On-Air Personalities

	Biographies appear in alphabetical order
Mario Armstrong Host, Digital Cafe Photo by Sean Kief	Mario Armstrong has been the Technology Advocate for then Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, developing and implementing the Mayor's Technology Strategic plan and fostering an environment that enables Baltimore's technology companies and community to grow and succeed. By night he is the Executive Producer & Host of the area's NPR technology radio talk shows & ABC affiliate TV show in Maryland, entitled "The Digital Cafe'" & "The Digital Spin" respectively. Mario also writes for Tech Link - The Maryland Daily Records exclusive technology publication and the Afro-American Papers (Balto. & D.C.) covering the latest in technology. Mario's involvement with technology and the Internet exceeds ten years. His career background involves being Technology Director for Maryland Tourism and working for companies such as CIENA Corporation, System Source, TCI Cable and Cellular One. Most recently, Mario has been recognized as one of Baltimore's "Top 40 Under 40" leaders to watch by the Baltimore Business Journal-Oct. 2002.

Anirban Basu Host, Morning Economic Report Photo by Sean Kief	Anirban Basu, Chariman Chief Executive Officer of Sage Policy Group (SPG), is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's leading economic consultants. Prior to founding SPG he was Chairman and CEO of Optimal Solutions Group, a company he co-founded and which continues to operate. Anirban has also served as Director of Applied Economics and Senior Economist for RESI, where he used his extensive knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic region to support numerous clients in their strategic decision-making processes. Clients have included the Maryland Department of Transportation, St. Paul Companies, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Players Committee and the Martin O'Malley mayoral campaign. He is the author of numerous regional publications including the Mid-Atlantic Economic Quarterly and Outlook Maryland and is routinely asked to contribute to local media, including on his radio show on WTMD, 89.7 FM/Baltimore and here on WYPR's Morning Economic Forecast. Anirban completed his graduate work in mathematical economics at the University of Maryland. He earned a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University in 1992. His Bachelors in Foreign Service is from Georgetown University and was earned in 1990. He is currently working toward his J.D. at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Andy Bienstock Program Director On Air-Personality Host, American Songbook & The Signal Photo by Sean Kief	Andy Bienstock is that rare radio bird who's spent almost his entire career on the same frequency. As an undergraduate at The Johns Hopkins University, he polished his radio skills at the student-run WJHU, the best little 10-watt station ever. After a brief stint doing weekend jazz at WBJC, he joined the 10,000 watt WJHU in October of 1986, - when it went on the air as an NPR affiliate doing a Sunday night jazz show and hosting the local portion of Morning Edition. In the summer of 1990 he began his nightly jazz program, and hasn't budged since. When the station became WYPR in 2002, Andy added Program Director to his portfolio, and is excited to help shape Your Public Radio's future. A native New Yorker, he is still learning to deal with the Yankees' loss of omnipotence, though Oriole fans should still stay clear of him until the Birds manage to finish ahead of his beloved Bombers. He shares an 1891 house in Annapolis with the most wonderful woman in the world, and the meanest cat in the world. His hobbies include reading, martini making, martini drinking, and trying not to kill the fish and plants in his backyard water garden. He is happy to share tips and receive advice about all of that at a bienstock-at-wypr.org.

Art Buist WYPR On Air-Staff	Art Buist has a long history with WYPR, and radio news. He was a part of the original news department when "FM88-WJHU" (now WYPR) went on the air in 1986. He has covered news for the station as a reporter in Baltimore and Annapolis. He has anchored virtually every news shift on WYPR, including mornings, afternoons, and weekends. He is called on to fill any shift at WYPR. You can even hear him frequently filling-in, for Andy, on the evening jazz program. Also you can hear him on NPR nationally, as he often provides reports on Baltimore area stories for NPR hourly newscasts. Art graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1992, clerked for a Circuit Court Judge, and now has his own law practice, where he handles a variety of cases from consumer law, to family law, to estate probate. Art is originally from Rockford, Illinois, his undergraduate degree is from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He got his start in radio as a sophomore in high school. The school bus would drop him off, at age 15, where he did a late afternoon shift at a small station.

Carol Christian Co-Host, SkyWatch Photo by Sean Kief	Along with Co-host, Dr. Jim O'Leary, Dr. Carol Christian regularly brings insightful expertise to WYPR's Skywatch. In her other life as the Deputy Head of the Community Missions Office Of the Space Telescope Science Institute, Dr. Christian collaborates with scientists to define the operational facets of space science observatories that can take advantage of the Hubble experience. Dr. Christian recently headed a group entitled "Development, Technology and Innovation," who for several years produced and delivered web casts of science symposia, technical workshops, science colloquia and a few fun events to the Internet. Dr. Christian also served as the Head of the Office of Public Outreach, directing the Hubble Space Telescope News program, the construction of the main STSCI public website, and the SITES Hubble Space Telescope traveling museum exhibition. She invented two programs: first, Amazing Space, a suite of educational resources for pre-college curricula and teacher training (50 states, > 250 school districts!). Secondly she co-created Tour the Cosmos -- a series of radio/internet simulcasts on hot topics in HST research.

Diane Finlayson On-Air Personality Photo by Sean Kief	Diane Finlayson has been with WYPR-FM since February 1998 and has been in the business since 1983. During her radio days, Finlayson has worked in a wide variety of music and news formats for both commercial and public stations. She looks forward to working with Andy on developing the cultural programming offered on WYPR. In her off hours Diane is working on a Master of Liberal Arts degree at JHU. She also publishes the magazine 'Yoga Voices' and runs Yama studio (Yoga, Ayurveda & Meditation Arts). When time permits she enjoys playing her piano, camping and reading trashy murder mysteries.

Tom Hall Host, Choral Arts Classics Arts & Culture Editor, Maryland Morning	Tom Hall is the Arts & Culture Editor for Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast and the host of Choral Arts Classics on WYPR. Tom has been a dynamic force in Maryland's creative community for 29 years as a performer, broadcaster, lecturer, writer, and educator. Tom was named "Best Radio Personality" by the City Paper in 2009, and in 2006, he was named "Best New Journalist" by Maryland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2006, he won an Emmy Award for his television broadcast of Christmas with Choral Arts on WMAR Television. As the Music Director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, he has collaborated with many of Maryland's leading arts organizations, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, the Maryland Symphony, Pro Musica Rara, the Walters Art Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. He appears regularly as a guest conductor throughout the U.S and in Europe, and he is invited frequently to speak to professional and community organizations in Maryland and throughout the United States. Tom has published articles in the Baltimore Sun, Style Magazine, and many professional journals; he has served as a panelist for the National Endowment of the Arts, and he has lectured and taught courses at the Peabody Conservatory, the Johns Hopkins University, the University of Baltimore, and Morgan State University. He has been the Director of Choral Activities at Goucher College since 1983, and he is a board member of former chair of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. Tom lives in Baltimore with his wife, Linell Smith.

Aaron Henkin Sr. Producer & Cultural Features Reporter, The Signal	Aaron Henkin is a co-creator and producer of WYPR's radio arts program The Signal. His news reports and features have aired nationally on programs including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Day to Day, and PRI's The World. Aaron is also the curator and host of a weekly podcast called The NPR Station Showcase with PRX, where it's his privilege to highlight outstanding stories from fellow producers at public radio stations around the country.

Ken Jackson Host, In the Mood Photo by Sean Kief	Ken Jackson began his 50 year career in broadcasting in 1954 while attending Emerson College in Boston. As a student, he cut his teeth on the school's FM station, playing classical music and reading the news among other duties. In 1958 he moved on to commercial radio as a news broadcaster. After 20 years in news, Ken turned his attentions to music. As a program host, he was able to choose his own music, conduct interviews, make observations on local public service issues and neighborhood events, and participate in friendly patter.a recipe that has worked for Ken to present. In 2002, Ken retired from his previous on-air program and at the behest of WYPR Program Director, Andy Bienstock, began hosting a big band oriented show where Ken could be Ken. In the Mood allows Ken to mix Big Band with the likes of Sinatra, Ella, Sarah, Jane Monheit, Four Freshmen and Jos Williams. At 72, Ken still enjoys what he's doing and by bringing the best of two musical worlds together, he hopes to keep audiences interested in the music of another era for as long as he can. Ken lives in Baltimore with his wonderful wife, whom he met in college. He has three children and seven beautiful and exceptionally brilliant grandchildren.

Sheilah Kast Host, Maryland Morning	Sheilah Kast, host of Maryland Morning, brings wide experience in radio, television and newspapers to WYPR. She learned the craft of broadcasting at ABC News, where she was a Washington correspondent for fifteen years. Her reporting ranged from the White House to Congress to the historic 1991 coup attempt in Moscow, which signaled the end of the Soviet Empire. Her first public-broadcasting venture was done in association with BusinessWeek magazine in the late 1990s: Sheilah began and hosted a weekly national public television show, "This Week in Business," on which she analyzed breaking developments in business, interviewed business leaders and discussed trends in personal finance. Public radio listeners have heard her host NPR's Sunday morning magazine, Weekend Edition Sunday, when Liane Hansen is away. She has also substituted for Diane Rehm. Sheilah's focus during most of her reporting life has been on the economy and workplace, and how they affect people's everyday lives. She began her career at The Washington Star newspaper, where she covered the Maryland and Virginia legislatures, as well as county governments and schools. After electricity rates shot up during the 1970s, she moved to the Star's business staff, to cover utilities, energy and taxes, as well as financial and banking regulation. She lived in Romania for two years when her husband, Jim Rosapepe, served as U.S. ambassador there. He now serves in the Maryland Senate, representing the 21st District (Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties). Remarks of Sheilah Kast at Hood College's Commencement Ceremony Saturday May 19, 2007.

Milton Kent Host, Sports at Large Photo by Sean Kief	Milton Kent has been writing about sports for The Baltimore Sun since 1988. He has covered the Orioles, Maryland basketball, the Washington Wizards, the Redskins, and sports media. In addition, Milton has covered the World Series, the American and National League Championship Series, the Men's and Women's NCAA Final Fours, and the NBA finals. He is currently a high school sports columnist.

Lisa Morgan Senior Producer & Cultural Features Reporter, The Signal	Lisa Morgan is the co-creator and producer of "The Signal," a weekly radio magazine devoted to exploring Maryland's thriving artistic and cultural scene. She also produces and voices promotional spots and does occasional reports for the news department. Lisa began her radio career in 1993 and has won a number of awards for her work. She has developed many programs for WYPR, including commentaries, features, and long-form audio documentaries. In her spare time she does voiceover and narration work for a wide variety of clients. A proud graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, she has been teaching radio production at Goucher College since 2002.

Joel McCord News Director Photo by Sean Kief	Joel McCord spent nearly 30 years in print journalism, most of it as a reporter and editor at The Baltimore Sun, before joining WYPR. At The Sun he covered state and local government, transportation and environmental issues and was deputy chief of the Anne Arundel County bureau. He was project manager, writer and narrator for Roots and Tides, an audio driving tour of Southern Anne Arundel County that was named the best new tourism product of 2003 by the Maryland Department of Tourism and received honors from the Maryland Historical Society as well. From 2001 through 2004 he was a contributing editor for Chesapeake Bay Magazine and has written extensively for that publication. His work also has appeared in Chesapeake Life and Urbanite magazines. .

James O'Leary Co-Host, SkyWatch Photo by Sean Kief	Besides serving as co-host with Dr. Carol Christian, of WYPR's SkyWatch, James O'Leary serves as Senior Director of IMAX, Planetarium and Technology, at the Maryland Science Center. Serving the Maryland Science Center for over 20 years, Mr. O'Leary is responsible for the production and presentation of programs in the Davis Planetarium and the IMAX Theater. He also researches and implements new technologies for use in MSC's exhibits and theaters, such as motion ride simulators. Mr. O'Leary is a frequent lecturer to both adults and children, and a familiar face and voice on radio and TV, where he is often called upon to interpret space science and astronomy for the public. He is also a freelance writer on space science and astronomy, and a consultant on science museum exhibitry and programming, and IMAX film production.

Jerry Pellegrino Co-Host, Radio Kitchen Photo by Sean Kief	Executive Chef Jerry Pellegrino of Corks restaurant is fascinated by food and wine, and the way they work in harmony on the palate. His understanding of the two goes all the way to the molecular level, drawing on his advanced education in molecular biology. His cuisine is simple and surprising, pairing unexpected ingredients together to work with Corks' extensive wine offerings. His restaurant is set in a quaint 1849 rowhouse in Baltimore's Historic Federal Hill and he has transformed it into what Baltimore Magazine called "a miniature utopia for wine lovers." But wine is just half of the equation. Corks is a restaurant where diners can be swept up in Chef Pellegrino's passion for food and wine and discover the distinctiveness of ingredients and the way they work together. Chef Pellegrino is a member of the local board for the American Institute of Wine and Food, Vice Chancellor Culinare of the Baltimore Bailliage of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers and often featured in cooking segments on local television. Under his guidance, Corks has been named one of Baltimore's top 65 restaurants every year since opening in 1997 and has been given "The Wine Spectator" award of excellence.

John Racanelli Host, A Blue View	John Racanelli became the CEO of the National Aquarium in July 2011. John has spent nearly 20 years in leadership positions with major US aquariums. He was the first CEO of the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, where he built the facility, team and vision for Tampa Bay’s leading cultural attraction. Prior to that, he served for nine years on the leadership team of the Monterey Bay Aquarium as its VP of Marketing and Development, joining the aquarium a year before its opening. John has also been a senior executive at Hornblower Cruises & Events and Academy Studios, an exhibit design and fabrication firm. John has dedicated his career to ocean conservation and awareness. A California native, he has been involved in statewide conservation issues and served on the boards of several organizations focused on the ocean and San Francisco Bay. His love of the sea runs deep—he is an ocean sailor, SCUBA diver, surfer and open water swimmer who has made the storied Alcatraz crossing 12 times. John majored in environmental planning at the University of California and holds a degree in Strategic Management from Dominican University of California. He and his family live in Baltimore, MD.

Dan Rodricks Host, Midday	Dan Rodricks has been an award-winning columnist for the Baltimore Sun since 1979, and speaks of his adopted hometown as both its champion and its scold. He has observed local, state and national political trends for three decades. His "Dear Drug Dealers" series in The Sun, a public call for an end to criminal violence in Baltimore bolstered by his one-man campaign to provide jobs or job training for ex-offenders, won the 2006 Excellence in Urban Journalism Award from the Freedom Forum and the Enterprise Foundation. His series, which exposed the obstacles that paroled felons face in finding jobs, was cited on national television and radio, and the Columbia Journalism Review. It won the 2005 Public Service award from the Chesapeake Associated Press. In 2006, he was named Public Citizen of the Year by the Maryland chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. From 1989 until 1993, Dan hosted a nightly talk show locally, as well as a five-hour Saturday morning show that ran until 1995. More than interviews and conversations with listeners, Dan's shows involved unique undertakings. His radio documentaries won acclaim, as well as the Silver Medal in an international broadcast competition in 1993. Listeners will recall some of Dan's popular radio features, including "Along The River," an outdoors travelogue and natural history, "Country Life Farm," a visit to a Maryland thoroughbred farm, "900 E. 33rd St.," a radio elegy to Memorial Stadium, "A Western Maryland Winter," and "The Greatest Game Never Played," a Chuck Thompson-Rex Barney play-by-play of a fictional game between the greatest Yankees and greatest Orioles. A collection of Dan's columns, "Mencken Doesn't Live Here Anymore," was published in 1989, and in 1998 he authored, "Baltimore: Charm City," a celebration of Baltimore featuring the work of several accomplished photographers. Dan also has performed in semi-professional theater in Baltimore. His stage credits include: Young Victorian Theater Co., Samuel, The Pirates of Penzance, 1986; Monterrarat, Iolanthe, 1986; Shadbolt, The Yeoman of the Guard, 1987; Koko, The Mikado, 1988; Sir Joseph Porter, HMS Pinafore, 2001; and for Action Theater: Charlie, Death of a Salesman, 1999. His performance in Pinafore was voted one of the Top Ten of the year by the City Paper. Dan has lived in the Baltimore area since 1976, in the city since 1987.

Gilbert Sandler Host, Gilbert Sandler's Baltimore Stories	Gil Sandler has been telling his Baltimore Stories in The Sun, Baltimore Magazine, the Johns Hopkins Magazine, the Baltimore Jewish Times, in four books (published by the Johns Hopkins University Press), and on the lecture circuit for more than 30 years. "But," he says, "I'm just getting started. There is lot more where they came from." Gil was educated in the Baltimore City public schools, and has his B.A. from Penn, and M.L.A. from Johns Hopkins. He admits to being an incorrigible city buff; "It is where the tumble of life is."

Hugh Sisson Co-Host, Cellar Notes Photo by Sean Kief	As General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing. In the mid-eighties, Hugh Sisson saw the potential for a small brewery in Baltimore, an historically "big beer" town. After researching the industry at its heart - in Germany, England, and the U.S. west coast - Hugh, with the help of Senator George W. Della, Jr., successfully lobbied the Maryland General Assembly to pass legislation required to open a brew pub in Maryland. After the inception of craft brew in Baltimore, Hugh immersed himself in the development and market recognition of both Sisson's and its beers. He is a member of the Master Brewers Association of America, the Institute for Fermentation and Brewing Studies, and sits on the Executive Committee for the Brewers Association of Maryland. He has served as President of the Cross Street Irregulars Home Brew Club and along with Al Spoler, he has been co-hosting Cellar Notes since 1992.

Fraser Smith Senior News Analyst	Fraser Smith has been in the news business for over 30 years and as WYPR's news director, he oversees story assignments with a staff of 10 reporters and stringers. He began his reportorial career with the Jersey Journal, a daily New Jersey newspaper and then moved on to the Providence Journal in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1969 Fraser won a prestigious American Political Science Association Public Affairs Fellowship, which enabled him to devote a year to graduate study at Yale University. In 1977, Fraser was hired away by The Baltimore Sun where in 1981, he moved to the newspaper's Washington bureau to focus on policy problems and their everyday effect on Marylanders. In 1983, he became the Sun's chief political reporter. During his career as a reporter, Fraser was the recipient of numerous journalism awards: from UPI New England in 1973, from AP New England in 1974 and 1975, from Roy W. Howard in 1975, from Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association in 1981, and from Sigma Delta Chi in 1986. His Sun series on lead paint poisoning, which he wrote with his wife, Eileen Canzian, won first place and best of show honors in 1987 from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association. Between 1999 and 2003, he has served as an editorial writer and columnist for the Sun.

Al Spoler Co-Host, Cellar Notes/ Radio Kitchen Photo by Sean Kief	Al Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks. His most rewarding immersion in cooking came through his work as a television director at MPT. Spoler served as off-line editor and assistant director on two series featuring the legendary French chef Pierre Franey. He also worked with Mexican chef Patricia Quintana, and with Bed and Breakfast expert Gail Greco on her series "Country Inn Cooking". Al says traveling all over the US visiting country inns and taping recipes that they prepared in little makeshift television kitchens was an incredible education. Spoler's tastes in cooking are influenced by regional tradition and contemporary casual French fare. Never slavish to recipes, he is never happier than improvising a Sunday dinner with whatever ingredients come to hand.

Nathan Sterner Local Host, Morning Edition Director/Co-Host, Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast	You can hear Nathan from 5:29am to 3pm on weekdays, giving you news headlines, weather, and interviews during Maryland Morning with Sheilah Kast. He also co-hosts WYPR's Friday morning Spotlight on Station North - if you're interested in any of the events mentioned in that program, or have any other questions about what Nathan says on-air, drop him a line via nsterner@wypr.org. Before coming to WYPR in September of 2005, Nathan Sterner spent 8 years at WAMU in Washington--where he worked his way up from a part-time receptionist to an on-air personality, with stints in promotions, fundraising, and program production along the way. He's also worked on fundraising projects for 40+ public radio stations around the country. Nathan originally hails from rural Perry County, Pennsylvania; he now lives in Baltimore with his Significant Other and a handful of cats. Well, more than a handful, actually.

Matt Tacka Local Host, All Things Considered	Matt Tacka is WYPR's local afternoon host. You can also hear him most Saturday mornings.

Bob White On-Air Personality & Producer, Cellar Notes & Digital Cafe Photo by Sean Kief	Bob White, is a 40-year veteran broadcaster who has spent most of his career in the Baltimore area, on the “commercial” side of radio broadcast communications. He joined the WYPR staff (formerly WJHU), in March 2001 as the station’s weekend personality and substitute announcer and host. As one the station’s Senior Producers, he produces numerous local programs including Cellar Notes, Digital Café, Radio Kitchen and Skywatch. Prior to his arrival at WYPR in 2001, Bob was Director of Marketing for WXCY (Havre de Grace) as well as General Manager and air personality for WHRF, “Harford County’s News/Talk Station.” He began his radio career in 1973 as an air personality with Baltimore’s premier album-rock station, the former WAYE-AM (now WBGR). He’s held numerous positions as General Manager, Operations Manager, Director of Programming, Production Director and Promotions Director with stations throughout Maryland including: WLIF, WBAL and WFEL (Baltimore), WLOM/WNAV, WANN (Annapolis), WQCM/WHAG (Hagerstown), WASA/WHDG (Havre de Grace), and WBEY (Grasonville). During his career, he has also been involved in many areas of marketing, advertising, sales, production, promotions and public relations with Traffic Team, Metro Networks, and Media Associates. Bob additionally served as Promotions Specialist with Cecil County’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism from 2001 to 2006. As a freelance broadcaster, he established AM/FM Radio Media Group, a small independent radio broadcast consulting company, working in association with local radio stations, media outlets and other local organizations. Bob’s educational background includes attending Towson University, Essex Community College and Columbia School of Broadcasting. As a volunteer, he has worked with The Family Tree, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, American Lung Association, The Salvation Army, Kidney Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis, MS of Baltimore, March of Dimes, and Lutheran Mission Society. He is also a former member of various professional organizations including the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB), National Associations of Broadcasters (NAB), and National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).

David Zurawik Co-Host, Take on Television	Each week, co-host David Zurawik takes a look at the way TV reflects and influences American Popular Culture - From the history of Jewish characters in prime time & the era of the blacklist, to reality TV & the changing face of war coverage in the age of the videophone. Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always informed and engaging, David casts a critical eye on the small screen. David Zurawik has been television critic for the Baltimore Sun since 1989. His writings on media have appeared in publications ranging from TV Guide and Esquire magazine to the American Journalism Review. From 1997 to 2002, he was the co-host of "Media Matters," a weekly show on media and popular culture, on WJHU. His new book is The Jews of Prime Time.