WPR Resonance Newsletter

"When I took over [ last fall ] as director of Wisconsin Public Radio, I wanted to build a strong senior management team," said Phil Corriveau recently. "That task is now complete."

Phil explained that "development director Mary Kay Sherer, budget director Susan Oman, and senior regional manager Dean Kallenbach were hard at work, so I had an excellent team core from which to build." In May he named three new managers as he continued to build his team.

Anders Yocom

Anders Yocom was named associate director and chief operating officer.

Anders began his career at Connecticut Public Television and at several area radio stations. In 1974, he managed the national television program schedule for the Public Broadcasting Service in Washington, DC.

He moved to WTTW-TV / Chicago in 1978 where he managed production and corporate communications. He also worked as a part-time announcer at a Chicago FM station.

In 1998, he was named senior vice president for broadcasting for WTTW-TV and WFMT, Chicago's classical fine-arts station. He was responsible for all production and broadcasting activities of both stations, including concerts by The Chicago Symphony

Orchestra, numerous chamber ensembles, performances by Lyric Opera of Chicago, TV and radio documentaries on various subjects, and news and public affairs.

In 2001, he retired from WTTW/WFMT and moved with his wife to Wisconsin where he joined Wisconsin Public Radio as a weekend classical music host.

Last year Andy served for several months as interim director of radio when 14-year veteran Greg Schnirring left to join the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

As associate director, Andy is in charge of all Ideas and Music Network staff, all national programming, and on-air promotion.

Allen Rieland

Allen Rieland was named director of technology and new media.

As a five-year-old in La Crosse, Allen began showing an interest in all things technological: taking apart clocks, radios, and telephones. He built his first radio transmitter in 8th grade and earned money in his teens doing radio repair for a local store.

Allen attended UW-La Crosse for two years, then transferred to UW-Madison and almost immediately found a job as a board operator at Wisconsin Public Radio. In 1972 he was hired full-time to help install the wiring and radio equipment at the newly constructed Vilas Communications Hall.

Over the years Allen served as senior technical engineer, manager of computer services, operations and engineering manager, and assistant director of radio.

He helped build six studios in the regional bureaus, introduced desktop and editing computers throughout the facilities, established Wisconsin Public Radio as one of only a handful of public radio satellite uplink sites in the United States, and became our first Internet "Webmaster."

Now as director of technology and new media, Allen is responsible for the introduction and development of new digital technologies and procedures throughout Wisconsin Public Radio. He continues to be responsible for all Internet-based program delivery and Web initiatives.

Steve Johnston

Steve Johnston was named director of engineering and operations.

Steve has been a builder, repairer, and restorer of electronic gear nearly all his life. His professional career started in 1981 when, at age 19, he became an announcer/producer with Susquehanna Radio at WHLO / Akron,

Ohio while attending the University of Akron. He became chief engineer in 1983. Later he provided engineering management at other Susquehanna stations in Florida, Virginia,

and Pennsylvania.

Steve pioneered new ideas for the stations such as satellite program delivery, local- and

wide-area computer networks, and computer-based digital audio storage and automation.

In 2000, Steve shifted to public radio when he became director of engineering and operations -- and later interim general manager -- for Boise State Radio, a 20-station group in Idaho known for innovation and cutting-edge technology.

As director of engineering and operations, Steve supervises all production maintenance engineers, program technical directors, and the technical operations staff. He is responsible for six UW-licensed transmitter sites and all Wisconsin Public Radio production facilities, equipment

and scheduling.

Connie Walker

"As I welcome new team members, it is with great sadness that I announce the departure of news director Connie Walker," said Phil. Connie accepted a new position as news director of WUNC-FM / Chapel Hill. Connie worked for Wisconsin Public Radio for almost 17 years, nine of which were as news director. "She did a superb job building the department and was instrumental in its success," added Phil.

"She was the spirit and guiding force behind our award-winning and nationally recognized news department. She will be missed."

Judy Rose To Retire in August

Folk music is often about passages -- sometimes the hand-off of a beloved tradition

from one gentle folk to another. Judy Rose has notified us that she will retire at

the conclusion of her Simply Folk program on Sunday, August 28.

“Judy brought her warmth, humanity, and knowledge to Simply Folk since 1980,”

said Phil. “She bonded with thousands of listeners in Wisconsin who will miss her Sunday night visits. And we, her colleagues, will miss the intelligence and good cheer she brought to Wisconsin Public Radio for a quarter-century.”

The folk tradition will pass to Tom Martin-Erickson. Tom will succeed Judy as host of Simply Folk beginning September 4. As many may remember, Tom co-hosted Simply Folk from 1979 to 1990. “His return will bring his enthusiasm and love of music to folk-music fans with recordings from the library and music he will record on-location in Wisconsin," said Phil.

“Our congratulations and best wishes to Judy and Tom.”