Chicago's program director shuffle

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: Boss jocks : Chicago radio stations shuffle new lineup of program directors : : New guys suddenly are calling the shots at radio stations all over town. : In just the last couple of weeks, program directors have come and gone at three stations owned by Clear Channel Radio and two owned by CBS Radio. : Several of the moves were triggered by the promotion last month of Darren Davis to senior vice president of programming for Clear Channel, overseeing 148 mid-market stations. : In his previous role as vice president of programming and operations for Clear Channel in Chicago, Davis also was program director of adult-contemporary WLIT-FM (93.9) and smooth jazz WNUA-FM (95.5). : Named to succeed Davis here as programming and operations chief and as program director of "Lite FM" was Tony Coles, who'd been working for Clear Channel in Portland, Ore., as a regional vice president of programming as well as operations manager and program director for radio stations in that market. : Coles' 23-year career has spanned the country, although he's a newcomer to Chicago. : Moving up to replace Davis as program director of WNUA is veteran Chicago broadcaster Rick O'Dell, who continues as midday host and music director. : A pioneer of the smooth jazz format and one of the market's highest-rated personalities, O'Dell joined WNUA in 1989 from the former WCLR. : Earl Jones, president and Chicago market manager of Clear Channel, called O'Dell "an icon in Chicago radio." : Another Clear Channel change came to rhythmic Top 40 WKSC-FM (103.5), where Rick Gillette left after two years as program director to move back to California with his family. : Replacing him at Kiss FM is Rick Vaughn, who most recently was program director of WIOQ-FM in Philadelphia. : An additional vacancy was created by the resignation of Mike Peterson, who had been program director of CBS Radio country WUSN-FM (99.5) for four years. Since last November, he also has served as program director of adult contemporary WCFS-FM (105.9). : Peterson said he was leaving to run his family's business, a shade tree nursery, in Oregon. : Until a replacement is hired, programming at US 99.5 and "Fresh FM" will be overseen by Dave Robbins, vice president and general manager. : (FEDER/Sun-Times)

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