Randall Bloomquist

Randall Bloomquist is a veteran talk radio programmer and journalist who most recently served as program director of  news/talk 640 WGST in Atlanta.  He also oversaw operation of the Atlanta Braves Radio Network, the Georgia News Network, and the Atlanta office of the Total Traffic Network.

Bloomquist began his radio career in 1996 as program director of news/talk WBT-AM in Charlotte, NC.  During his four years at the station, Bloomquist helped position WBT for success by bringing focus to the programming content and attracting new talent to the line-up.  His most notable accomplishment was the creation of Charlotte’s Morning News with Al Gardner, which is currently among Charlotte’s top-rated morning radio programs.  He was also responsible for pairing politically conservative music executive Richard Spires and liberal rock jock Brad Krantz in afternoons. The quirky duo was an instant hit with Charlotte radio listeners.

In September 2000, Bloomquist left WBT to become Director of AM Operations for Clear Channel Radio’s Richmond, VA cluster. In that capacity he was charged with revamping two failing stations — news/talk WRVA-AM and all-sports WRNL-AM.  In his first 100 days, Bloomquist completely overhauled WRVA’s host line-up, replacing numerous long-time personalities with fresh,  entertaining and informative talent.  Those changes allowed WRVA to re-establish itself as Richmond’s radio station for news and information — just in time for the events of September 11th, 2001.

In April 2003 Bloomquist produced WRVA’s Rally for America, an event designed to show support for U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. The rally, headlined by talk host Glenn Beck, drew more than 8,000 people to an open field for a program of patriotic speeches and songs.

In September 2003, ABC Radio gave Bloomquist his dream job as program director of news/talk WMAL-AM in his hometown of Washington, DC.  Bloomquist’s biggest programming achievement was converting veteran WMAL personality Chris Core from a news interviewer into a true talk show host.  That process, which took the better part of two years, saved Core’s radio career and resulted in higher ratings and revenue for the radio station.  But Bloomquist is more proud of Operation Homefront, a holiday fundraising campaign that raised $2 million in 60 days for Fisher House, an organization that supports wounded military personnel and their families.

Prior to his career in radio, Bloomquist worked as a Washington-based journalist and public relations practitioner.  He spent seven years as Washington Bureau Chief of  the trade publication Radio & Records,where he founded the  paper’s News/Talk section, and started the the R&R Talk Radio Seminar, the leading annual conference for talk radio professionals. Bloomquist continues to write on a freelance basis.  His work has appeared in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, ADWEEK, and The Washington Times.