Eagle Media Chairman Gary Shorman has announced that Matt Althouse is being promoted to Regional Vice President of of Eagle's Kansas Media Group, effective January 1st, 2025.
“As the radio and media world has evolved, Matt’s experience and success puts him in the right place at the right time to grow our numerous radio and media options, and also to focus on our Employee Ownership mission” commented Gary Shorman, Chairman, at Eagle Media. Kansas
Broadcasters picked Matt for their “Rising Star Award” in 2023 reflecting his success at Eagle Media.
Althouse is looking forward to this new role at Eagle, “As Employee Owners, our commitment is to continually enhance and refine how we deliver news, sports, and entertainment that matters to our communities. In today’s increasingly fragmented media landscape, it’s more critical than ever to connect with audiences through meaningful, locally focused content that informs and inspires. At the same time, we must provide advertisers with targeted strategies through both broadcast and digital that cut through the noise, build trust, and drive real results. By prioritizing both audience engagement and advertiser success, we strengthen the bonds within our communities while ensuring sustainable growth for the future.”
Matt started his radio career at KJCK-FM in Junction City in 2003 as an on-air talent and later, music director.
In 2009 Matt joined Hull Broadcasting in Great Bend where he had the opportunity to be exposed to every facet of the business. From traffic logs and programming, to engineering, and later Operations Manager and Digital Sales Manager for Eagle Communications.
He was also Program Director for KBGL-FM from 2012 until 2021 when he accepted the position of General Manager for Eagle Communications in Great Bend. In his first year of station management, Matt and his sales team hit all but one of their monthly quotas. He’s successfully navigated the replacement of an operations manager and news director and orchestrated the successful and profitable giveaway of a brand-new car for Great Bend radio’s summer promotion.
Matt sees himself as a problem solver. He enjoys helping clients and staff members solve their problems,and says, “There is no shortage of problems out there.” He looks back with pride on some successful cases, such as the plumber who showed up at the office as a one-man operation with a single truck who now runs a large fleet with storefronts in multiple communities–proof of the power of radio and a strategic advertising campaign.
Matt is also passionate about enriching the next generation of media professionals. He works hard to enable young people with opportunities to grow and succeed in the broadcast industry.
Away from the office, Matt has successfully navigated some challenges as well. As a single dad with two young children (Lucas and Emma) work/life balance is a top priority and a challenge that he has conquered.
Matt will continue his leadership role in the Hutchinson Market and will begin meetings with the individual market teams in Kansas over the next week.