J. Michael Francois

J. Michael Francois is Vice President of Programming for R&B, Rhythmic Top 40 and Gospel at SummitMedia, where he provides strategic vision and leadership for the company’s stations in those formats. He works closely with market leaders, program directors and on-air talent to build brands, strengthen connections with listeners and grow audiences.

Francois found radio as a kid in New Orleans, calling in to youth shows until the whole city knew his voice. By eighth grade, he was interning at the station, and a part-time overnight shift in high school became a full-time career. He studied mass communications at Dillard University. He went on to serve as Program Director in Lafayette, Louisiana, starting weeks before Hurricane Katrina, then managed eight stations across Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Known for his strategic approach to programming and his hands-on leadership, Francois builds stations that become the soundtrack to listeners’ lives. He calls himself a lifelong student of his craft.