WXPN hires new manager

After being on its policy board for five years, Roger LaMay has recently been nominated general manager of WXPN, Penn's public radio station. He is expected to assume the position starting next week. With a master of science degree in organizational dynamics from Penn, LaMay has 20 years of experience as the general manager of Fox's WXTF-TV in Philadelphia. But this interest in radio has been with him since his time as an undergraduate student, when he held the title of student general manager at Skidmore College's radio station for two years. After graduation, he pursued his interest in media broadcast by working for a commercial station and, later, for television. Vice President of Communications Lori Doyle stated that the decision to hire LaMay was the result of a very competitive selection. The search committee, composed of University faculty, students and outside business people, reviewed 30 resumes before deciding upon LaMay's nomination. "His management experience enables him to fit in the XPN culture," Doyle said. This decision was also influenced by the vast knowledge that LaMay has accumulated about the station and its programming over the years, mostly because of his habit of being, in his words, an "avid listener." LaMay greatly appreciates the quality of XPN's programs, especially Kids Corner and the nationally acclaimed World Cafe, which is broadcast daily on more than 150 radio stations through Public Radio International. "It is seen as the top station of its type in the country," LaMay said. But the general manager hopes to make improvements. Relying on his previous experiences, LaMay has expressed his wish to significantly contribute to the development and marketing side of the station. He also said he is currently working on enhancing the news side of XPN while retaining all of its "flavor." But the most important and anticipated project is the change of headquarters that will probably take place in the summer of 2004 -- the radio station will move to the Hajoca Building, next to the Left Bank on Walnut Street. Among its most innovative features, the construction will hold spaces for entertainment where the audience -- which averages 25 to 54 years of age -- will be able to eat and listen to music and view live acts. While these works progress, the station continues its broadcasts over a coverage area that stretches from Baltimore, Md., to Allentown, Pa., including the whole Philadelphia region. "XPN has an incredibly loyal and devoted audience," LaMay said. The radio frequency for XPN is 88.5 FM.