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KPLU names new general manager
January 05, 2007
Paul Stankavich has been named general manager of KPLU, succeeding Martin Neeb who recently retired after more than 25 years at the station.
Stankavich, 60, will leave his post as president and general manager of Alaska Public Media in Anchorage, where he now oversees day-to-day operations of the Alaska Public Radio Network, KAKM-TV and KSKA-FM.
“KPLU is one of the nation’s premier public radio stations and one which, in my judgment, is the best jazz and information station in the world,” Stankavich said. “It is a privilege to join the KPLU team.”
He will begin at KPLU on April 2.
At Alaska Public Media, Stankavich managed a staff of 42 and provided leadership and direction to a seven-member management team. He developed strategies to meet a five-year business plan, encourage support from the Alaska legislature and Alaska congressional delegation, and secure adequate financial resources to support operations. He led major projects in digital television, building remodeling, a merger with Alaska Public Radio Network and played a leading role in public broadcasting’s statewide activities.
Stankavich also worked in management for Northwest Public Radio and Television (an affiliate of WSU), in Bellingham and at KZAZ in Bellingham. He worked at WQLN-TV in Erie, Pa., at KAWE/KAWB in Bemidji, Minn., at the University of Wisconsin (Menomonie) Stout Teleproduction Center and at WKBF-TV in Cleveland, Ohio.
He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. His many community activities in Alaska and in Washington state include serving as president of the board of directors of Alaska Public Broadcasting Governor’s Task Force on Literacy for Alaska.
Neeb, who started working at KPLU in 1981, guided the progression of KPLU-FM from a classical music format to jazz and made it a premier member of National Public Radio, heard by millions from Victoria, B.C., to Astoria, Ore., and around the world online.
He continues to lead a fund-raising campaign for the construction of a new broadcast center on the PLU campus. It will replace the current overcrowded and outdated main KPLU studio facilities – the same facilities the station has been in since it went on the air 40 years ago.
Kerry Swanson, who served as interim general manager, will leave the station at the end of the month, as the administrative structure at KPLU no longer includes a COO. In his 20 years at KPLU, Swanson served on the air as one of the station’s first overnight jazz hosts; led station operations, development and new media; and was the chief operating officer and interim general manager.
Learn more about KPLU at www.kplu.org.
“KPLU is one of the nation’s premier public radio stations and one which, in my judgment, is the best jazz and information station in the world,” Stankavich said. “It is a privilege to join the KPLU team.”
He will begin at KPLU on April 2.
At Alaska Public Media, Stankavich managed a staff of 42 and provided leadership and direction to a seven-member management team. He developed strategies to meet a five-year business plan, encourage support from the Alaska legislature and Alaska congressional delegation, and secure adequate financial resources to support operations. He led major projects in digital television, building remodeling, a merger with Alaska Public Radio Network and played a leading role in public broadcasting’s statewide activities.
Stankavich also worked in management for Northwest Public Radio and Television (an affiliate of WSU), in Bellingham and at KZAZ in Bellingham. He worked at WQLN-TV in Erie, Pa., at KAWE/KAWB in Bemidji, Minn., at the University of Wisconsin (Menomonie) Stout Teleproduction Center and at WKBF-TV in Cleveland, Ohio.
He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. His many community activities in Alaska and in Washington state include serving as president of the board of directors of Alaska Public Broadcasting Governor’s Task Force on Literacy for Alaska.
Neeb, who started working at KPLU in 1981, guided the progression of KPLU-FM from a classical music format to jazz and made it a premier member of National Public Radio, heard by millions from Victoria, B.C., to Astoria, Ore., and around the world online.
He continues to lead a fund-raising campaign for the construction of a new broadcast center on the PLU campus. It will replace the current overcrowded and outdated main KPLU studio facilities – the same facilities the station has been in since it went on the air 40 years ago.
Kerry Swanson, who served as interim general manager, will leave the station at the end of the month, as the administrative structure at KPLU no longer includes a COO. In his 20 years at KPLU, Swanson served on the air as one of the station’s first overnight jazz hosts; led station operations, development and new media; and was the chief operating officer and interim general manager.
Learn more about KPLU at www.kplu.org.