General Manager Cormier parts ways with Radio Vermont Group

March 24, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti

As the ownership transition moves forward at Radio Vermont Group in Waterbury, the stations’ General Manager Steve Cormier has stepped down.

Steve Cormier ended his run as general manager at Radio Vermont Group on March 15. File photo courtesy Radio Vermont Group

Cormier, who just several years ago was poised to potentially buy WDEV and its sister stations, had his last day at the Stowe Street offices on March 15. Reached last week, he confirmed his departure but did not want to discuss the matter further. “Yes, I’m no longer with Radio Vermont Group,” Cormier said. 

For the time being, there is no replacement for Cormier in the wings, according to outgoing owner Ashley Jane Squier who is in the process of transferring ownership of the company to Mermel & McLain Management LLC of Manchester, Vermont. Squier inherited the role of Radio Vermont Group leader in November when her father and longtime owner Kenley Dean Squier passed away at age 88. 

On Jan. 11, the stations announced the next chapter for the 92-year-old independent radio operation. Myers Mermel and investor-partner Scott Milne are next in line to take over WDEV and its sister stations. Cormier at the time hailed the deal saying he intended to remain on board for the transition and beyond.

Squier also did not elaborate on the details of Cormier’s departure. On Friday she acknowledged that a transition on the order of what is under way at Radio Vermont inevitably will include some staff changes. “We wish Corm well,” she said.

Inducted into the Vermont Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2021, Cormier joined Radio Vermont Group in 2015 as director of sales and became general manager in 2017 when he also entertained the prospect of purchasing the company with other investors. That deal never came to fruition. 

The veteran broadcaster has worked in sales and programming with stints at the classic rock station WIZN, Champ 101.3FM and WTSA AM and FM in Brattleboro before joining the Waterbury-based group. For nearly 20 years, he along with former UVM basketball coach Tom Brennan hosted the popular “Corm and the Coach” radio and later internet show.  

Despite Cormier’s departure, Squire added that it’s worth noting that “a lot of our staff are staying and working really hard to bring Radio Vermont Group to a good place.” 

Squier said she doesn’t plan to hire Cormier’s successor now. “Things are going through so much change, we’re not going to hire unless it’s absolutely necessary,” she said. “When Myers is in charge, he will hire the right people.” 

For now, Mermel is getting familiar in his new role, she said. The process to transfer ownership follows strict protocols overseen by the Federal Communications Commission, Squier explained. It first involves completing the formal handoff from Radio Vermont’s trustee Glen Wright who also passed away in late 2023. Steps are in progress to formally shift operations and programming duties to Mermel in several weeks and the entire process should be completed in the next several months, she said. 

WDEV is the company’s flagship AM 550/FM 96.1 station. The group and sale include WLVB FM 93.9, WCVT FM 101.7, W243AT-FM 96.5 and W252CU-FM 98.3, and W273AM-FM 102.5. The stations broadcast across Central Vermont as well as the Burlington area and the Northeast Kingdom.

Squier has taken a leave of absence from her job teaching at a private Montessori school in Barre to work on the radio stations’ sale and transfer. She said she misses her work and intends to be back when the new school year begins at the end of this summer. 

In addition to the business transactions under way, Squier said she is involved in planning for a special celebration at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre in honor of her father this spring. That’s set for Saturday, May 4. More details on that will be announced soon, she said.