Nashville Public Radio has announced that Steve Swenson will retire as President and CEO late spring or early summer as a search is underway for his successor.
Swenson has led the organization that includes Public News/Talk 90.3 WPLN-FM and AAA 91.1 WNXP since April 2019. Prior to his arrival, Swenson spent his entire career in commercial radio first as a news reporter before rising to News Director of 1010 WINS New York in 1985 and Program Director in 1987. He would move to WTOP Washington DC as VP/General Manager from 1996 to 1998 before returning to New York as VP/GM for 880 WCBS until 2011 (add adding those duties at WINS) from 2009-11. Swenson then moved to CBS Radio Washington DC as SVP/Market Manager where he oversaw the launch of “All News 99.1” WNEW and remained until after the completion of CBS Radio’s acquisition by Entercom in 2018.
During his tenure in Nashville, Swenson oversaw the transition of Classical 91.1 WFCL to an HD/streaming platform and the launch of WNXP in its place, added the daily news show This Is Nashville, tripled the number of reporting beats; added editorial staff; and partnered with multiple national news organizations including ProPublica, New York Times, Serial, and NPR’s Embedded.
He commented, “It has been an incredible privilege to lead Nashville Public Radio as it has enhanced its public service to this community. I’m excited to watch the company’s next chapter and its continued growth.”
Nashville Public Radio Chairman Neil Thorne added, “Steve was exactly what we needed six years ago to transform Nashville Public Radio into the trusted public news and music source that Nashville deserves. With his team, he has positioned the organization to continue to grow and serve the city in exciting new ways. We wish him the very best in his retirement.”
