Business Spotlight: The Voice Radio Network

BY REGINA DONATO

According to 2020 census data, over 10% of Delawareans are Hispanic. This number is growing yearly, especially in Sussex County where populations rose nearly 60% since 2010. An increased population means an increased demand for media that caters to this audience. Despite Spanish being the second-most spoken language in the state, there was little-to-no representation within Delaware media for years. Kevin Andrade, CEO of The Voice Radio Network in Georgetown, sought to change that.

Andrade started his career as a radio broadcaster over 30 years ago in Ecuador, his native country. He took a risk and left his success in Ecuador to make a life and career for himself in the United States. Turning down opportunities in Latin-rich Miami, he settled in Delaware and took advantage of the striking lack of Hispanic radio stations in the state. “At first, I had no idea where Delaware was, but I visited here and I fell in love,” he reflects. “Everything I saw on the horizon was full of opportunity.”

Andrade began breaking the mold in Delaware by hosting a Spanish Sunday radio show on WGMD 92.7 for several years. There was nothing like it at the time in the area. In 2010, Andrade took another leap by leasing WJWL 900 AM in Georgetown. After the owner of this station passed away, the family sold the radio group. Andrade jumped on the opportunity.

In 2014, the sale was solidified, resulting in Andrade purchasing four FM and two AM stations. This package of stations became The Voice Radio Network, which currently employs a staff of 29 and operates 10 frequencies throughout the region, reaching people of all races and cultures in all three Delaware counties, as well as neighboring states Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. The Voice Radio Network was proudly the first minorityowned radio group in the region.

“I don’t like to be the boss; I like to be a leader,” says Andrade. “I like to build resources and opportunities for my staff and the community.” In the last nine years, Andrade and his team has fostered quite a diverse and supportive company culture at their Georgetown headquarters.

“We facilitate a cohesive and productive environment and culture here. There are many departments within the Voice Radio Network, who all work together as a team when projects are at hand,” explains Sales Director Erin Wood. “And that is beneficial to not only those who work here, but also to people of Delmarva, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, because we serve both Spanish and English-speaking communities.”

Taking the impact of this company even further, Andrade received an offer in February of last year acquire Radio Centro in Ecuador. Through the purchase of the four frequencies in this radio group, The Voice Radio Network’s reach is now intercontinental, with one station now ranked as the top news station in Ecuador. Coincidentally enough, this is one of the stations where Andrade started his radio career nearly three decades ago. The full circle moment is not lost on him.

“I’m very proud of being owner of a station that serves every community in Delaware and beyond,” remarks Andrade. “I feel like I’ve been blessed. My team, my family, and the community around me are a fantastic and important part of what we do here every single day.”