SPR General Manager Richard Kunkel Resigns
January 18, 2012
Spokane Public Radio Board of Directors announced today that President and General Manager Richard Kunkel has resigned.
Kunkel began working for SPR in October of 1988. During his 23 years, the community public broadcasting non-profit grew from one station, KPBX at 91.1, to three with the addition of the all-news metro station, KSFC 91.9, and later, Public Radio Remix KPBZ 90.3. Under his leadership, the stations received federal and state grants plus matching monies to build translator and transmitter stations across the Inland Northwest. Recently the station converted equipment to HD Radio.
During Kunkel’s tenure, the station deepened its community involvement by advocating more live studio performances and the acquisition of a grand piano for the performance studio. The stations also began producing additional live concerts and increased lectures and community forums. In 2010, SPR celebrated 30 years of broadcasting with a live performance of A Prairie Home Companion in the Spokane Arena.
Since 1988, the station membership has grown tremendously with income increasing from approximately $600,000 to over 1.8 million annually through community membership, underwriting, special events, grants, and community service grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In 2007, SPR embarked upon a New Studios & Stations Capital Campaign with plans to build new facilities at 19 West Pacific Avenue in Spokane’s University District.
Before KPBX, Kunkel was at North Texas State University as general manager and instructor of broadcasting. Kunkel also worked at a variety of other stations during his career after earning his Master’s Degree in Radio/TV/Film from Syracuse University.
A search for a new general manager will begin immediately according to the Chair of the SPR Board of Directors for Spokane Public Radio, J. Scott Miller who may be reached at (509) 327-5591.
Spokane Public Radio Board of Directors announced today that President and General Manager Richard Kunkel has resigned.
Kunkel began working for SPR in October of 1988. During his 23 years, the community public broadcasting non-profit grew from one station, KPBX at 91.1, to three with the addition of the all-news metro station, KSFC 91.9, and later, Public Radio Remix KPBZ 90.3. Under his leadership, the stations received federal and state grants plus matching monies to build translator and transmitter stations across the Inland Northwest. Recently the station converted equipment to HD Radio.
During Kunkel’s tenure, the station deepened its community involvement by advocating more live studio performances and the acquisition of a grand piano for the performance studio. The stations also began producing additional live concerts and increased lectures and community forums. In 2010, SPR celebrated 30 years of broadcasting with a live performance of A Prairie Home Companion in the Spokane Arena.
Since 1988, the station membership has grown tremendously with income increasing from approximately $600,000 to over 1.8 million annually through community membership, underwriting, special events, grants, and community service grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In 2007, SPR embarked upon a New Studios & Stations Capital Campaign with plans to build new facilities at 19 West Pacific Avenue in Spokane’s University District.
Before KPBX, Kunkel was at North Texas State University as general manager and instructor of broadcasting. Kunkel also worked at a variety of other stations during his career after earning his Master’s Degree in Radio/TV/Film from Syracuse University.
A search for a new general manager will begin immediately according to the Chair of the SPR Board of Directors for Spokane Public Radio, J. Scott Miller who may be reached at (509) 327-5591.
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Spokane Public Radio is a non-profit community-licensed public radio station dedicated to providing a cultural and informational service to the Inland Northwest. Since 1980, SPR has enhanced and supported Spokane’s role as a cultural center for the area, providing the region with award-winning NPR and local news, global news, music programs, public affairs, and humanities programming. SPR is affiliated with the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, NPR, Public Radio Exchange, the BBC, CBC, Public Radio International, American Public Media, and Northwest News Network.
