FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Susie P. Gonzalez

susie.gonzalez@trinity.edu

July 15, 2009

KRTU 91.7 FM Expands Leadership Team with Two New Hires

SAN ANTONIO – Trinity University’s jazz radio station, KRTU 91.7 FM, announces several changes to its management team effective in July. Ron Nirenberg has been hired in the role of associate general manager of programming and Chris Karcher will assume the role of associate general manager of development and community outreach.

“Both Ron and Chris are enormous assets to the KRTU team,” said general manager Bill Christ. “They come to the station with diverse and impressive professional experience that will take KRTU to the next level of fulfilling our community outreach mission.”  

Since 2001, Mr. Nirenberg has worked for the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, where he developed award-winning civics programs. He also has worked in communication research and television production for the Intercultural Development Research Association and the City of San Antonio. Ron received a M.A. from the Annenberg School for Communication at The University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from Trinity University in 1999, where he was significantly involved in the growth and management of campus media.  He looks forward to continuing the educational outreach of KRTU. “The growth of Trinity University's KRTU into an international destination for jazz audiences is a tribute to the wonderful work of the department of communication and the university’s commitment to excellence in public and academic service,” said Mr. Nirenberg.

Mr. Karcher comes to KRTU with professional experience in corporate, agency, and academic environments. He has served on the board of directors of over a dozen non-profit organizations and has been a mentor at local schools. Additionally, Mr. Karcher is a long-time member of KRTU and station advocate. As vice president of marketing for Gunn Automotive, Mr. Karcher spearheaded KRTU’s and the Witte Museum’s outdoor concert series, Second Sunday Jazz at the Witte, now it its fourth season. A native of San Antonio, Mr. Karcher looks forward to spotlighting the value of KRTU as a unique cultural institution.  “KRTU has developed a strong following in the San Antonio community and continues to grow both its audience and influence,” said Mr. Karcher. “By reaching out to everyone in our city and speaking the language of music, the impact of Trinity University’s KRTU will only grow in relevance.”

Aaron Prado, KRTU’s music director and chief announcer, leaves July 17 to attend New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.  Alfredo Cruz, current station manager, will become music director and assistant to the general manager. 

“Listeners are in for a real treat,” Dr. Christ said of Mr. Cruz’s extensive broadcasting and jazz education background. Mr. Cruz is an award-winning journalist, a jazz broadcaster and producer, and a veteran of public radio.

Through listener support, KRTU provides 17 hours of jazz programming daily beginning at 5 a.m., both on the radio and on the Internet at www.krtu.org. Beginning at 10 p.m., KRTU offers a mix of new and independent music.

For more information, contact Dr. Christ, KRTU’s general manager, at 210-999-8116.

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