KUVO searches for new CEO in wake of Gene Craven's retirement

In late 2007, Gene Craven came out of semi-retirement to take over as chief executive officer of financially challenged public-radio station KUVO/89.3 FM. And as he noted in a January 2008 Message column profile, he didn't commit himself to staying with the outlet over the long haul. A key paragraph from that piece reads: "Craven is dedicated to meeting with all of KUVO's stakeholders in order to 'come up with a new mission statement, and from there build a strategic plan that will position the station for the next five years.' And beyond that? 'I can't tell you,' Craven concedes. 'If I'm able to accomplish all those goals, maybe I'll be having such a good time that I'll want to stay. Or maybe that'll be time to walk away.'"

And so he has. Craven recently announced that he'll be retiring from his current position at KUVO, although he'll stick around as a consultant. As a result, the station is launching a nationwide search for a new chief exec. In the meantime, program director and chief operating officer Carlos Lando, who served as interim CEO and campaigned for the gig during the period prior to Craven's hiring, has been asked to do the same duty again.

Read KUVO's press release after the jump:

jazz89 KUVO Launches Nationwide CEO Search

Denver, CO, August 25, 2009/ Public radio station jazz89 KUVO, Denver Educational Broadcasting, Inc., announced today it has begun a nationwide search for a new CEO following the retirement announcement of current CEO Gene Craven to the station's board of directors.

Under Mr. Craven's guidance, the station has stabilized its finances and has broadened its listener base both terrestrially and virtually. On-line listenership has more than doubled in the last year, while KUVO has secured a permanent location in Breckenridge, Colorado, and has won a license to broadcast in Vail where the station will be known as KVJZ.

KUVO's Board Chairman David Zucker noted "Gene has helped the station expand its signal throughout the state with great frugality and intelligence. His legacy at the station will be felt - and heard -- for years to come." Gene will continue to work on a contract basis with the station. Carlos Lando, currently the station's COO and Program Director, will take on the role of Interim CEO.

News of Mr. Craven's retirement coincides with the station's expansion into the Vail Valley, anticipated for completion in the fall of this year, as well as the addition of two HD channels to the station's lineup. These HD channels will also be streamed online at www.kuvo.org.

About jazz89 KUVO, Denver Educational Broadcasting, Inc.:

KUVO is a Colorado non profit corporation internationally-known for broadcasting jazz, blues and Latin jazz music since its inception in 1985. Only a handful of non-commercial 24-hour jazz radio stations exist across the United States today. KUVO has retained an international reputation for its dedication to jazz, blues and Latin jazz, winning JazzWeek magazine's Best Major Market Jazz Station award two of the last five years. The station is an affiliate station of both NPR, National Public Radio, as well as PRI, Public Radio International. Offices and studios are located at 2900 Welton Street in the historic Five Points neighborhood of Denver.