ABC News Radio VP and General Manager Steve Jones sent the following note to staff today announcing that Doug Limerick is retiring after 33 years on ABC News Radio.
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After 33-years on ABC News Radio, Doug Limerick is retiring Friday, December 18th. We will celebrate Doug’s career with a luncheon in the Washington bureau on Thursday January 7th followed by a luncheon in the New York radio newsroom on Friday January 8th.
Doug has had an amazing career. He started as a 16-year old DJ on a one-thousand watt radio station in Shelby, NC (WOHS). During college at Wake Forest, Doug spun records and then entered the Air Force where he was a Russian linguist. After serving his country, Doug got a job playing records in Monroe, N.C. After his shifts, he used to check in on the community to learn what was happening. His interest in news developed and he landed his first news job with the Palmetto Radio Network in South Carolina. He moved up morning to news anchor at WKIX, Raleigh, then on to WSGN, Birmingham, then four years at WBT, Charlotte. In 1977, Doug headed north to Boston and WHDH before relocating to Washington and ABC’s WRQX in 1979. Doug got his ultimate and final radio job in 1982 when he joined ABC News Radio.
Since then, Doug estimates he has delivered 100,000 newscasts. He’s won many awards and has earned a reputation in the radio industry as the consummate broadcaster. In addition to his newscasts, Doug was a regular fill-in for Paul Harvey and Doug has voiced the daily feature “Doug’s Limerick” for many years.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Doug for nearly as long as he has been with ABC. During that time, I’ve met Doug’s wonderful wife, Robin, several times. No one in morning radio can sustain that pace without an understanding and supportive loved one at home. Robin has always been there for Doug and has supported ABC News Radio as well. Robin and Doug have three grown daughters, three grandsons and a granddaughter on the way.
I’m also very excited to share with you that our very own award-winning Cheri Preston will move to mornings on Monday, January 4th. Cheri is a very familiar voice to our listeners and she will continue the ABC News Radio tradition of excellence in mornings.
Steve
