Dowagiac graduate Kent Fulmer has returned to the local radio station, which is now more powerful.

Fulmer, a 1983 Union High School graduate, has signed on as WGTO Classic Hits 101 station manager and sales boss, owner Larry Langford announced Wednesday.

Since leaving Dowagiac, Fulmer, of Elkhart, Ind., owned a radio station in Goshen, Ind., and sold trumpets for Woodwind and Brasswind.

After attending Lake Michigan College near Benton Harbor, Fulmer began his Cass County radio experience as host of the “Coffee Time” program on the now defunct WDOW.

He also did news and was an on-air personality while serving as operations manager.

He and his wife, Donna, have two daughters. Sarah, 21, attends Indiana University South Bend (IUSB). Becky, who turns 16 July 4, attends Jimtown High School.

Fulmer said Thursday he is looking forward to re-establishing old relationships and making new ones.

“I’m excited to be coming back to radio in the community where I grew up,” he said. “I’m a big believer in the importance of quality local radio to smaller communities like Dowagiac. Having a local radio station is a treasure that needs to be a big part of the business and social community. There will be even more emphasis on local high school sports and I will interact daily with our business and civic leaders as a local home-grown manager.”

Langford said, “Kent brings the knowledge of a 25-year career in radio back to his roots here in Cass County. He will work fulltime to make WGTO the local voice of Dowagiac and Cass County. Our recent power increase to 3,000 watts will better our reach and penetration to every part of Cass, Berrien and Van Buren counties.”

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the power increase to WGTO, which is running at 910 AM at 3,000 watts while maintaining local FM service at 101.1.

Plans include bringing back morning news and expanding the “Swap Shop” program heard Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. with host “Wildman” (Jonathan Wildes), as well as adding a weekend request program.

WGTO studios are located at 26914 Marcellus Highway, with transmitters on O’Keefe Road near Cassopolis.