EPISODE SUMMARY: Salem Media Group CEO Dave Santrella looks back on a broadcasting career that began as a high-school radio DJ in the Chicago area and grew through sales, station leadership, and executive roles. He shares how early mentors shaped his work ethic, why he puts clients’ needs ahead of a sale, and how a move to Salem allowed him to align his professional skills with his faith.

Santrella will be among those honored as Giants of Broadcasting by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation at the 2026 Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts luncheon and awards ceremony. The event will be held on Tuesday, November 17th at Gotham Hall in New York City.

On this episode of Chachi Loves Everybody, Chachi talks to Dan Mason about:

1. Dave’s Chicago upbringing in Niles, Illinois, and how early radio curiosity started with a high school building that looked like it held a station tower
2. His first radio breaks at WMTH and WVVX, including learning the grind of early broadcasting and taking whatever gig was available
3. How a college job driving the WMAQ White Sox fan van exposed him to advertisers, clients, and the business side of radio
4. The sales mentorship of Steve Lessman and Joe Dubeck, including the tough love that helped him grow up fast in a grown-up business
5. Why he believes the best salespeople diagnose client needs first and are willing to say, “I’m not the right fit”
6. His leadership philosophy, including the value of giving reps credit, helping others win, and avoiding silos
7. Moving to Salem Media and launching The Fish in Chicago
8. Salem’s expansion into Salem Surround, Salem Now, and Salem News Channel as a response to digital change and audience behavior
9. His advice to people entering media

And More!

ABOUT THIS EPISODE'S GUEST:

 In January 2022 Dave became the Chief Executive Officer after serving 12 years as the President of Broadcast Media for Salem Media Group. Salem is a media company specializing in Christian and Conservative content with over 1400 employees and 3500 affiliates in 30 markets.   

Under Dave's leadership, Salem launched Salem Surround - a digital platform - which has been a powerful revenue growth engine for the company and has dramatically increased Salem's digital abilities and footprint to help their clients. Salem Podcast Network, SalemNOW, and the Salem News Channel have also been launched under his leadership.

Throughout his nearly 40-year career in the radio broadcast communications industry, Dave has provided leadership in promotions, marketing, sales, and management. A Chicago native, Dave worked for NBC's locally-owned radio station WMAQ for more than 12 years and then for CBS's WBBM for more than eight.

In 2001, Dave felt called to use his talents and abilities in a more significant way and joined Salem to manage the Chicago market. He progressed steadily through Salem ranks, managing both Chicago and Milwaukee assets for Salem, and shortly thereafter was promoted to Ops VP. He served in that role for just 14 months before, in 2010, before being promoted president of Salem’s radio division and later to president of broadcast media, overseeing all local and national business for Salem’s broadcast division.

Due to his depth of expertise in the industry, Dave collaborates with many industry organizations. From June 2021 until June 2023, he served as the joint board chair for the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) and also served as radio board chair prior to that. 

Upon terming out as joint board chair, Dave now sits on the board of the NAB’s Leadership Foundation. He is also a member of the president's council and an executive committee member for NRB (National Religious Broadcasters). In 2024 Dave was the recipient of the National Association of Broadcasters National Radio Award.

He has been featured in the Radio Ink’s “The 40 Most Powerful People in Radio,” for four consecutive years.

Dave and his wife Barb have four adult children, have been married for over 40 years, and reside in Southern California. 

ABOUT THE PODCAST: Chachi Loves Everybody is brought to you by Benztown and hosted by the President of Benztown, Dave “Chachi” Denes. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the myths and legends of the radio and broadcast industry and beyond as they share their unique career paths. Hear how a variety of innovative leaders grow businesses, develop iconic brands, and entertain audiences in this in-depth interview podcast.

ABOUT BENZTOWN: Benztown is a leading international audio imaging, production library, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingle production company with over 3,000 affiliations on six different continents. Benztown provides audio brands and radio stations of all formats with end-to-end imaging and production, making high-quality sound and world- class audio branding a reality for radio stations of all market sizes and budgets. Benztown was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 by Inc. magazine for five consecutive years as one of America’s Fastest-Growing Privately Held Companies. With studios in Los Angeles and Stuttgart, Benztown offers the highest quality audio imaging work parts for 21 libraries across 15 music and spoken word formats including AC, Hot AC, CHR, Country, Hip Hop and R&B, Rhythmic, Classic Hits, Rock, News/Talk, Sports, and JACK. Benztown’s Audio Architecture is one of the only commercial libraries that is built exclusively for radio spots to provide the right music for radio commercials. 

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