Myers Mermel, who sought the Vermont Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2022 and then served as president of the Ethan Allen Institute, is the buyer of the chain of radio stations once owned by WDEV owner/operator Ken Squier, who died last year. 

The following press release was issued by WDEV shortly after noon today:

The Radio Vermont Group has announced the sale of its radio  assets WDEV AM 550 and FM 96.1; WLVB FM 93.9; WCVT FM 101.7; W243AT-FM 96.5; W252CU-FM 98.3;  and W273AM-FM 102.5 to Mermel & McLain Management LLC of Manchester, Vermont. 

The radio stations broadcast to Central Vermont, Burlington, and most of the NEK.  

The sale was announced to employees this morning. Ashley Jane Squier joined GM Steve Cormier,  Myers Mermel, and Scott Milne announced the transition to Vermont live on WDEV at 12:35 PM today. 

Ashley Jane Squier of the Radio Vermont Group said, “While these past couple months have been a sad  time for our family, we are gratified to have found Vermonters to step up and continue the rich tradition  of our treasured radio stations. During the last months of his life, my father Ken Squier was involved in  our search for a buyer who would continue the independent radio legacy our family has built at WDEV  and its sister stations for over 92 years. Beginning with my grandfather Lloyd Squier in 1931, the Squier family has been honored to serve Vermonters’ families and communities. We now feel confident that the  stations will be in good hands to hold true to their legacy.” 

Myers Mermel of Mermel & McLain Management LLC said, “We are thankful to the Squier family for their  years of dedication to Vermont and to community radio. WDEV is the leading News/Talk/Sports station, and its community format builds social trust across our community. It keeps Vermont, and all its people,  knit together. We look forward to continuing and enhancing community radio at WDEV with the same  emphasis on even-handed reporting and commentary- as well as humor-which has been its hallmark.”

Radio Vermont Group has signed a binding contract with Mermel & McLain Management LLC and expects  to finalize the transfer of assets over the next few months.  

Ashley Jane Squier is the current owner operator of Radio Vermont Group. Ashley lives in Waterbury with  her husband Robbie Crouch- known to many local racing fans by a name bestowed upon him by Ken Squier  as “the Tampa Tornado.” Ashley teaches as a literacy specialist at the Montessori School of Central Vermont in Barre. She summarizes the mission of her family’s business as “serving our community by  providing relevant information and a forum for all voices to be heard.” 

Myers Mermel of Manchester, Vermont will be the new owner operator of Radio Vermont. Myers has  Vermont roots going back to the Green Mountain Boys and is a 1984 graduate of UVM. Myers appreciates the responsibility of succeeding the Squier family and is thankful for the work of Glen A. Wright of Radio Vermont Group in this transaction. He is putting his other business pursuits on hold to devote his full  attention to WDEV and Radio Vermont as of today. 

Scott Milne, a well-known local business owner, and longtime supporter of Radio Vermont and the Squier  family, is an investor and has been integral to the acquisition. He will be a key advisor and supporter of  Radio Vermont going forward. “I know how valuable radio can be to a small business’s chances of success. Keeping Radio Vermont local and community based will be good for our communities, good for Vermont  families and very good for Vermont’s economy. I am grateful to be playing a part in all of this.”