After 45 years in the radio industry, serving in many roles, Merl Grabowski is retiring in September from the Radio New England Broadcast Group.

Merl started his career, in July 1980, working part time on weekends at WSTJ-AM 1340 in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont,  After earning a communications degree from Lyndon State College, Merl started working at WYKR in Wells River as an announcer, mostly working weekends, then weekday afternoons.  Then, Merl worked briefly, as part of the morning show team at WMTK-106.3FM, Littleton, NH before accepting his first full time announcer job in 1987 at WIKE, Newport, VT.  In 1988, he worked at WCVR, Randolph, VT, eventually promoted to Program Director.  In late 1988, Alan Noyes hired Merl to be the Morning Drive Time Announcer and Operations Manager at WSNO/WORK, Barre, VT.  In 1995, Merl traded his microphone for a sales book and was hired back at WYKR-101.3FM.  He worked for the Puffer Family for many years until August 2018, when he got married, moved to Newport, and started working for Vermont Broadcast Associates.  In 2021, he returned to WYKR until September 2024, eventually promoted to Sales Manager, under new ownership.  Merl’s final job was the Group Sales Manager for the Radio New England Broadcast group, representing multiple radio stations serving Northern New Hampshire, and Northeastern Vermont.  Merl continues to live in Newport, with his wife Darlene, and family.