KEXP’s Tom Mara Passes The Torch
• Seattle-based nonprofit music radio station KEXP announced that its longtime Executive Director, Tom Mara, will officially step down on June 30, 2022, after 31 years of service. Mara will assist the Board of Directors with an executive search for new leadership that will build on the station’s success and steer it into its next chapter.
“It has been an honor to serve the KEXP community over the past three decades,” Mara said. “I am deeply proud of the growth, heart, and commitment of our staff and supporters who always put music and mission first. I am also eternally grateful for the musicians who inspire and heal us — they are the connective tissue between our communities.” Mara added, “With the organization in a strong position programmatically and financially, and with the knowledge that the future of KEXP is in excellent hands, I look forward to supporting the station in new ways in the coming years. And I’m excited to watch the future become written with a new generation of leadership.”
KEXP Board President, Jill Singh commented, “Tom has made the decision to transition out of this role at a time when the station’s listenership, influence and financial support are at an all-time high. That’s a beautiful gift, one that puts us in the best possible position to identify the station’s next leader. We are so grateful for Tom’s years of service to KEXP. We look forward to celebrating his service and legacy alongside KEXP’s 50th anniversary in 2022.”
Megan Jasper, KEXP Board Member and CEO of SubPop Records, remarked, “Under Tom Mara’s leadership, KEXP grew from a 400-watt, locally-focused college radio station into one of the most influential radio stations in the world, one that can break bands. As importantly, the station’s ethos has carried us through times of loss, social injustice, and even a global pandemic. We will take great care in identifying the station’s next leader to build on the incredible foundation set by Tom and his team.”
KEXP will begin its official Executive Director search process in earnest in the coming months and will post the job description and application process online. The organization will also work with staff, volunteers, community members, and an executive search firm to ensure that a wide range of potential candidates know about the position and are able to apply. The Seattle Times has more in-depth coverage of Mara’s remarkable influence on the growth of KEXP.
• KEXP-FM/Seattle is operated by Friends of KEXP, a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization. KEXP is an affiliate of the University of Washington.
