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KSJD Announces Executive Leadership Transition

KSJD is saying goodbye to its longtime Executive Director Jeff Pope, who shared his resignation with the organization’s Board of Directors this week. Pope, who was the founding Executive Director for the radio station and the driving force behind the creation of the Sunflower Theatre, served as KSJD’s Executive Director for 14 years.

“Jeff’s vision, leadership, and personal sacrifice have had an enormous positive impact in the Four Corners region,” said Dave Hart, President of the KSJD Board of Directors. “Our Board of Directors expresses our sincere gratitude for Jeff’s hard work over many years to make KSJD and the Sunflower Theatre an integral thread in the fabric of our community. While we are confident we can continue to improve as an organization as we move into our next chapter, none of us will forget Jeff’s many years of service.”

Pope will continue to serve as Executive Director of KSJD through February 28th as the Board of Directors commences a replacement search. Pope has also agreed to continue to provide advice to the Board beyond that date as the organization goes through the leadership transition.

“It’s been an honor to work with the volunteers, staff and board of KSJD to help build something in our community that makes a difference—which is what KSJD tries to do every day,” said Pope. “My family and I have known that it’s been time for a change for a while and I needed to set a deadline to begin this change: The end of 2017 feels like the right time, given that we’ve got a strong board and a capable staff.    I feel that new leadership, energy, and perspective will take KSJD to the next level, and I leave knowing that work I’ve done over the years can be a solid foundation for the organization as it moves forward.”

The KSJD Board of Directors has formed a search committee and transition leadership team to ensure that the community continues to receive the best in public media and live entertainment during the executive replacement effort.

“Replacing Jeff will be no easy task,” said Rebecca Fraley, Vice President of the KSJD Board of Directors. “However, we believe the unique service we provide on air and in the Sunflower Theatre will attract high level talent to fill this position.”

KSJD is a Cortez, Colorado-based public media organization which provides public media service to the Four Corners area and arts, culture and entertainment through its media assets, including the Sunflower Theatre.

Started in 1996 as a classroom tool for educating media students at the San Juan Basin Area Vocational Technical School, the station transitioned to community leadership after 2003, growing from a small service area of 4,000 on the outskirts of town, to a regional public media provider serving 60,000.  KSJD is an anchor in the downtown business district of Cortez having invested more than $1,000,000 in rehabbing the Historic Montezuma Valley Bank Building into its studios and the Sunflower Theatre.  In 2017, nearly 4,500 patrons enjoyed live music, theatre, film and lectures at KSJD’s Sunflower Theatre. 

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