Fred Martino started Monday as executive director of WSIU in Carbondale, Ill., its licensee Southern Illinois University announced.
Jak Tichenor has led the dual licensee as interim executive director since 2019.
Martino comes to WSIU from KRWG Public Media in Las Cruces, N.M., where he has been director of content for 13 years. He was also director of news and public affairs for nine years at WGVU Public Media.
“The search committee and others who interviewed Dr. Martino were impressed with his energy and enthusiasm,” SIU Chancellor Austin Lane said in a press release. “His background in both radio and TV, work in a university setting and experience in a large geographic market prepare him well to lead WSIU.”
Martino said in the release that the station will seek partnerships to expand regional programming.
“There is a real need for more credible, in-depth local news coverage throughout the country,” he said in the release. “An informed electorate is essential to a functioning democracy.”