Mary Hoxeng and her husband, Dave, launched Cat Country 98.7 in 2003. Meet the force behind the waves, the woman who helped bring Cat Country 98.7 to life and build a family of radio stations that resonate with Pensacolians.
Recently, she reflected on the changes witnessed, both personally and professionally. Before conquering the airwaves, Hoxeng’s career began in the bustling world of advertising in New York. A media buyer for giants like Bristol Myers and Proctor & Gamble, she then transitioned to television advertising, making her mark as the national sales manager for FOX TV in San Antonio.
Then, life took a different path. The quest for a new frequency in Pensacola led the Hoxengs all the way to the Supreme Court to get their application approved. In 2003, Cat Country 98.7 was finally born. As she reminisces about the early days, Hoxeng acknowledges the seismic shifts in the industry. With streaming, Alexa and websites, radio has evolved, yet the Hoxengs’ broadcasts remain a local powerhouse of live, local talent in an era of consolidation.
But the story is not just about Hoxeng — it’s about the family at the heart of the radio domain. Starting with Cat Country 98.7, the station group expanded to include NewsRadio 92.3, ESPN Pensacola and Pensacola’s Playlist 94.5. The network of stations has earned many prestigious awards and recognition on the national country music scene. These include the Academy of Country Music Awards Station of the Year, Country Music Association Station of the Year and National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award for superb community service.
The key to their success? An incredible team of passionate individuals dedicated to community service.
“I look at everyone on our team as part of our family,” Hoxeng said.
Each team member is involved in community service, while the Hoxengs support numerous nonprofits, attend countless fundraisers and donate thousands of hours of airtime to promote worthy causes throughout their listening area.
Hoxeng shares a unique partnership — not just in business, but in life. Working alongside Dave, they navigate the challenges of business 24/7. As she leads the day-to-day operations, he focuses on engineering and technology, creating a dynamic balance that turns their differences into strengths. Their ability to complement each other’s work style is the secret behind their success.
“We include each other in anything of importance,” she said.
Running a business isn’t just about numbers and frequencies; it’s about community support, grit and facing the fears of being the ones in charge every single day. With no corporate office to lean on, they stand as captains of their own destiny.
Yet, amid the chaos of frequencies and business decisions, the Hoxengs have forged a unique family — each member playing a vital role, many of them for over a decade. In unison they move with determination, passion, the support of a community that embraces the entire Cat Country 98.7 family and the careful orchestration of a skilled matriarch.
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Magi Thomley Williams, ACB, ALB is a corporate consultant, writer, speaker, and trainer at Thomley Consulting. She can be reached at Magi@ThomleyConsulting.com
