WPOZ-FM 88.3 
 Orlando

Original Call Letters: WAEZ 

Originally Licensed: Aug 1995   

Original City of License: Union Park 

Original Frequency: 88.3 

Origin of Call Letters: 

Original Power: 13,000 watts 

Original Location: 

Original Format: Christian Contemporary

Translator(s):  

W250BH-FM 97.9 Melbourne
W227CP-FM 93.3 Orlando
W278BP-FM 103.5 Palm Coast

Network Affiliation(s):

Owner(s):
1995-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.

History Of Call Letters and Formats:
WAEZ-1993-Christian Contemporary 
WEAZ-1994-Christian Contemporary 
WPOZ-1995-Christian Contemporary     "Positive Hits Z88.3" 

WPOZ History
On Aug 9th 1995 at 2:45 AM, WPOZ-FM 88.3, Orlando was born.  The station ran a stunt loop for the first three days.  On Aug 13th, Dean O’Neal started building the “Planet’s Hottest Music,” one song at a time starting with the “Church of Rhythm” until the official sign on 6:00 AM,  Monday the 14th.  The staff  was up all night getting everything ready. The loop had three voices: Dean O’Neal, Jon Hull …and Therese Romano.  Jon and Therese did the first morning show 25 years ago.

WPOZ Turns 20!      8-16-15
WPOZ-FM 88.3 has celebrated their 20th Anniversary this month. Z88.3 also became a full Class C station. They now  broadcast at 100,000 watts which is the most powerful designation for an FM station in the country. Happy birthday and congratulations!

WPOZ Personalities


Dean O'Neal-1993-Vice President/General Manager/Program Director/2PM-7PM/2020-Vice President of Operations-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
John Hull-1993-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Therese Romano-2018-Weekends/2020-Program Director-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.

 


Scott W. Smith-1996-5:30AM-10AM/Music Director/2000-2007-Morning co-host with Lisa Williams-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Jeff Cruz-1996-2011-Assistant Program Director/Music Director-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Lisa Williams-1998-Middays/Morning co-host with Scott Smith/Promotions Manager-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Tyler McKenzie-1993-Morning co-host-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc. Biography
Feb 2008-Tyler will team with Ellis B. Feaster-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.



Sierra Allmand-2007-Receptionist/Morning show Producer-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Ellis B. Feaster-2008-Morning co-host with Tyler McKenzie-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc. Biography


Tate Luck-2011-Assistant Program Director-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Suzanne Lynn Cheesman-2011-2023-Evenings-6PM-11PM/2011-"Afternoons with Suzanne and Deano"/2014-"Afternoons with Suzanne and Shadow"-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Jennifer Winborn-2012-Assistant Program Director/Music Director/2PM-7PM with Dean O'Neal-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.   


Tracy Leek-2012-2PM-7PM-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Carter Kenyon-2013-Director of Ministry Advancement-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.



Shadow Stevens (Rod Grant)-2014-2014/2015-Mornings with Ellis and Tyler/"Afternoons with Suzanne and Shadow"-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.




Tom Dupree-2015-Evenings-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.

 



Ruthie Velez-2016-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.

 


Cindy Simmons-2019-10AM-2PM-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.




Coppelia (Acevedo)-2019-2023-Afternoon co-host with Shadow/Program Director for La Z 102.5-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.



Dan Connors-2020-Mon-Fri-6PM-10PM/2023-Mid days-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.



Paco Lopez-2023-6PM-10PM-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.   Biography


Carrie Law-Morning show producer-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Melony McKaye-Mid-days-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Alana Chambers-Ministry Coordinator/7PM-Midnight-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Jim Davis-Noon-3PM-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.



Tim Wolf-6PM-Midnight/Overnights-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Tom Russell-Midnight-6AM-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Doug Hughs-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


Theresa Ross-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.



Kevin Baldinger-Traffic-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc. Biography



Grace Vasquez-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc. 


Other Names in WPOZ History



Jim Hoge-1993-Founder/ President/ General Manager-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.

Judy Wise-2001-Office Manager-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Gisele Chambers-2003-Receptionist/Volunteers-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Sheila Lipinski-2005-Accounts Receivable-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Jennifer Rose-2006-Production Assistant-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.



Randy Woods-Director Of Engineering/Technical Director-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Jim Davis-Underwriting Coordinator-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.




Carol Ellingson-2004-2019-Promotions Director/2020-Social Media Director/Air Talent-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.

Debbie Schrack-Promotions Assistant-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.

Cathy Ligato-Executive Assistant / Engineering Coordinator-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.

Reggie Kidd-Staff Chaplain-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Mark Chambers-Chief Engineer-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.
Ray Hill-Website Producer-Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc.


WPOZ took home three Christian Music Broadcasters "Echo Awards" and a Gospel Music Association "Station of the Year Award" at GMA Music Week 2007. From left to right Scott Smith of the Z88.3 Morning Show, Z88.3’s President/General Manager Jim Hoge and Z88.3’s Program Director/Operations Manager Dean O’Neal.

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