Hubbard appoints Keith Lawless as new Chicago Market Manager

Replaces Jeff Enguland, who steps down 

Minneapolis-based Hubbard Radio announced Friday a management change at the executive suites at its Chicago cluster, with Keith Lawless taking over as Market Manager for Hot AC 101.9 The Mix/WTMX, Classic Rock 97.1 The Drive/WDRV/WWDV, and Classic Hits WSHE-FM. 

 “We are pleased to welcome Keith to Hubbard Radio and look forward to watching him put his unique talents and experience to work with our great team in Chicago”, said Hubbard Radio CEO Ginny Hubbard Morris said in a statement. 

“Thank you to Ginny Morris for this opportunity,” said Lawless in the same statement. “I’m honored to join the Hubbard organization in their 100th year of broadcasting.” 

Lawless comes from Cox’s cluster in Tampa-St. Petersburg, where he was employed for 25 years. Lawless rose through the ranks from General Sales Manager of WSUN-FM to becoming VP/Market Manager of the Cox cluster then regional vice president for Cox’s stations not only in Tampa, but also in Houston. Lawless department Cox in August 2022. 

Lawless replaces Jeff Enguland, who served in the same capacity at Hubbard since October 2016. During his tenure, WTMX lost their top-rated morning team in Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, as management completely mishandled each of their departures. Hart went AWOL from the show in 2017 because of her tense relationship with Ferguson, as she abruptly retired from radio. Four years later, details of workplace abuse from Ferguson became public, as now-former morning show sidekicks Melissa McGurren and Cynthia DeNicolo each filed lawsuits against him and Hubbard alleging sexual harassment, among other acts. The result was a PR nightmare for Hubbard, forcing Ferguson out amid declining ratings for the morning show and the station overall in key demos. Despite all the controversies, Hubbard stuck by Enguland and kept his job.

On the other hand, The Drive rose to the top of the ratings heap in Chicago during Enguland’s time here and remains a top-five station overall and in key demos. But despite this achievement, it’s the disastrous end of WTMX’s morning show franchise Enguland’s tenure in Chicago will be remembered for.