Jeff was born and raised in Antigo, Wisconsin and after attending UW Stevens Point, he spent his early business career in the restaurant field. He and his wife Joyce managed and owned a “Dog n Suds” franchise in Antigo.
In 1979, he
accepted a sales position with radio stations WRLO 105.3 FM and WATK 900 AM in
Antigo. Jeff was then promoted to Sales Manager at the stations. In 1988, the
stations were sold to Jeff and a group of investors. In 1992, they added
another FM WACD 106.1 FM to the Antigo cluster.
In 1997 the
Antigo stations were sold to Marathon Media, Chicago. Marathon added stations
in Rhinelander and Minocqua which created the current NRG north radio station
group. Wagner served as Regional Manager of the Marathon group.
Jeff also
worked for Badger Communications in Marinette, Berner Broadcasting in Eagle
River and the original Heartland ownership that owned 13 stations in Wisconsin
and Michigan,
He spent 9
years from 2010 to 2019 working in the Antigo and Rhinelander markets for the
Grassman family and Results broadcasting.
He is now
pleased to be back with the growing Heartland group owned by Jim and Diane
Coursolle.
In 2018 he was awarded the WBA “Legends in Broadcasting” award for combined broadcasting longevity and community service.
Jeff and his
wife Joyce have been married for over 47 years have 2 children and 3
grandchildren.