Tom Athans
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Tom Athans (born 1961) is a member of the Democratic Party from the state of Michigan, and is widely considered the originator of the progressive talk radio format in the United States. Athans was co-founder and former CEO of Democracy Radio, an organization that created and produced progressive talk radio shows that included The Ed Schultz Show and The Stephanie Miller Show. After his tenure at Democracy Radio, he joined Air America as Executive Vice President for Programming. Athans is married to Senator Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat of Michigan.
[edit] Professional history
In 2002 by Tom Athans and Paul Fiddick founded Democracy Radio, an organization dedicated to creating political balance on America's commercial radio airwaves. The concept was to develop and incubate progressive oriented talk programming and enlist radio networks to market the programs to stations around the country. Democracy Radio developed and produced talk shows that launched the national careers of Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller, among others. On June 8, 2005, Democracy Radio sold its stake in The Ed Schultz Show to a new company headed by veteran radio executive Randy Michaels, the former CEO of Clear Channel Radio. In November 2005, Democracy Radio's partner in The Stephanie Miller Show, WYD Media headed by radio industry veteran Ron Hartenbaum, purchased Democracy Radio's shares and assumed sole ownership of the venture. On November 4, 2005, Athans stepped down as CEO of Democracy Radio.
After stepping down from Democracy Radio, Athans became the Executive Vice-President of Air America, a much larger but similar organization. Athans was in charge of developing new programming to expand Air America's lineup. He also headed Air America’s Washington, D.C. corporate office.
After Air America underwent bankruptcy procedures in late 2006, Athans co-founded TalkUSA Radio, a progressive radio production company. Talk USA launched The Leslie Marshall Show and Washington Monthly on the Radio into national syndication.
Athans is currently Vice President of Helicon Holdings, LLC. in Detroit, Michigan.
[edit] Personal facts
Athans, of Greek descent, was born in Detroit.
He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Michigan Air National Guard.
He was formerly a Congressional Aide in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
He was elected to the Oxford Village Council in 1996 and served two terms. He was Council President in 2001.
He served as a volunteer with various organizations including the Oakland County Youth Assistance, North Oakland Transportation Authority, Huntington Woods Police Reserves, Oxford Planning Commission, and the Polly Ann Trail Council.
He currently resides in Lansing with his wife, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. He has one grown daughter, Gina, from a former marriage. He also has two grown stepchildren.
He admitted to authorities in Troy, Michigan in February 2008 to engaging in a sex act with a prostitute but was never formally charged. On April 3, 2008, Athans made a public statement, "No words can fully express how sorry I am. At the time this incident occurred, I took responsibility for my actions and fully cooperated with law enforcement. My family and I are dealing with this matter in a personal and private way."
