Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Story posted at the WCQS website. The new director takes over from long-time director Ed Subkiss. What changes, if any, will Evans bring to our public radio station?
After conducting a national search, the WCQS Board of Directors announced today that Jody Evans has been appointed as Executive Director of Western North Carolina Public Radio. Evans brings extensive experience in public radio station management and programming to her new role and will join the staff in early June.
Evans has had a long and extensive career in broadcast journalism. She has served as program director at two of the nation’s premier public radio organizations, Vermont Public Radio, in Burlington, Vermont and KUT-FM in Austin, Texas.
“Our comprehensive search involved the board, community advisors, and staff,” said WNCPR Board Chair Lach Zemp. “Jody has experience building a statewide public radio organization in Vermont and has a passion for strengthening community-based programming, qualities that align with the vision embodied in our strategic plan.”
As director of programming at Vermont Public Radio, she pioneered a sustainable model for two distinct statewide public radio services – one news, information and culture, and another focused on classical music programming.
Evans is highly regarded in the industry. At the national level, she was elected chair of the board for the Public Radio Program Directors Association. A professional organization with more than 200 members, PRPD represents more than 800 stations, public radio organizations, national networks and independent producers.
Yes- I hope the new director livens the joint up. It is quite an embarassment for such a vital city to have such a comatose public radio station. And speaking of comas, I agree that Barbara Sayer’s evidently been in one for a good while.
I’m encouraged by the fact the she worked at KUT! Austin’s NPR station is amazing with such a diverse variety of programming and music. I can only hope she’ll bring some of that to Asheville!!! I agree that the classical needs to be cut waaaay back!
WCQS should follow the lead of many leading NPR stations around the US by running talk shows all day, leaving the classical music for the night. In addition to "Morning Edition", "All Things Considered", "Fresh Air", etc. they should add "Talk of the Nation" and other similar NPR, PRI, shows during the day.
Yes, I agree that new leadership is a good thing for WCQS. It’s more than a bit dull listening to the same "safe" classical music choices on this station. In fact, sometimes I think I’m listening to classical Muzak since they always seem to repeat many of the same pieces over and over. The programming is really poor at this station.
Good luck to the new boss. Please, please shake things up!
Please add more shows and stop the all day classical music!
A new leader is a good thing for WCQS. This station’s staff is also in need of a shake-up. I suggest they consider replacing Barbara Sayer, the program director. She’s been asleep at the microphone for years.
Does anyone know why Ed left? Did he get along with local staff?