Travis Bubenik named station manager of Marfa Public Radio
Carlos Morales / Marfa Public Radio
Bubenik
Travis Bubenik stepped up to station manager at Marfa Public Radio in Texas, overseeing all daily operations.
He started in the role this week, taking over management of fundraising and membership activities and all content operations, the station announced Tuesday.
“It’s an incredible honor to be taking on this new role at a station I’ve cared so deeply about for many years now, especially at a time when local, trustworthy news and information is so critical for rural communities like ours,” Bubenik said in a news release announcing his promotion.
Bubenik has directed Marfa Public Radio’s news coverage since 2024; newsroom management is part of his expanded role.
“Travis has a deep understanding of the people we serve and the responsibility we have to earn their trust every day,” said Anne Marozas, Marfa Public Radio executive director, in the release. “At this pivotal moment, I can’t think of a better leader to guide our day-to-day operations.”
Bubenik succeeds former station manager Yvonne Lujan, who stepped down last year, he told Current in an email.
With Bubenik managing daily operations, Marozas will focus on the long-term strategic vision and funding for the station, which serves a 30,000-square-mile region of West Texas that spans from the Big Bend area to the Permian Basin.
“As public media enters a new era following the loss of federal funding, we’re investing in the leadership, infrastructure, and community support that will sustain independent public radio across West Texas for decades to come,” Marozos stated.
Bubenik first joined Marfa Public Radio in 2012 as an intern. Following a nine-month tenure as news director of KNVF in Paonia, Colo., he returned to Marfa Public Radio in 2014 and moved into reporting to hosting roles. He later left for Houston Public Media to report on energy and environmental issues and produce newscasts, according to his LinkedIn. Bubenik rejoined Marfa Public Radio in 2021 to host All Things Considered and report news from Big Bend. He was promoted to news director in 2024.
In additional changes to newsroom staffing, Marfa Public Radio announced that Senior Producer Zoe Kurland will report local news stories through the rest of 2026.
