WYPR names new board chair and four new members

WYPR has appointed Matthew Martin as chairman of the station’s board of directors.

Martin replaces Darcy C. Carroll, whose term ended June 30.

LaFontaine E. Oliver, president and general manager, says:

“We couldn’t be more grateful to these newly-elected board members for agreeing to serve during these unprecedented times when both our community and industry are experiencing seismic changes that will require deep self-examination and new strategies.

WYPR’s success depends on connecting with local communities and bringing in-depth insight into the issues that matter to listeners throughout the greater Baltimore region. Our dedicated Board members play an essential role in helping to extend those connections and guiding the decisions that will ensure that WYPR continues to grow its service, across platforms, to our diverse family of communities.”

Martin, executive vice president and retail market manager for PNC Financial Services Group, has served on the WYPR board since 2015.

“I am honored to be elected as Board Chair for WYPR,” added Martin. “Our on-air programs, both from NPR as well as content produced locally by our staff, WYPR has never been more relevant and important to our city, our state and our nation. Public Radio is a lifelong passion, and I could not be more excited to work alongside our new general manager LaFontaine Oliver.”

Additionally, the station has also added four new members:

Sandra Banisky is Abell Professor in Baltimore Journalism for the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. Prior to this, Banisky was deputy managing editor for news at The Baltimore Sun. She has also worked as The Sun’s deputy managing editor, metro and earlier, was national editor and before that, a local reporter and national correspondent. Banisky holds a law degree from the University of Baltimore.

Charles C. Fenwick Jr., is ex-owner and president of Valley Motors Inc. and a long-term underwriter of WYPR. He also serves on the board of trustees for Gilman School and GBMC HealthCare and is executive director of Shawan Downs.

Joey Price is the chief executive officer of Jumpstart:HR and host of “Business, Life & Coffee” podcast. Price started his career as a human resources assistant and rose in ranks up to the boardroom as a CEO of his own firm. He also serves on the board of governors for The Center Club and is chairman of the young members committee. Baltimore Business Journal has also recognized him as “40 Under 40” and named by SHRM’s HR Magazine a ““Top 30 HR Professional Under 30”.

Ernst Valery is the founder and president of Ernst Valery Investments Corp. He is also the president and co-managing member of Stuart Alexander and Associates, Inc. For the past 20 years of his career, Valery has helped launch small businesses that anchor and level the playing field. Valery is also involved in a collaboration with a team of professionals and graduates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Community Innovators Lab.

All will be serving three-year terms with WYPR.