Kathy Voltmer

After more than 15 years as morning news anchor at WDRV FM 97.1, Chicago radio veteran Kathy Voltmer has signed off from the Hubbard Radio classic rock station.

Friday marked Voltmer’s last day as news and public affairs manager at The Drive. Her departure coincided with a change in morning hosts at the station.

“The end of 2016 marks the completion of a long and very rewarding journey for me,” Voltmer told friends on Facebook. “Today was my final day at 97.1 FM The Drive. Thanks to all of the listeners, co-workers, bosses and advertisers that helped make it the professional ride of a lifetime. I am deeply grateful for the past 15½ years and I look forward to where the road takes me in 2017 and beyond. Wishing all my Facebook friends and family a very happy, healthy New Year!”

Drew Horowitz, president and chief operating officer of Hubbard Radio, posted a message of appreciation on Voltmer’s page: “Thank you for all you have done to make The Drive great. Your professionalism was at the pinnacle of the industry and your warm and sharing nature was special. Wishing you a happy life for which you are deserving,” he wrote.

Last Halloween The Drive launched a new morning show hosted by the team of Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle. At the time, program director Rob Cressman said Voltmer would be shifted to a public service role.

Voltmer joined The Drive at its inception in 2001 from Window to the World Communications WTTW-Channel 11, where she had been a contributing correspondent for “Chicago Tonight.”

A Chicago area native and graduate of the University of Illinois, Voltmer began at WPGU in Champaign before landing her first full-time job in Chicago at WBBM FM 96.3. Along the way she also worked at WKQX FM 101.1, WBBM AM 780, the former WLUP AM, WXRT FM 93.1, WMVP AM 1000, and the former WMAQ AM.