When a respected Operations Manager retires, the story isn’t just about who is leaving.
It’s about who is next.
With Tee Gentry officially retiring from Beasley Media Group’s Augusta cluster on July 31, 2026, one of the Southeast’s most stable programming operations suddenly finds itself facing one of its biggest leadership questions in years. After decades of guiding brands, coaching talent, and helping shape the sound of Augusta radio, Gentry leaves behind more than an empty office. He leaves behind an opportunity—and perhaps a challenge—for Beasley as it determines who ultimately steers the cluster into its next chapter.
Here’s where things become interesting.
Earlier this year, Beasley made a move that raised more than a few eyebrows when it brought Adam Star back into the company following the sale of the Fort Myers cluster. Star immediately stepped into the role of Program Director for Augusta, with the company making it clear he would work alongside both Tee Gentry and longtime Augusta programmer Chris O’Kelley.
Now, with Tee officially stepping away, the natural question becomes…
Was Adam Star always being positioned for something bigger?
No one outside the company knows the answer today.
But it’s certainly a question worth asking.
Adam Star is unquestionably a “Beasley guy.” He understands the company’s culture, has already served in senior programming leadership, and was brought back into the organization after the Fort Myers stations changed ownership. Companies don’t typically recruit experienced programmers simply to maintain the status quo. They bring them in because they believe those leaders can influence the future.
Could Adam Star become the logical successor to oversee cluster programming responsibilities?
It’s certainly possible.
But there is another side to this story.
Augusta isn’t exactly short on talent.
Quite the opposite.
There are several veteran programmers and managers inside that building who know those stations, know the audience, know the market, and have spent years helping build the success Beasley enjoys today. Internal experience still matters in radio, and this cluster has plenty of it.
That brings me to a personal reflection.
Years ago, I had the privilege of spending time inside that very building programming WDRR-FM, then known as Bob-FM. While my overlap with Tee Gentry lasted only about two weeks, I did have the opportunity to work alongside Chris O’Kelley, who was serving as Operations Manager at the time.
Chris has always struck me as someone who understands both programming and people. He knows Augusta. He knows Beasley. He knows the personalities, the stations, and the culture that has helped make that cluster successful over the years.
So I can’t help but wonder…
How does Chris O’Kelley view this moment?
That’s not criticism.
That’s not speculation about anyone’s future.
It’s simply the kind of question many people in our industry naturally ask when leadership transitions happen.
Does Beasley continue elevating the executive it recently brought in?
Does it further expand Adam Star’s responsibilities?
Does Chris O’Kelley become an even larger part of the equation?
Or does the company decide that the current structure already gives everyone exactly the role they need?
At this point, nobody outside Beasley knows.
And that’s exactly what makes this story fascinating.
One thing I do know is this…
Beasley doesn’t build successful clusters by accident.
Leadership transitions like this are rarely made overnight. Companies spend months—and sometimes years—thinking through succession planning, especially when someone as respected as Tee Gentry prepares to retire.
Whatever direction Beasley ultimately chooses, the company has assembled a talented bench of broadcasters capable of keeping Augusta moving forward.
For those of us who have walked those hallways, programmed those stations, and watched that cluster grow through the years, this is one of those moments we’ll all be watching closely.
Because while Tee Gentry’s remarkable career has officially reached its final chapter…
The next chapter for Beasley Augusta is just beginning.
— Steven Mills
President & Publisher
On The Dial
On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, leadership transitions, programming strategy, and the stories shaping the future of broadcasting across America. Today’s story represents industry analysis and informed perspective based on publicly available information. Until Beasley announces additional leadership changes, any discussion regarding future responsibilities remains informed opinion, not confirmed fact.
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