In 1981, Rick Cummings, from Cloverdale, became Emmis Broadcasting’s first program director at flagship stations WENS FM, 97.1. In 1984, he was named Emmis’ National Program Director, launching KPWR in Los Angeles, followed by WQHT in New York, and then the country’s first all-sports station, WFAN in New York. In 2002, he became President of the Radio Division of Emmis Communications, overseeing more than 20 radio stations. In 2008, he became President of Programming for Emmis’ domestic radio group.