Chad Barrett is now leading public radio station WETS in Johnson City, Tenn., licensee East Tennessee State University announced.
Barrett replaces Wayne Winkler, who had been station director since 1993 and retired earlier this year.
“Wayne leaves big shoes to fill, but my team and I will work hard to bring exceptional content to our listeners,” Barrett said in a press release. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to help inform the people of the Appalachian Highlands.”
Barrett got his start at WETS in 2011 as an intern. He has since served in various roles at the station, including most recently as PD.
“Public radio helps generate a more informed public, a critically important role in our society,” Jessica Vodden, chief marketing and communications officer at ETSU, said in the release. “Chad brings not only a wealth of knowledge and experience, but incredible passion, vision and energy that I believe will help him expand WETS’s impact in our community.”