Univision Los Angeles executive Alejandra Santamaria has been named the new president and CEO of Southern California Public Radio.
A news release said Santamaria will take the helm this month at SCPR, which operates LAist. She replaces CEO Herb Scannell, whose retirement was announced in September. He has led the organization since 2019.
Santamaria, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, has three decades of media experience. She was most recently interim president, GM and VP, director of sales for Univision Los Angeles, the release said.
“Los Angeles is my home and I am thrilled to lead one of the premier mission driven organizations serving my community,” she said in the release. “My career has been aligned with a media organization that has meant a lot to me because of their mission to empower, educate and inform Latinos like my own family. I am ready to bring those skills and passion to LAist.”
Her work at Univision included running sales and operations for TV and radio stations including the flagship local TV station KMEX as well as digital properties, according to the release.
“The reporting LAist is doing is some of the best in the world,” Santamaria said. “Now it’s our job to shine a brighter light on great reporting and continue to be a resource for Angelenos.”
Monday’s announcement comes on the heels of job cuts at LAist last week. The station accepted 21 buyouts and eliminated seven additional positions.
A spokesperson said last week that the station was also reducing compensation for senior leaders but did not provide specifics on salaries.
“Alex is the leader LAist needs today and for the future,” said Drew Murphy, chair of the SCPR Board, in Monday’s release.
“Public radio remains a vital, important part of the Los Angeles media ecosystem and we are confident that her experience and talent is ideal to shepherd us forward, helping us to deliver on our mission, while remaining financially sound, in order to continue our role as an essential resource for our community,” Murphy said.