KSFR management, staff changes
George Weston, who has served the station as interim manager since the retirement of Bill Dupuy in early September, has now been appointed to the position of Station Manager. George is an electrical engineer by training and enjoyed a 36-year career in the utility business. He retired in 2000 from a senior management position at a three-state gas and electric holding company. He has been with KSFR for 9 years as Chief Technology Officer. He will be responsible for programming, volunteer activities, financial affairs and the day-to-day operation of the station.
Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson will be working closely with Weston in her role as Executive Director of the Northern New Mexico Radio Foundation, the nonprofit organization that oversees KSFR. A native of Scotland, Rawlings-Jackson has worked with various arts organizations in Santa Fe and the UK over the last 20 years. She will direct the Foundation's community outreach, strategic planning, and fundraising initiatives.
Rawlings-Jackson, as Executive Director of Cultivate, worked with government and funding agencies in the UK on developing good practice, skills and expertise in fundraising. She was the leader of a national program of fundraising development for arts organizations working directly with boards, senior executives, donors and funders. She recently developed with Experian, the international data analysis company, the program 3D Dynamic Fundraising, which enables organizations to analyze and interpret current and potential supporters and donors. Rawlings-Jackson raised over £1.5 million pounds ($2.4 million) in funds for Cultivate. She has worked with the Santa Fe Playhouse, the Lensic and the Fusion Theater here in New Mexico producing plays over the last four years.
In other developments, Board President Marilyn Mason has completed her year term as president. Succeeding her in that role is Frank Katz. Other officers include Jim Fitzpatrick, Vice-President, John Andrews, Secretary and Helena Ribe, Treasurer. Ms. Mason will continue on the Board, where she is joined by Tom Johnson, Diane Karp and Lois Rudnick.
The new management team will be working closely with staff, volunteers, and the Board to continue to bring to the KSFR community the outstanding programming it has come to rely on. The team will also be exploring ways to broaden the KSFR listening audience, programming and financial base, to integrate new media into the station's offerings and to take full advantage of Santa Fe's cultural diversity and intellectual richness.
During the past two months, two successful fundraising efforts have stabilized the station’s financial situation. The Board met a Lannan Foundation challenge grant during August and raised over $60,000. The staff, program directors, volunteers and Board members all participated in a successful on-air fund drive in early October raising a similar amount. Board President Katz expressed warm appreciation to the KSFR community for its continued support.