General Manager Subkis to leave WCQS

Ed Subkis, general manager of WCQS FM 88.1 for 18 years will leave the station Sept. 30, according to an announcement today.

In the e-mail, outgoing WCQS Board Chair Lavoy Spooner praises Subkis, calling him “a valuable member of this organization.”

“The station and the WNC community have benefited from his strong leadership,” Spooner continues. “We wish him well as he pursues other opportunities.”

When reached by phone, Subkis referred calls on the matter to WCQS Program Director and Interim Station Manager Barbara Sayer, who told Xpress that Subkis’ decision has been in the works for a while.

“I think he is looking forward to spending a little bit of downtime,” Sayer continued.

Via e-mail, Subkis said timing was a factor in the decision. “This is an opportune time for me to leave WCQS. We recently completed a successful capital campaign and concluded the renovation of our studios and offices. This is the right time for me to take a break and seek a new professional challenge,” he wrote.

WCQS also notes the station’s growth under Subkis’ watch: “the expansion of the signal to Highlands, Bryson City, Black Mountain, Montreat and parts of Haywood, Jackson and Swain Counties, the conversion to digital broadcasting, the creation of a second, all news and information service, WYQS, the purchase of the station’s building in downtown Asheville, and the completion of the first phase of renovations of the WCQS building at 73 Broadway in downtown Asheville. The station’s audience has grown from less than 31,000 listeners to around 65,000 each week.”

Sayer, who will serve as interim station manager until a replacement is chosen, said a committee has already been formed to conduct that search.

The entire e-mail announcement is below.

Brian Postelle, staff writer

—————————————————————————————————————————————

September 25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    BARBARA SAYER, WCQS PROGRAM DIRECTOR
TEL:          828.210.4800

FROM:        The Board of Directors of Western North Carolina Public Radio, Inc.

GENERAL MANAGER TO LEAVE WCQS

After 18 years as General Manager, Ed Subkis is moving on to new opportunities

Edward Subkis, General Manager of Asheville-based public radio station WCQS for the past 18 years, will leave his position effective September 30th 2009.

Subkis served the station during almost two decades of substantial growth, including – the expansion of the signal to Highlands, Bryson City, Black Mountain, Montreat and parts of Haywood, Jackson and Swain Counties, the conversion to digital broadcasting, the creation of a second, all news and information service, WYQS, the purchase of the station’s building in downtown Asheville, and the completion of the first phase of renovations of the WCQS building at 73 Broadway in downtown Asheville. The station’s audience has grown from less than 31,000 listeners to around 65,000 each week. Throughout each week WCQS broadcasts local and regional news as well as national and international news from National Public Radio and the BBC World Service. WCQS is the regional source for classical and jazz music and offers a variety of other programs, including bluegrass and old time music, Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, Car Talk and This American Life.

Subkis said, “This is an opportune time for me to leave WCQS.  We recently completed a successful capital campaign and concluded the renovation of our studios and offices.  This is the right time for me to take a break and seek a new professional challenge.”

Subkis added, “Western North Carolina is a great public radio community.  The WCQS staff is the most talented and professional group of people I have worked with in my career and our audience is the most loyal and generous of any community where I have ever lived.  I am confident that the station will continue its success into the future.

Outgoing WCQS Board Chairman, Lavoy Spooner thanked Subkis for his service and noted “Ed has been an extremely valuable member of this organization.  The station and the WNC community have benefited from his strong leadership.  We wish him well as he pursues other opportunities.”

According to newly elected Board Chair Lach Zemp, Program Director Barbara Sayer will serve as interim General Manager while the Board of Directors undertakes a search for a new General Manager.

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4 thoughts on “General Manager Subkis to leave WCQS

  1. Linda Welsh

    Thank you to Mr. Subkis from the listeners of WCQS. The station has been a mainstay in the lives of so many in the region. All the best.

  2. b.c.w.

    Umm… typo on the main page for this article. WCQS is a ‘public’ radio station, not a ‘pubic’ one.

  3. Jon Elliston

    Oh, my. Thank you b.c.w for catching that typo. We’ve corrected it, and can confirm that WCQS is indeed not a pubic station.

  4. b.c.w.

    No worries, Jon… After working as a graphic artist/proofreader in print media for several years it makes me spot typos like a hawk, whether I want to or not. haha.

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