About
Over 80 years of broadcast experience.
Founded in 1940 as West Virginia Radio Corporation. Thirty-three stations, the MetroNews network, a growing roster of podcasts, and a mission to remain local.
It began with WAJR.
WVRC Audio, previously known as West Virginia Radio Corporation, was founded in 1940 by Agnes and Herbert Greer. The couple already owned the Dominion Post and the Greer Limestone Company when they launched WAJR-AM in Morgantown. The call letters were the maiden initials of Mrs. Greer, Agnes Jane Reeves. In 1948 WAJR-FM was put on the air as the first FM station in West Virginia, becoming one of the first commercial FM stations licensed in the United States. The call letters were changed to WVAQ in 1981.
After Mr. Greer’s death, Mrs. Greer ran the companies for more than twenty years. Upon her death in 1972, ownership passed to her three grandsons: Richard, John and David Raese.
In 1985 the firm launched the MetroNews Radio Network, a statewide news, information and sports network distributed via satellite. MetroNews has grown to more than 60 affiliates with over 90 total station signals, and originates and owns exclusive radio and television rights to the West Virginia SSAC state high school championships in basketball, football and baseball.
In total, WVRC Audio operates or controls thirty-three radio stations, providing local news, weather, sports and entertainment coverage to 54 of West Virginia’s 55 counties. The mission of WVRC Audio is to remain local. In many of the communities we serve, our stations are the exclusive local voice for the West Virginians who live there.
02 / Executives
Leadership
Leadership.
01
John R. Raese
Chairman
A native son and lifelong resident of West Virginia, John Raese serves as president and CEO of Greer Industries, which include Greer Limestone, Greer Lime, Greer Steel and Preston County Coal and Coke. He is also Chairman of the Board of West Virginia Radio Corporation. Growing up in University City, the son of the late Jane Greer Raese and former WVU basketball coach Richard A. “Dyke” Raese, John attended public schools and earned a B. S. degree from West Virginia University in 1973 where he played freshman basketball and varsity baseball.
02
George Pelletier
President / CEO
Pelletier has more than 37 years of experience in radio, radio networks and digital platforms. Most recently Pelletier has served as regional president of Alpha Media, overseeing 28 of Alpha’s 42 markets. Prior to Alpha, he served as the chief operating officer of Digity, which was acquired by Alpha in 2016. Pelletier served on the Radio Advertising Bureau’s Small Market Advisory Committee 2000-2005 and as chairman from 2003-2005.
Work with the voice of West Virginia.
Advertising, sponsorships, programming and careers.