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WTIP announces leadership transition

WTIP Executive Director Debbie Benedict, who’s been at the helm since 2001, is retiring from her position as of June 1. Deb will be further recognized and celebrated in the months ahead for her outstanding leadership and service to the station.

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  Grand Marais, Minn., March 26, 2018—WTIP Executive Director Debbie Benedict, who’s been at the helm since 2001, is retiring from her position as of June 1. Under her direction, WTIP has grown into a trusted provider of news, information and entertainment on the North Shore, with nine staff people, over 1,200 members and many thousands of listeners. Deb will be further recognized and celebrated in the months ahead for her outstanding leadership and service to the station.

WTIP also celebrates its 20th birthday this year, and the board of directors has reaffirmed the station’s community focus by choosing a homegrown successor for Deb. The board wanted someone intimately familiar with the community, the station, and its mission and, upon completing its selection process, chose Matthew Brown, current WTIP program director and volunteer coordinator. Matthew has volunteered and worked at WTIP since 2000 and been an employee since 2008, when he took over as host of Sidetracks. He’s lived in Cook County for 21 years, doing everything from dog mushing and leading wilderness trips to captaining the schooner Hjordis.

As the station’s new leader, Matthew will continue WTIP’s mission connecting, reflecting, and building community on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Debbie will continue to work part time with Matthew for several months, to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.

Board Chair Dave TerSteeg said, “After a thoughtful process of choosing a successor for Deb, the board is proud to announce the promotion of Matthew Brown into the role of executive director. Matthew’s commitment to the local community and his excellent work at the station for so many years will help ensure a strong future for the station under his proven leadership.”

“I’m very excited about this opportunity to continue WTIP’s role in the community bringing together people and ideas. Deb is turning over leadership of a station that’s well-established and strong, and I’ll work to make sure we keep providing the excellent information and entertainment our listeners have come to expect,” said Matthew.