2021 40 Under 40 Yearbook: Don Louzader

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Then: News Director, KTTS
Now: News Director, Zimmer Communications' 
Springfield stations

Don Louzader in June celebrates his 30th anniversary in the radio industry. Most recently, he became news director over Zimmer Communications’ Springfield stations, including soft rock station The Dove and sports talk channel The Jock, in December.

“The thing I liked about the company is it’s owned right here in Missouri,” Louzader, 51, says of the switch to Zimmer after 25 years with KTTS. “They know your first name.”

He also praises Zimmer Communications for bringing Kevin Howard and Liz Delany back to the airwaves. The radio industry is personal to Louzader, who met his wife, Chris, during his first year at KTTS at a company Christmas party. While his wife now works at Opfer Communications, the couple recently filled in together as the hosts of “Springfield’s Happy Hour” on KWTO.

Best advice to young professionals? Get involved in as many things as you can, as many organizations as you can. Building relationships is critical for your own growth and also for whatever company you work with.