Ann Hume Wilson, executive director of KMFA in Austin, Texas, will retire.
Wilson, who has led the classical station since 2012, will retire at the end of the year, according to a Wednesday press release.
During her tenure, Wilson led a capital campaign to raise $10.5 million for a new headquarters for the station and introduced the brand “On Key, Offbeat.” The station also started Listen Local, a series of broadcasts of Austin classical music performances.
“With KMFA’s new home completed, and a new strategic plan initiated, it’s an ideal time to pass the baton to a new leader,” Wilson said in the release. “KMFA looks very different now than it did ten years ago, and I am honored to have had a hand in its growth and transformation, and to have experienced such support from the board, staff and community in growing this institution we all love deeply.”
The station adopted the strategic plan in June, which “has identified new opportunities for growth in service, revenue, and digital innovation, with an eye to increasing the diversity of a younger audience for the future,” according to the release.
During her final months with the station, Wilson will help with an audience research project and launching a $2.5 million endowment campaign for the new building and other future projects.
“It will be difficult to replace Ann as she has contributed so much that cannot be replicated. Yet, we are excited to find the next leader who will build upon the successes of these past 55 years and more so these past 10 led by Ann,” said KMFA Board Chair Soriya Estes. “Thank you to Ann for her leadership, the team she has built, a strong Board, and her commitment to listeners and supporters.”
A search committee formed by the station’s board chose Koya Partners, an executive search firm, to assist with the national search for Wilson’s successor.