Featured Image: Wagner Previato (provided by WDIY)

(Lehigh Valley, PA) The Board of Directors of WDIY 88.1 FM has announced that the station’s Executive Director Wagner Previato has accepted another employment opportunity and will be stepping down from his position at the station. Friday, February 2, 2018 will be his last day with WDIY.  

WDIY’s Board of Directors is moving forward with an Executive Director search and the station’s former Executive Director Bill Dautremont-Smith will assist with the transition with assistance from Board President Karen El-Chaar and Board member Michael Riess.  

“Wagner has worked tirelessly in moving our organization forward,” said El-Chaar. “Amongst other achievements, he is leaving us in an extremely sound fiscal position, for which we sincerely thank him.” Previato has served as WDIY’s Executive Director since August, 2013. During his time at the station, WDIY has seen a significant increase in membership numbers and underwriting revenue. He also applied strict fiscal control to reduce the station’s operating expenses during his tenure. Previato spearheaded the largest broadcasting expansion in WDIY’s history when the station tripled its signal strength in December, 2015, expanding WDIY’s listening range by 250 square miles.  

Previato was influential in making the station a vibrant partner with many of the cultural and educational institutions throughout the Lehigh Valley. During his tenure, Previato created and launched two new on-air programs, The Inside Dish hosted by Michael Drabenstott and Lessons with Leaders hosted by Laurie Siebert.  

“The last four and a half years at WDIY have been a time of great challenges, excitement, growth and satisfaction. I have treasured this time,” Previato said. “As is often the case, it’s the people who have made these experiences exceptional. Together, we focused on the work that needed to be done and the end results show better services for our listeners in and around our Lehigh Valley.”  

WDIY, Lehigh Valley’s community NPR station, provides the Lehigh Valley with NPR news, locally produced public affairs programs, and a diverse mix of music. The station is heard on 88.1 FM in the Lehigh Valley, with translators on 93.7 to the west, and 93.9 to the east, and at www.wdiy.org.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Shamus McGroggan
Membership & Development Manager
WDIY

 

 

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