Jeffrey Parke’s departure from Inland Empire broadcasting marks a significant shift for Southern California radio programmers and rights holders, as the general manager of KCAL-FM and KOLA-FM closes a nearly 40-year tenure that transformed two stations into market leaders. His retirement on July 24 ends a career defined by strategic acquisitions and brand reinventions that directly impacted local audience share and advertising revenue in the Riverside-San Bernardino market.
From Sales Manager to Market Dominance
Parke joined KCAL-FM on January 1, 1987, as a sales manager before ascending to general manager in 1989. His leadership proved pivotal when he managed the acquisition and relaunch of KOLA-FM in 1991. At the time, KOLA operated as an automated oldies station, but under Parke’s direction, it evolved into the market’s dominant radio brand. This transformation solidified the station’s position as a top performer, maintaining its status as the No. 2 station in the market by average quarter-hour share for persons 6+ as of May 2026, with a 5.3 share.
A Mentor’s Legacy and Future Plans
Parke credited Tim Sullivan, his former mentor and the general manager who recruited him to KCAL, as the catalyst for his leadership success. Sullivan, who later purchased KCAL and expanded the company’s footprint, died in 2024. Parke recalled Sullivan’s influence, stating he was indebted to the man who gave him his chance to run the stations and build them into powerhouses. Beyond his radio achievements, Parke also led KCBQ-FM in San Diego under Sullivan’s ownership, helping the company flip the station to Jefferson Pilot after three years. In retirement, Parke plans to focus on his family, including his wife, children, and grandchildren, while continuing his real estate interests and traveling extensively.
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