99.3 County FM (CJPE-FM) has created a new honorary board position as JJ Johnston steps down as Chair of the Prince Edward County community station after 12 years.
In recognition of his volunteer leadership, the board has created the position of Director Emeritus. Johnston will also continue to host the station’s morning show for the forseeable future.
“No single person is more responsible for the success of County FM, from its inception in 2013, going on-air in 2014, and becoming – in the 11 years since – an essential community service,” said incoming Board Chair Mike Harper. “While JJ is leaving the Chair position and his role as an active Board member, the Director Emeritus position allows the station to not only recognize his many years of commitment, it also allows us to keep him in the loop as the station serves the community in the years to come.”
The non-profit, which grew from a community town hall in late 2011, now boasts a volunteer contingent of over 100, four full-time and two part-time staff. Johnston – a radio veteran known for his time as a General Manager and programming executive with Corus Entertainment, Moffatt Communications and Standard Radio, following an extensive on-air career – served as County FM’s first Interim GM.
Johnston says over the last decade, County FM has been able to galvanize the local music community – guaranteeing local airplay, has helped hundreds of non-profits as a megaphone for their activities, and forged a partnership with Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) team, the Wellington Dukes.
Among some of the other station milestones he’s proud of are “working with the county to create disaster plans, finding the money to have generator back-ups to make sure that we are on-the-air when trouble happens, utilizing hundreds of volunteers from all kinds of walks of life, and being able to deliver 40 to 50 different kinds of shows on a weekly basis…”
Most recently, the station launched a new website in January, which includes streaming and on-demand podcasts, and a new interactive interface featuring new sponsorship opportunities.
“It’s an honour to be recognized, and I’m glad to know that I’ll still have a chance to contribute my voice and experience to the future development of 99.3 County FM,” Johnston added.
The current Board of Directors for County FM includes:
- Mike Harper, Chair
- Mary Ann Farrell, Vice Chair
- Christine Winiarz Searle, Treasurer
- Philip Knox, Secretary
- Lynn Pickering, Director
- Geoff Craig, Director
- Mark Despault, Director
- Astrid Young, Director
- Shelagh Hurley, Director
- Nancy Griffin, Director
