Dan Skinner is retiring as director of Kansas Public Radio and the station’s Audio-Reader Network.
Skinner’s last day as leader of the Lawrence station is June 30. He will continue producing Conversations, an interview radio program and podcast. He also plans to continue making recordings for the Audio-Reader Network.
“It has been an honor working with the staff of KPR and Audio-Reader and witnessing the generous support of donors to both organizations,” Skinner said in a news release. “The staff and volunteers have performed above and beyond to meet the challenges of budget cuts and a pandemic, while maintaining high quality services for our listeners. Every day they make me proud.”
Skinner joined KPR and the Audio-Reader Network in 2015. He previously worked as executive director and GM of WKSU in Kent, Ohio. He was also president and GM of Texas Public Radio in San Antonio and GM of WBAA in West Lafayette, Ind.
Skinner, who grew up in Hutchinson, Kan., started working in radio during his senior year of high school in 1974. He commuted from Hutchinson to Newton for his first radio jobs at KJRG and KOEZ. As a student at the University of Kansas, Skinner worked for commercial broadcasters KLWN and KLZR.
He started working in public radio in 1980 when he joined Radio Kansas as operations manager and announcer, later working as PD. Before leading stations, Skinner was PD and manager of internal operations and programming for WBST in Muncie, Ind.
Skinner also served as president of Public Radio in Mid-America.
“I’ve been fortunate to work all my adult life in the career of my choice,” Skinner said in the news release. “Along the way I’ve met and worked with some wonderful and talented people. I’ve enjoyed hosting classical music, jazz, folk and contemporary music shows and learned much by interviewing thousands of fascinating authors and experts for various radio talk shows, programs, and podcasts. Plus, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with many appreciative listeners and supporters. It’s been a great journey, and I’m grateful for it.”