjustments include moving the Chicago Region into the West & Great Lakes Division under Division President Kris Foley, while iHeart Atlanta becomes part of the Florida Division led by Division President Chris Soechtig.

As part of the restructuring, two veteran leaders are departing the company. DJ Hodge, who served as Market President in Cincinnati since 2017 and later added oversight of Pittsburgh in 2022, has exited. Also departing is Dan Lankford, who had been with iHeart for more than 25 years, most recently as Regional President for the Allentown and Harrisburg markets. Lankford previously led operations in Akron, Mansfield, Sandusky, and New Castle, Pennsylvania.

In a company memo, Licata and Weiss noted, "Our Markets Group has deep roots in the communities we serve, and represents a tremendous amount of business for our organization. This reorganization will best position us to meet marketplace needs while increasing the support we provide to our communities."