Tom's guest for the hour is LaFontaine Oliver, who today becomes WYPR's new President and General Manager. Mr. Oliver succeeds Tony Brandon, who shepherded the station since the Your Public Radio Corporation purchased the broadcast license from Johns Hopkins University in 2002.
Mr. Oliver, a veteran broadcaster who also serves as a director on the Board of National Public Radio, comes to his new post after six years as the general manager of NPR affiliate WMFE in Orlando, Florida. Previously, he was general manager at Morgan State University public radio WEAA-FM here in Baltimore, from 2007 to 2013.
WYPR is one of 265 NPR member stations, nationwide, all of which are independent and locally owned. About 90 of those stations, including WYPR, are not affiliated with a college or university, but are run by community-based boards of directors.
What are the challenges facing our station and other media outlets as we enter this new chapter, in a marketplace of ideas, information and entertainment that includes an unprecedented number of choices?
Listeners, this is a chance to weigh in with our new boss to let him know what opportunities you see for WYPR. How can we best contribute to the regional media landscape, and to our communities?
The conversation with LaFontaine Oliver was livestreamed on WYPR's Facebook page, and you can watch the video here.
