CHICAGO, IL – January 22, 2019 – Window To The World Communications, Inc. (WWCI), parent organization of WFMT 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.
About WWCI
Window To The World Communications, Inc. is the parent organization of WTTW and WFMT. WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to creating and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create/WTTW World, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions such as Chicago Tonight, Chicago River Tour, Check, Please!, digital-first series Urban Nature and Foodphiles – and national productions 10 That Changed America and Nature Cat – WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history, documentary and children’s public media content. WFMT is one of the country’s most respected classical music radio services, showcasing the finest music programming and live performance, including Live from WFMT and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Series, across broadcast and digital platforms on 98.7FM, wfmt.com and the WFMT app. The WFMT Radio Network is a leading creator and distributor of audio arts and culture programs, including Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin and the Beethoven Network, made available to radio stations and other content platforms around the world.