The board of directors for KEXP in Seattle has appointed COO Ethan Raup as CEO, according to a Tuesday announcement.
Raup succeeds longtime CEO Tom Mara. Mara announced his retirement from the station last year after more than 20 years leading the Triple A station.
A search committee interviewed about 20 candidates, but “none inspired us the way Ethan did,” KEXP Board President Jill Singh said in the release. “His knowledge of KEXP, its staff, listeners and journey to be an anti-racist organization fully formed his vision for what KEXP might achieve in the future. He is the right leader for this moment, and we look forward to working collaboratively with him to further the mission of KEXP.”
Raup has been COO at the station since 2016. During that time, he “led efforts to improve transparency and participation in decision-making for all staff levels, and pushed forward investments in pay equity,” according to the release.
“To me, everything we do comes back to music and our incredible DJs and staff,” Raup said in the release. “I am committed to leading by empowering and bringing out the best in those around me. Together, it’s our responsibility to keep bringing new life and new energy to our work — and to do so with intention and thoughtfulness and without turning our back on where we’ve been. I’m ready to work hard to translate our shared values into action and help the KEXP community generate even more positive impact in the lives of music lovers in Seattle and all around the world.”
Prior to joining the station, Raup worked in local government as director of policy and operations for the City of Seattle.
He moves into the CEO role Friday.