Bruce James, owner of Vermont Broadcast Associates, is selling his seven Northeast Kingdom radio stations to Vermont Senator Russ Ingalls from Newport.

James founded the radio group 35 years ago starting with a single station in Lyndonville and grew his broadcast group to become a market leader covering 1/3 of Vermont and northern New Hampshire.

James, who is a VAB Hall of Fame broadcaster, has led his group with a hands-on local approach. The broadcaster said that while he enjoys the radio business and being able to have a positive impact on the communities his radio stations serve, he’s looking forward to retirement and handing over the day-to-day operations to a company with strong local ties. Russell Ingalls is this person, James says. “I’ve known Russ for over twenty-five years and have seen him contributing to the area’s success and his involvement in the local communities,” James said, “Russ will continue the tradition of strong local radio.”

“I’ve loved the radio business for years and have watched Bruce grow his company into a tremendously respected radio group that truly serves the local communities it operates in,” said Senator Ingalls. “I, too, am committed to serving the local communities in northeastern Vermont and northern New Hampshire, as I have done over the years as owner of Remax All Seasons Real Estate, to which I will continue to do in conjunction. I plan to grow both companies even more as we introduce all 7 radio stations into social and electronic media, offering our advertisers a greater value in reaching their customers,” Ingalls continued. Russ Ingalls’ company, Green Mountain Broadcasters, will operate radio stations WMOO, JJ Country and WIKE in Newport, plus Magic 97.7, Kix 105.5 and WSTJ in the St. Johnsbury area, in addition to WMTK The Notch in Littleton, NH. Ingalls says the radio stations’ current staff is highly regarded and will continue with the new ownership.