Benjamin K. Roe, new WDAV general manager (Bill Giduz photo).

A changing of the guard is in the works this summer at WDAV-FM, the classical music radio station at Davidson College. College officials on Tuesday introduced public radio veteran Benjamin K. Roe as the the station’s new general manager. He’ll start work July 1, succeeding Kim Hodgson, who is retiring after nine years.

Mr. Roe is a Grammy and Peabody Award-winning producer for National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. NPR executives and college officials describe him as one of the nation’s leading strategists for music and public media.

“One of the things that was most appealing about Ben as a candidate was his experience in both the old and new media aspects of this job,” Eileen Keeley, Davidson’s vice president for college relations, said as she introduced Mr. Roe during a Tuesday morning ceremony at WDAV‘s studios.

NPR credentials

Mr. Roe has than 25 years experience in radio and public media, primarily at NPR. Most recently, he was NPR’s director of music and music initiatives, where he developed the blueprint for NPRMusic.org, an online music portal for NPR and member public radio stations across the U.S.

Former Davidson College president Sam Spencer (left) talks to Don Bartell (center) and Benjamin Roe at Tuesday’s ceremony. (Bill Giduz photo)

Before that he was NPR’s senior producer for music and special projects, a producer for NPR’s “Performance Today,” and as a reporter for NPR News in Moscow. In his 20 years at NPR, he created and produced a number of live broadcasts, studio recordings, special programs, and ongoing series.

Mr. Roe will be moving to Davidson from his home in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. “What tipped the balance for me to come to Davidson was how … impressed I was by this institution, by the dedication, by its commitment to excellence, and by its aspirations. I would want WDAV to reflect all of those same qualities. … And I’m here because I believe in what WDAV was and what it could be,” Mr. Roe said.

In a tip of the hat to his predecessor, he said his excited to be taking over a station that is in good health.

“Kim Hodgson has left an incredible foundation. This is a fantastic facility here. We have a nationally ranked staff, solid fund-raising support and a great on-air operation. All the pieces are in place for WDAV to really imagine where it’s going to go in the 21st century.” Mr. Roe said.

LINKS

Read Davidson College’s press release announcing the appoinment of Benjamin K. Roe as general manager of WDAV.