Galaxy Media Partners Founder, President and CEO Ed Levine plans to retire later this year after nearly five decades in broadcasting and 36 years leading the independent media company he founded in Utica, NY.
Levine launched Galaxy Media Partners in 1990 with a single radio station operating out of a diner in Utica. The company eventually grew to 15 radio stations across Central and Upstate New York, making Galaxy one of the state’s largest independently owned media companies.
Following the sale of Galaxy’s Albany stations in 2006, the company concentrated on its Syracuse and Utica operations while expanding into live events. Galaxy developed several major regional events, including Taste of Syracuse, Syracuse Nationals, Lights on the Lake and its Wine & Chocolate Festivals.
“It’s been a wonderful ride over the past 36 years,” Levine said. “It’s hard to believe I was 33 when I started the company, and now I’m 70. Where did the time go?”
Levine said his priorities have shifted as he looks toward the next stage of his life, particularly following the birth of his grandson last year. His daughter and son-in-law live near him in Charlotte, NC.
“Spending more time with my family has become increasingly important, and I know this is the right time to begin a new chapter,” he said.
Levine began his radio career at Syracuse’s WAER before co-founding “95X” WAQX in 1978. The station became one of Central New York’s influential rock outlets. Levine later held leadership positions in Albany, Houston and Washington, DC, before returning to Upstate New York in 1990 to launch WKLL, the station that became the foundation of Galaxy Media Partners.
He was later inducted into the WAER Hall of Fame for his contributions to broadcasting.
Beyond his work at Galaxy, Levine founded the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame, which recently marked its 20th anniversary. The organization honors radio and television professionals who have made significant contributions to broadcasting in New York. Levine also received the Jim and Juli Boeheim Award for community service.
While Levine is stepping away from Galaxy, he doesn’t plan to leave the business world. He said he intends to focus on experiential media and live events, with plans to establish a new events company in the Carolinas.
“I have no intention of retiring from building businesses,” Levine said. “I believe the experiential media and live events industry have an incredibly bright future, and I intend to focus my efforts on building a new events company based in the Carolinas.”
Galaxy, which owns 13 full signal radio stations and several FM translators, says additional details about its leadership succession and Levine’s retirement date will be announced in the coming weeks.