Inside Iowa State

Aug. 12, 2005

From Board of Regents, State of Iowa, release

Browne appointed public radio executive director

Cindy Browne, a Minnesota-based public broadcasting consultant and former executive vice president for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, has been appointed executive director of Iowa Public Radio (IPR), effective Sept. 1.

Iowa Public Radio is a new structure established by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, to consolidate the public radio stations at Iowa State, the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa into a statewide network. The executive director will oversee operations of the stations.

"It's an honor to be chosen for this position," Browne said. "It's a tremendous challenge and opportunity. I'm really eager to begin the process of meeting with the staff of all the radio stations, with stakeholders at each university, with listeners and supporters of the stations, and with Iowans around the state to learn more about their visions of what Iowa Public Radio can and should be."

Since 2000, Browne has been president of Leader Evolution LLC, a consulting practice that supports public broadcasters and other nonprofit groups. She was executive vice president of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from 1998 to 1999 and before that, was general manager for Twin Cities Public Television.

Iowa Public Radio includes WSUI-AM and KSUI-FM at the University of Iowa, WOI AM and FM at Iowa State University, and KUNI-FM and KHKE-FM at the University of Northern Iowa. The operations have combined revenues of about $6 million annually and about 60 employees.

Cindy Browne.

"I'm really eager to begin the process of meeting with the staff of all the radio stations, with stakeholders at each university, with listeners and supporters of the stations, and with Iowans around the state to learn more about their visions of what Iowa Public Radio can and should be."

Cindy Browne