We partnered with KMFA Classical on the search for a Chief Executive Officer. KMFA 89.5 is an independent public classical radio station in Austin, TX. KMFA serves approximately 100,000 listeners each week and features locally produced shows like Classical Austin, Early Music Now, and From the Butler School, as well as nationally distributed programming from Public Radio International, American Public Media, and National Public Radio.
The search resulted in the appointment of George Preston to the role. In this role, he will provide leadership and vision to maintain KMFA’s Core Values and achieve Strategic Plan goals. Upon moving into his new role at KMFA, Preston will be responsible for the overall strategic, operational, financial, and managerial leadership.
With more than 30 years in radio and non-profit organizations, Preston is an experienced leader who exemplifies integrity, transparency, and collaboration, creating deep connections with community partners. In his current role since 2019 as VP of Radio and General Manager at WFMT, Chicago, he is responsible for programming, staff, and budgeting for WFMT, and has led the station’s very successful on-air fundraising programs while cultivating major donors. He also heads the WFMT Radio Network, the national syndication division of WFMT.
In 2009, Preston could be heard on-air at WFMT as the afternoon drive host and hosted and produced the internationally syndicated Lyric Opera of Chicago broadcasts. Prior to arriving at WFMT, George was a host and music director for WNYC, New York City’s primary NPR station, where he supervised the music staff and produced a wide array of live concert broadcasts, festivals, and specials.
Between stints at WFMT, he served as the General Manager of Classical KCME, Colorado Springs, where he added a full‐time jazz service. He started his career at WXCR, in Safety Harbor, Florida, a commercial classical station serving the Tampa Bay market, and was also a program host and producer, music director, and assistant program director for WBUR in Boston.
A native of West Virginia, George holds music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and Boston University. A former singer and actor, Preston performed operatic roles including Papageno in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Figaro in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, and in leading roles in Kiss Me Kate, The Music Man, and Show Boat.