After more than four decades leading WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Dr. Alan Chartock is retiring as President and CEO. The 81-year-old called his 40 years at the station the “journey of a lifetime,” adding that it’s time for a new group of leaders to take the helm.
WAMC’s Board of Trustees detailed the announcement Thursday in a press release, as seen below.
After more than four decades leading WAMC/Northeast Public Radio, its President and CEO Alan S. Chartock is announcing his retirement. Dr. Chartock – “Alan” to all – led the transformation of a single local radio station into a multi-state, multi-station, multimedia powerhouse of news, information and conversation.
“As I reflect on over 40 years of service to the creation and development of WAMC, I feel it is time for me to turn things over,” Dr. Chartock, 81, said. “This has been the journey of a lifetime and I have loved every minute, every challenge and every opportunity for growth this work has afforded me. But it’s time to let a new crop of leaders take the helm and I have every confidence that the Board and staff will more than rise to the occasion.”
In addition to all his on-air work, Alan built a solid management team to lead the station’s day-to-day operations. The Executive Committee of WAMC’s Board of Trustees today named Stacey Rosenberry, Director of Operations and Engineering, as the organization’s Interim Chief Executive Officer. Following a strategic planning process that is now under way, the Board will conduct an executive search for a new CEO.
Dr. Chartock was a 39-year-old political science professor at the State University of New York at New Paltz who led a successful legislative internship program and launched the Legislative Gazette newspaper when he took the reins of WAMC in 1981. At the time, the Albany Medical College held the license and decided to hand over the FM signal that it had used for in-house medical lectures.
Shortly after taking the helm at the fledgling WAMC, Alan launched the station’s first fund drive – going on air and putting out the SOS — asking the community to “Save Our Station.” And save it they did; the community of listeners and supporters, underwriters and donors have kept the station going ever since. And Alan has led the pitch each step of the way.
In addition to being CEO, Dr. Chartock’s vision led to the creation of numerous programs heard on WAMC, many of which are carried by public radio stations around the country. He created and hosted The Capitol Connection, a weekly show engaging New York leaders in conversation about the topics of the day.
During his tenure at WAMC/Northeast Public Radio, Dr. Chartock had the chance to highlight in-depth interviews with artists, musicians, actors, directors and authors.
His vision expanded the reach of WAMC geographically and the “station” now operates in 29 locations throughout the region.
A full celebration in honor of Alan is being planned for a later date. In the meantime, he and his wife Roselle are enjoying some hard-earned and well-deserved rest and relaxation.