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Our Expertise

Connoisseur Media is composed of a talented group of on-air personalities, social media influencers, creative strategists, account management pros, producers, videographers, designers, and more. From industry innovators to valuable visionaries, our team is filled with individuals characterized by unique backgrounds, skill-sets, and enthusiasm. The team is eager to work on their next project and hope it’s yours!

Kristin Okesson

SVP/General Manager

Kristin oversees the company's Connecticut operation including six radio stations, Dinormous Media, and Ferocious Content. As a lifelong Connecticut resident, Kristin brings over 25 years of valuable experience in the radio industry. Her contributions have not gone unnoticed, as she has earned multiple accolades, including being recurrently recognized as ``One of the Most Influential Women in Radio`` by Radio Ink Magazine. She has been named for other prestigious awards such as the Radio Wayne winner for Sales Manager and Market Manager of the year from Radio Ink Magazine. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kristin is an active member of various boards and associations. She currently serves as the President of the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and holds the position of Vice Chair of the CT Broadcasters Association board. Additionally, she is a dedicated board member of The Center for Family Justice and the Board of Visitors for Sacred Heart University's School of Arts & Sciences.

Stu Gorlick

Director of Sales

Stu a life-long Connecticut resident with 30+ years in Radio. Once live on the air in New Haven, Stu turned his attention to the money side of the business and has worked in sales management in New York, Hartford and for the last five years with Connoisseur Media. Stu believes that filling client needs versus station needs ends with great results for both the client and the stations they chose to invest in! A win win for all!

Andy Alcosser

Director of Sales

Andy Alcosser has been in radio and media sales for over 20 years. Andy strives to understand customers’ goals and help develop multi-faceted media plans to get results. He is ready to help grow your business.

Shannon Begley

Digital Sales Manager

Shannon Begley is the Digital Sales Manager for Connoisseur Media CT. Originally from Long Island, Shannon graduated from Sacred Heart University and decided to stay in CT to start her career and family. Shannon started working for these Connecticut stations in 2005 where she started as an Account Manager. She has always believed that businesses should utilize integrated marketing plans. It’s a great way for them to be in front of their customers in various ways and get their message heard and seen. That was one of the reasons why she chose this career because this radio station group believes that as well and can offer that to their customers through radio, events, sponsorships, digital and more!

Marnie Klebart

Local Sales Manager

Marnie Klebart is the Local Sales Manager for WEBE and WICC radio. With decades of Sales Management experience, as well as many years on the agency side, her focus is to help clients achieve their goals through well thought out, integrated campaigns; including radio, digital, social and event marketing. Marnie is very passionate about finding ways to help local businesses grow, all while going above and beyond to provide you with an outstanding Connoisseur Media experience. Marnie enjoys traveling, music of all kinds, and admits even in the worst of times, she is a die-hard Mets fan.

Rowena White

Director: Communications/Marketing/Public Relations Dinormous

Rowena's career has spanned a number of public and private sector accomplishments. Her life in the fast-lane of comms and marketing includes heading up Communications for a U.S. Congressional Campaign, Director of Communications for the City of Bridgeport reporting to the Mayor, Communications Chair for Connecticut's Public Safety ESF13, directing comms for a statewide gubernatorial campaign and municipal elections, as well as leading local and state Digital, Events, and Sponsorships for regional media outlets. She also spends time working on things that matter to her outside of daily responsibilities, including being a former Board member of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce with the BRBC, and former President of the WICC Holiday Fund for Children. Rowena is now an active Board Member of Western CT Tourism and on the Marketing Committee.

Keith Dakin

VP of Programming

Keith Dakin is the Vice President of Programming for Connoisseur Media. He grew up in New Hampshire, attended Syracuse University, and has worked in radio for over twenty years with stops including Richmond, VA and Boston, MA. Keith has been working for these Connecticut stations since 2010 and specializes in bringing new life to classic brands. He firmly believes that great radio talent can sell a product or service better than any other form of advertising.

Kevin Begley

Program Director STAR

Kevin Begley is responsible for managing the on air staff and curating the sound of each station. Originally from southern Massachusetts, Kevin moved to Connecticut in 2012 after being on air at stations in Boston, Los Angeles and Richmond, VA. While hosting the afternoon show on Star 99.9, Kevin has built a strong connection with the community in the Bridgeport and Stamford-Norwalk markets, as well as a strong presence on social media. Kevin is also an expert and lover of all things pizza.

Allan Lamberti

Program Director WPLR/WICC

Allan Lamberti is Program Director of WPLR and WICC, plus afternoon host on WEBE. Allan has worked in the radio industry for over 20 years, and began his Connecticut radio career in 2003, with stints in several local markets, including Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford-Norwalk.

Ed Oliveira

Director of Traffic & Creative Services

His career began in 2001 in Richmond, VA where he worked as Promotions Director and Morning Show co-host. He then spent four years in Boston as a Morning Show host and Producer. Arriving in Connecticut in 2011 he transitioned into production and creative services. Ed calls upon his years of experience to provide clients, sellers and stations with creative advertising and content. He also loves Star Wars. Like, a bit too much.

Meghan Boyd

Director of Digital & Design

Meghan Boyd is the Director of Digital & Design. She attended Pratt Institute for graphic design and has been with the stations for nearly a decade. Responsible for the stations’ graphics and digital presences, she creates an accompanying visual for all our audio brands.

Steve Soyland

Promotions Director WEBE/STAR

Steve Soyland is the Marketing and Promotions Director for Star 99.9, 95.9 The FOX and WEBE108. Steve is a Fairfield County native, starting his radio career at 95.9 THE FOX in 1990. He is passionate about events and promotions and can usually be found out and about at these with a camera in his hand.

Drew Carrano

Promotions Director WPLR/WYBC/WICC

Drew Carrano is the Director of Marketing and Promotions for 99.1 PLR, WICC and 94.3 WYBC. He is a New Haven native and graduate of Quinnipiac University. Drew started in radio in 1996 and has been doing promotions and marketing in the New Haven market since 2000. He has won awards for best social media content and for outstanding community service.

John Voket

Director of Public Affairs

Over 30 years ago, John Voket transitioned from morning show intern at WPLR to producing the award-winning public affairs program 'For the People.' John became Director of Public Affairs after the acquisition of STAR 99.9, and his program was eventually syndicated on all Connecticut Connoisseur Media stations. John is a three-time CT Agricultural Journalist of the Year — and has been honored for reporting on consumer affairs; de-stigmatizing mental health and addiction; promoting adoption and foster care; and domestic violence prevention. He is responsible for vetting public affairs program guests, producing PSAs, contributing to special projects, and maintaining critical issues reports for each station's Public File. John believes the best way to solve community challenges is to continually highlight agencies, programs, and people who can help accomplish that.

Tristan Haller

Director of Sales Support

Tristan Haller is a lifelong Connecticut resident. He loves music and grew up listening to these Southern Connecticut radio stations. After graduating from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, he started as an intern in 2009 and has worn many different hats around the stations learning the intricacies of the radio industry, which gives him a unique perspective of how advertising in radio can help you grow your business.

Ginger Ballou

Senior Account Manager

Senior Account Manager Ginger Ballou has decades of experience helping local businesses grow by developing strong customer relationships, and creating integrated marketing campaigns that include radio, community sponsorships, digital and social media. A graduate of The George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree of Communications in radio, television and film, and a minor in journalism, Ginger began her career managing her college radio station and interning in the ABC Newsroom at Good Morning America. After a brief radio stint as a Morning Drive co - host in Bangor, Maine, Ginger moved to Connecticut, where she started a family, and shifted her career focus to the marketing side of the media business. A mother of four, besides her family and career, her other loves are gardening, sports, travel, cooking, and all types of music.

Kim Hammesfahr

Senior Account Manager

Kim Hammesfahr is a Senior Account Manager for Connoisseur, and has thrived in the media industry for over 20 years. She has been with Connoisseur for the 3+ years she has lived in CT. Prior to moving to CT, she sold radio for a top station in Philadelphia, and also worked with large nationwide media companies in Tulsa prior to that. She is a big fan of all music genres, and is happy that Connoisseur enables her to provide her clients with some of the best stations CT has to offer. Equally being able to include various touch points, with so many local on site and promotional opportunities, as well as top notch digital products and team. At home Kim is most happy hanging with her perfectly pieced together family and their family dog Lucky (who is VERY LUCKY to have them!)

Jen Haynes

Senior Account Manager

Jen has been in the business from the agency planning and buying sides to sales strategy.<br /> She loves helping local businesses grow and specialize in all around media strategy including working with co-op. She’d like to help you too!

Maria Lashley

Senior Account Manager

Maria Lashley is a Senior Account Manager in the Advertising/Sales Department. She caught the radio bug in 1990 when she had her first radio show in high school and continued throughout college at Trinity College. Upon graduation she still loved radio but wanted to be more involved behind the scenes. For over 20 years, Maria has been helping business owners and ad agencies achieve their marketing goals. Whether it’s a small business owner, a concert promoter or an established advertising agency, Maria makes sure all of her clients know she’s there for them to communicate their branding and sales message on-air, on-line or on-site.

Amanda LaTorraca

Senior Account Manager

Veteran Senior Account Manager Amanda LaTorraca has over 13 years of experience helping to grow her clients businesses with creative advertising solutions. With a Masters in Integrated Marketing, her number one priority for her clients is to use her knowledge to create marketing plans that help her clients reach their goals. She is passionate about her clients and there is nothing more rewarding to her than helping businesses, regardless of size and industry, grow and reach their desired outcomes while also being able to provide the best customer service. A Connecticut native that knows the market, Amanda is a wife and mom to two young boys. A driven marketer for her clients and a sports mom to her sons. Her attention to detail and results has kept Amanda the top billing rep with Connoisseur since 2014.

Adam Perrotti

Account Manager

Adam Perrotti is an account manager representing all 6 radio stations at Connoisseur Media. Adam was born and raised in CT, upon graduating highschool he moved to the west coast and studied at Loyola Marymount University located in Los Angeles, receiving his Bachelor's degree in communication and fine arts. Adam has always been intrigued by the entertainment industry in every faucet, growing his own understanding of music production at the age of just 13, when he began to DJ events throughout CT. The interest in the industry quickly expanded while in high school, further expanding his knowledge into film production, creative screenplay writing and eventually the business side of the industry while studying at LMU. Adam takes great pride in his work and will always display his best effort while assisting clients achieve their goals. Adam is excited to work with local businesses to help further build their brand as well as build relationships with individuals in a variety of different industries. Adam enjoys catching up with family & friends, watching sports, and the outdoors.

Pam Racevicius

Account Manager

Pam is an Account Manager representing all 6 radio stations. A graduate with a communications degree from UConn and over twenty years in sales and marketing roles made joining the team five years ago a natural transition. Her focus is to help clients achieve their goals, stand out from their competition and grow their business through well thought out radio, digital and event marketing solutions. Pam enjoys family time, healthy cooking, a great wine and a beautiful beach.

Nate Stiles

Account Manager

Nate Stiles is an Account Manager representing all 5 radio stations at Connoisseur Media, as well as Ferocious Digital. Nate was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and is also a dual citizen of Canada. He attended high school in Connecticut before venturing off to the north to attend Queen’s University in Ontario, where he studied economics. In University, Nate worked for a few different startups that were involved in some sort of entertainment. This is where he learned the necessities of marketing and began his path to the world of sales and media. Nate is very proud of what he has accomplished for his clients and continues to be a crutch for local business and their marketing goals. In his free time, you can find Nate playing pickup hockey at your local ice rink, or on the golf course with his buddies. Nate is ecstatic about what the future holds for Connoisseur Media and its employees!

Dawn Wachner

Account Manager

Dawn Wachner was born and raised in Michigan (Go Blue!), moved to Southern CA, and for the last 19 years has called CT home with her 2 college aged kids and her adorable, rescued Shih Tzu Dexter. She started her radio career as a weekend on air personality and part time promotions and marketing coordinator. She did a short stint as the news and entertainment reporter on Star 99.9’s morning show. Dawn has worn many different hats around the stations learning the twists and turns of the radio industry, which gives her a distinctive viewpoint of how advertising in radio can help you grow your business or bring that extra pizazz to your event. Dawn is excited to work with local businesses to put together high performing radio, digital and event marketing campaigns. Together she will build your businesses brand and get you the leads your business needs to succeed. She prides herself in the great relationships she has built with her clients.

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    Main Office

    Address

    440 Wheelers Farms Road,
    Suite 302
    Milford, CT 06461

    Phone

    203-783-8200