Jeff J. Coelho, a longtime broadcast executive, is returning to Island radio as general manager of Salem Communication's seven Hawai'i stations.

Coelho has been a member of Mayor Mufi Hannemann's cabinet since 2005, initially as managing director, then executive adviser and director of the Customer Services Department for the past 2 1/2 years.

"I wasn't looking to leave the city, but Salem presented me with an opportunity that is very exciting," Coelho said in a statement.

As general manager of Salem here, Coelho — who has four decades of experience in Island radio — will oversee KAIM (95.5 FM), KGMZ (107.9 FM), KGU (760 AM), KHCM (880 AM), KHCM (97.5 FM), KHNR (690 AM) and KHUI (99.5 FM).

The Salem offices are on King Street, in Kalihi, a block from Coelho's alma mater, Farrington High School.

Joe D. Davis, president of Salem's Radio Division, called Coelho "a thoroughly experienced broadcaster with a knowledge of the market and a depth of history in the industry that is exceptional."

Coelho was general manager of KOFY radio and general sales manager of KOFY-TV in San Francisco from 1986 to 1987. He returned to Honolulu in 1987 and was manager and owner-operator of KUMU and KAHA radio. From 1988 to 2004, he was part of Visionary Communications' stable of stations, which included KQMQ, KPOI and The Bomb.

Coelho also served two terms on the Hawai'i Convention Center Authority and was chairman of the convention center's three-day grand opening in June 1998.