Big, Loud, Proud: Still on the job through the end of July, iHeartMedia EVP & GM/National Programming Platforms and Country Brand Manager Clay Hunnicutt has a lot going on as he segues to a new role as President of Big Loud Records, a new division of Big Loud Mountain publishing and management company owned and operated by Joey Moi, Craig Wiseman, Seth England and Kevin "Chief" Zaruk (Breaking News 6/29). "To be able to work with four professionals as accomplished, established and credible as them is something I couldn't pass up," Hunnicutt says. "This is a great transition in my life – really stepping off the ledge and trying something completely and utterly different is an exciting challenge."

Part of his charge over the next month includes leaving the Country captain's chair in good hands. "Obviously it's one of the most prestigious jobs in the company since Country is our biggest format, so a lot of qualified people are going to raise their hand. I'll certainly help in that process and transition."

But the move isn't an end to his relationship with radio. "The great part is I'll still get to work with all my Country programmers, just in a very different way," he says. "Our iHeart Country team will continue to be incredibly successful and they've all been very supportive and congratulatory. It's bittersweet, because I'm excited for this new adventure, but I'm really sad to be leaving a lot of people I really love working with.

Hunnicutt's 24-year career began as an unpaid intern at WUSY/Chattanooga, TN, where he eventually rose to PD. He's also served as Dir./Programming for iHeartMedia's Nashville and Atlanta markets, VP/Programming for the company's Southeast markets and SVP/Programming for its Eastern region. Hunnicutt rose from EVP/Programming to his latest position more than a year ago (Breaking News 2/24/14). He's handled day-to-day programming for stations including WSIX/Nashville and WGAR/Cleveland.