(March 19, 2008, New York, NY) – Katherine Brown, a longtime arts and non-profit executive, has been named Chief Operating Officer of WNYC Radio, announced President and CEO Laura Walker today.

Ms. Brown, who will report directly to Ms. Walker, will assume this newly-created position after consulting for WNYC during the last several months. The role was created in response to WNYC’s rapid growth in programming, audience, staffing, and local, national and digital content production over the last several years, as well as the undertaking of several major institutional initiatives, including a $57.5 million capital campaign, an impending move to new headquarters, and a new performance and broadcast facility to open in early 2009. As Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Brown will oversee all non-programming aspects of WNYC, including Development, Finance and Administration, Marketing and Digital Media, and Human Resources, and will be responsible for enhancing revenue-raising efforts to continue WNYC’s expansion.

"WNYC has embarked on an ambitious multi-year plan to expand and deepen our service to New York and the nation with independent journalism, cultural programming, an enhanced digital presence, and live performance," said Ms.Walker. "As someone with an extraordinary record of managing creative, complex and growing organizations, Kathy brings the right experience, skills and commitment to WNYC at this transformative moment in our history. I’m delighted to have her on board.”

Ms. Brown brings a wealth of experience managing creative, entrepreneurial, primarily New York-based nonprofit organizations. She recently completed a decade of accomplishment at Jazz at Lincoln Center, first as Vice President for Development heading the organization’s $131 million capital campaign, and then as Executive Director overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations, managing an annual budget of $38 million and overseeing a staff of approximately 600. In addition, she developed and oversaw the management of strategic partnerships in media production, recording and intellectual property arrangements, and worked closely with board leadership in developing a five-year strategic plan for programmatic and administrative growth. Previously, Ms. Brown held fundraising and management positions at the New York City Ballet, The New York Public Library, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“It is truly an honor to be joining WNYC at this transformative moment,” said Ms. Brown. “I very much look forward to working with Laura, the extraordinary board of directors and the superb staff as we look toward the many opportunities and challenges of the future, build upon the station’s phenomenal accomplishments and redefine what public radio programming can mean to a local and global community.”

WNYC Radio is New York's premier public radio station, comprising WNYC 93.9 FM and WNYC AM 820. As America's most listened-to public radio stations, reaching more than one million listeners every week, WNYC FM and AM extend New York City's cultural riches to the entire country and air the best national offerings from affiliate networks National Public Radio®, Public Radio International® and American Public Media®. WNYC 93.9 FM broadcasts a wide range of daily news, talk, cultural and classical music programming, while WNYC AM 820 maintains a stronger focus on breaking news and international news reporting. For more information, visit www.wnyc.org.