Montana Public Radio Selects a New Broadcast Media Center Director

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - MTPR (Montana Public Radio), based on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, has selected Ann Hosler as the new director of the Broadcast Media Center.

I spoke with UM’s Director of Strategic Communications Dave Kuntz on Wednesday about the appointment.

UM Selects Ann Hosler to Head its Broadcast Media Center

“Montana Public Radio and the Broadcast Media Center are housed on the campus of the University of Montana, and because of their university positions, the university helps to fill leadership roles when they do turn over, and so right here at the beginning of the new year, we were excited to announce that Ann Hosler, a long time Montana Public Radio employee, will be the next director of the Broadcast Media Center,” began Kuntz.

Kuntz emphasized that UM’s public broadcasting facilities need updating.

Kuntz Said UM's Public Broadcasting Facilities Need Updating

“Throughout the whole search, it was definitely a theme of the need for upgraded space and more space,” he said. “For those familiar, the Broadcast Media Center is located in the PAR-TV (Performing Arts-Radio and TV) building there at the campus of the University of Montana, which was built in the 1980s but the staff has grown to the point where they have to utilize other facilities on campus.”

Kuntz said the university will need to invest in more space and updated broadcast facilities.

“In the years ahead, certainly a shared objective of the Broadcast Media Center and the University of Montana to be able to invest in more spaces to ensure that the Broadcast Media Center, Montana Public Radio, and Montana PBS, can continue to innovate and tell the stories of Montana's across the state and across their country,” he said.

Hosler's Years of Experience Will Help Guide the Broadcast Center into the Future

Kuntz said Hosler’s years of experience at UM have equipped her with the skills needed to guide the Broadcast Media Center into the future.

“The committee was really, really impressed with Ann and her vision for the Broadcast Media Center, which includes programmatic innovation but also advocates for the staff to be able to push for some of those technology and facilities upgrades. Most importantly for myself, is making sure that we can navigate the financial uncertainty that can exist sometimes with public media to ensure that critical programming and opportunities for the university's graduates are there in perpetuity.”

According to the UM website, Montana Public Radio is funded primarily by listener support, donations, and bequests.