Window To The World Communications Classical 98.7 WFMT Chicago has appointed George Preston as Vice President/General Manager effective March 1.
Preston currently serves as General Manage of Classical 88.7 KCME and “Jazz 93.5” K228EM Colorado Springs CO, a position he has held since 2013. Prior to that he worked at WFMT where he hosted afternoons from 2009-2013. He has also served as Music Director for WNYC New York and WBUR Boston.
Window To The World Communications, Inc. (WWCI), parent organization of 98.7WFMT and wfmt.com, announced today that president and CEO Sandra Cordova Micek has selected George Preston for the position of vice president and general manager of WFMT effective March 1, 2019. Preston will be responsible for strategic programming, production, fundraising, broadcasting operations, and syndication activities for the organization.
“After a diligent and thoughtful search, we are pleased to have found the best individual for this important position,” said Micek. “George is a seasoned radio and classical music leader, and his entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and collaborative approach make him uniquely qualified to take WFMT successfully into the future. We are thrilled that he will bring his vast experience to WFMT and to the Chicago arts community.”
Preston comes to WFMT from Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc., where he currently serves as the general manager of Classical KCME, and where he added a full-time jazz service. This will be a return to WFMT for Preston, who was the afternoon drive host from 2009 to 2013, and hosted and produced the internationally syndicated Lyric Opera of Chicago broadcasts. Prior to WFMT, George was a host and music director for WNYC, New York City’s primary NPR member station, where he supervised the music staff and produced a wide array of live concert broadcasts, festivals, and specials.
“This is an exciting time for WFMT, and I am honored to be taking on the role of general manager,” said Preston. “It is a privilege to be returning to WFMT, an organization with a great legacy and unlimited possibilities. I hope to bring my passion and audience-building experience to bear, and I look forward to working with program director David Polk, and WFMT’s entire team.”
A native of West Virginia, George holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and Boston University. He started his career at WXCR, in Safety Harbor, Florida, a commercial classical station serving the Tampa Bay market, and before that was a program host and producer, music director, and assistant program director for WBUR in Boston. A former singer and actor, Preston performed operatic roles including Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Figaro in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville.
