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Update on the KPFT General Manager Search Process
The KPFT LAB has worked with the Pacifica Foundation national leadership to develop a process for hiring a new general manager that allows for public oversight but still maintains the necessary confidentiality and respect for candidates. Advertising for the GM job was done over the last week in both national and local sources (including announcement on air at KPFT every 2 hours). A talented and varied group of applicants was identified.
Over the weekend of 1/27, the initial screening of job
applicants was done by the KPFT LAB, in consultation with the interim Executive Director, the Pacifica national office and the iPNB Chair. Eighteen of twenty-one eligible LAB members (including all 5 from the previous unmerged LAB) participated and the CVs and statements of all 20 candidates were carefully reviewed and assessed by an agreed-upon process where each LAB member individually scored each candidate.
The KPFT LAB, in consultation with Pacifica national
leadership, chose 6 candidates to meet with for
extended in-person interviews on 1/30/02. This meeting was held in Executive Session, as required by Pacifica LAB guidelines. The interviewees received the list of questions below prior to the meeting and were encouraged to touch on those points in their discussion with the LAB.
The LAB will be reporting more on the nature and results of the interview process at their 2/6/02 public meeting.
The Pacifica ED, Dan Coughlin, came down to Houston
on 1/31/02 to meet with station personnel and get an update on the GM selection process. Mr Coughlin is currently in the final stages of the GM selection. process.
Below are the list of questions (gathered from LAB members and concerned listeners) that will be forwarded to the GM candidates as a suggested framework for the in-person discussions to take place this week. The candidates will also receive a copy of the original Pacifica mission statement and an overview of the selection process.
The KPFT LAB is committed to working with the Pacifica ED and other concerned parties to create as fair, reasonable and open a process as possible so that the best GM for KPFT can be identified.
The LAB is open to suggestions and criticisms so that we in Houston (and others in Pacifica) can make the process even more open and inclusive in the future.
-Dan Jones (culled from public reports of the KPFT LAB)
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Questions for General Manager Position:
Past Experience
Years of experience in public radio/community broadcasting? Biggest success(es), biggest failures?
What direct personnel and/or management experience do you have (# of years, level of responsibility, hiring/firing experience)? Experience in managing volunteers?
What is the largest budget you've managed?
What kind of volunteer and community activities do you participate in?
Running the Station
What mix of music and public affairs do you favor? What is your opinion on strip-programming versus a patchwork schedule?
By what process would new programs be introduced? What would some of your first priorities be?
What types of paid positions do you favor at KPFT? What range of volunteer duties?
What type of feedback would you give to current and future programmers? What are your ideas for training staff?
Do you favor continuing CPB funding? Independent grant/foundation funding?
Where has KPFT done a good job in fundraising in the past (if known), what ideas for improvement do you have?
Working the Local Advisory Board and Volunteers
Will you regularly attend LAB meetings?
What role do you see for the LAB in hiring of other station personnel?
The LAB is considering introducing a programming committee to screen and recommend programs. What is your view on such a committee & how would you work with such a group?
The KPFT LAB is tasked to have subscriber-based elections within the year. How much airtime should the LAB and its candidates be allowed to educate listener-subscribers?
The Mission and the Listeners
For your perspective, what is the most important tenet of the Pacifica Mission? Are there parts that you would de-emphasize?
Does KPFT need specific programming for listeners on the Pacifica history, mission and governance?
Do you feel Pacifica's mission means programming should have an activist/advocacy slant and should attempt to represent all viewpoints on a particular issue?
Which do you think are the best-served and most under-served communities in Houston by current KPFT programming?
Would you commit to regular on-air reports to the listeners? How often would you favor?
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