Mikel Ellcessor, general manager at Detroit’s WDET-FM, has resigned to take a position with Krista Tippett Public Productions.
Ellcessor announced his resignation in an email to staff July 19 and confirmed it to Current Monday. He will leave WDET Aug. 23.
“I deeply appreciate the time I’ve had with you,” Ellcessor said in the email. “I’ve learned a great deal from you and I know you are going to do great things.” He added that he hopes to have “a smooth, considered transition.”
Ellcessor joined WDET in 2008. He previously worked at New York’s WNYC as senior director of programming operations and distribution from 1999 to 2006, where he oversaw development of programs including Radiolab and On the Media. He left WNYC in 2006 to become launch director for Radio Milwaukee.
Ellcessor has worked with Tippett for 10 years and was involved with her show On Being in its early stages, when it was named Speaking of Faith. Tippett created her independent production company through an agreement with American Public Media, distributor of On Being, earlier this month.