After 32 years, Littlejohn is retiring from iHeartMedia

There will be another change in the workforce at the country’s largest audio content creation and distribution company, and there will be a new individual perspective on technical and technological needs.

Jeff Littlejohn, a long time iHeartMedia exec, is retiring as the company’s EVP of Engineering.

Steve George succeeds Littlejohn, who will continue to serve in “an active advisory role” for iHeartMedia, “leveraging his unique expertise that has helped the company grow over the past three decades.”

George will lead the overall technical operations, systems and engineering teams that support iHeartMedia’s 860 local broadcast stations in 160 markets.

Littlejohn’s tenure at iHeartMedia predates the company’s birth as Clear Channel Communications’ ownership of the Cincinnati stations he started in 1992. There he was chief engineer and rose through the ranks of an operation linked to the Randy Michaels-led Jacor.

Later, Littlejohn played a key role in creating the first version of the iHeartRadio app; he also worked with Toyota and Ford on the first integration of iHeartRadio into their OEM dashboard entertainment systems. More recently, Littlejohn helped modernize iHeartMedia’s studio facilities and convert to cloud-based audio systems.

Littlejohn is highly respected in the industry and is the recipient of the 2014 NAB Radio Engineering Achievement Award. He is ranked number 3 on RBR+TVBRs List of Top Tech Leaders of 2024, up from No. 4 in 2023.

Hartley Adkins, President of the Markets Group for iHeartMedia said, “There are few people in the industry with the expertise and longevity that Jeff has and we are grateful for the incredible work he has done for iHeart. We have been fortunate to rely on him for more than thirty years and I am so grateful that we can continue to benefit from Jeff in his new advisory role.”

Littlejohn added: “I am truly grateful for the incredible opportunity to have spent 32 years with such an innovative and forward-looking company. It has been a privilege to work with so many talented colleagues to build something that serves our listeners and communities in meaningful ways. As I retire, I want to ensure a smooth transition for Steve George, and I am happy to continue my contribution as an advisor, which will also allow me to spend more time with my family and explore new adventures.”

George, who began his career at iHeartMedia 23 years ago as chief engineer for the Sioux City, Iowa market, said, “I am honored to step into this role and continue the incredible work Jeff has done for iHeartMedia. Jeff’s leadership and guidance have been invaluable to our engineering team, and I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to work and learn from Jeff and many iHeart engineers over the years. I look forward to building on his legacy and the strengths of our excellent technical team.”

George has also served as Regional Director of Engineering for iHeartMedia in Omaha; as regional VP of Engineering for the Midwest; and, prior to his promotion, as VP of Engineering and Systems, where he oversaw many of iHeart’s centralized engineering teams.