Sachem alum and radio business executive Victor Canales, or Vic Latino as you know him through his on-air personality, was selected as one of Long Island Business News’ 40-under-40 for 2013.
The following is the text on LIBN’s website about Vic’s selection to the prestigious annual list:
The first time Victor Canales turned on a microphone, the entertainment bug bit him. Canales is better known to local radio listeners as DJ Vic Latino from the daily WPTY Party 105.3 FM morning show “Vic Latino & Goldapper in the Morning.”
A recognized radio DJ/host, TV personality and entrepreneur, Canales earned his status after achieving what few other radio personalities have ever accomplished.
He reached No. 1 status in the toughest and most lucrative radio market with his daily prime-time stint on WKTU FM in New York City. He left WKTU in 2007 and returned to his Long Island roots when he and his business partner, John Caracciolo, formed JVC Media and purchased a radio empire consisting of WPTY, WBON La Fiesta 98.5 FM, WJVC My Country 96.1 FM and WRCN ROCK 103.9 FM – all located on Long Island.
“It was at the closing for the purchase of WPTY and WBON in 2009 and the beginning of JVC Broadcasting that I knew my career had come full-circle,” Canales said. “That is when I truly felt all the trials and tribulations were well worth it.”
His empire also includes the Pennysaver Amphitheater, an open-air venue that holds 7,000 people in Farmingville. Canales’ radio popularity has made him a favorite of TV producers and he has regularly appeared on network TV doing everything from hosting, to giving commentary on breaking entertainment stories and reviewing the hottest CD and DVD releases. He landed an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show where he did the opening monologue with DeGeneres and remained to DJ the show.
He has also appeared on reality shows Real Housewives of New Jersey, Growing up Gotti and My Super Sweet 16. Canales is also a successful club DJ/producer. Known within the music industry as “The Man with the Golden Ear to Pick a Hit,” he has released 10 successful dance/electronica CDs, all of which reached the top 5 on the Billboard dance/electronica charts.
He currently tours the world with his DJ partner and NBA Hall of Famer Denis Rodman. Canales continues to have future goals.
“Earlier in my career, my goal was to work in New York City radio; I did that at WKTU,” he said. “It would be an honor to go back and purchase one of the big signals of New York City and own a station in the No. 1 radio market in America.”
RELATED: Check out Sachem’s Notable Alumni List
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro