Educational Media Foundation President/CEO Mike Novak will retire from the organization within the next few months.
Novak has served as EMF CEO since October 2007 after rising through the ranks from on-air host to Program Director to Senior Vice President following his joining EMF in 1998. He previously had a long career in secular radio including serving as APD/Afternoon host at 610 KFRC San Francisco, OM of 99.7 KYUU San Francisco, on-air at 100.3 KIQQ Los Angeles and spending eleven years at Country 97.3 KSON San Diego.
During Novak’s run at the top of EMF, the group grew exponentially including recent acquisitions in Los Angeles, Chicago, Providence, and Detroit.
Mike Novak, the chief executive of the largest non-commercial contemporary Christian radio organization in the U.S., announced today he will retire as CEO of the ministry that operates the popular K-LOVE and Air1 radio networks in the coming months.
Mr. Novak and Educational Media Foundation’s (EMF’s) Board of Directors have been working closely the past couple of years on the timing of his retirement. Mr. Novak will continue to serve as CEO, while working with the Board of Directors in their search for his successor.
Mr. Novak, 68, joined EMF in 1998 and became CEO in 2007. He led dramatic growth of the networks, now heard on more than 800 stations in all 50 states and streamed around the world online. When he began as CEO, K-LOVE and Air1 were heard on more than 600 stations in 45 states.
“It has been a great honor to be a part of God’s plan to use this radio ministry to connect people to Jesus Christ,” Mr. Novak said. “I know there is a season for everything and my season for leading this organization is coming to an end. I am looking forward to serving EMF in an emeritus role, staying involved in the broadcasting world, and spending more time with my amazing wife, Cheri, and my family.”
“Mike Novak has provided outstanding leadership to our organization for these last 11 years as CEO,” said Dan Antonelli, Chairman of the Board of EMF. “Mike has used his deep knowledge of the broadcasting industry and his passion and commitment to our ministry to create an organization that today reaches more than 20 million people each week.”
Mr. Novak’s involvement with K-LOVE goes back to 1982 when he served as the voice of the station and then joined EMF full time in 1998 as an air talent and later program director, network program director, vice president of programming, and senior vice president, before being tapped to be President/CEO in 2007. Prior to joining EMF, he held a number of positions at for-profit radio stations in major markets in California for many years.
Mr. Novak, who grew up in the Central Valley of California, has not only been President and CEO but also a familiar voice to K-LOVE and Air1 listeners for years. He oversees a staff of more than 400 team members, including everyone from on-air staff to an extensive pastoral team for listeners.
“God has done great things for this ministry and through this ministry,” Mr. Novak said. “It has been amazing to watch so many people be involved in this ministry and bring Christian music and teaching to so many communities throughout the United States. With online streaming now growing fast, the ministry’s reach is unlimited.”
After 20 years of faithful service to the ministry, EMF is honored to recognize the significant contributions of Mr. Novak. EMF is looking forward to who God will bring for the next season of our ministry reach, media growth and continued positive impact to the markets and people we serve.
