About

WXPN Policy Board

Sherrill Neff
Policy Board Chair,
Managing Partner
Quaker BioVentures

Mark L. Alderman, Esq.
Partner,
Cozen O’Connor

Ted Aronson
Principal,
Aronson+Johnson+Ortiz

Larry Ceisler
Principal,
Ceisler Jubelirer

Kim Day
Community Member

Lori Doyle
VP of Communications,
University of Pennsylvania

Ellen Farber
Community Member

Bruce Gilbert
General Counsel & SVP,
Critical Homecare Solutions, Inc.

Stephen Hoch
John J Pomerantz Professor of Marketing, Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania

Rob Hyman
Songwriter, Musician, Producer,
Elm Street Studios

Thomas R. Kline, Esq.
Principal,
Kline & Specter

Roger LaMay (ex-officio)
General Manager,
WXPN

Marshall Mitchell
Different Drummer LLC

Tiffany Ortiz
Undergraduate Student Representative,
University of Pennsylvania

John W. Rollins, III
Managing Partner,
Valencia Partners, LLP

Ralph Rosen
Rose Family Endowed Term Professor
Department of Classics,
University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Marie A. Savard
Principal,
Savard Systems

Janet Ries Stern
Community Member

David B. Thornburgh
Executive Director,
Fels Institute
University of Pennsylvania

Wendy White
SVP and General Counsel,
University of Pennsylvania

James Wiley
Graduate Student Representative,
University of Pennsylvania

XPN’s Campaign for the Music Campaign Committee

Ted Aronson, Campaign Co-Chair
Principal,
Aronson + Johnson + Ortiz

David Dye, Campaign Co-Chair
Producer and Host,
World Cafe

Quinton Donleavy
R3 Advertising

Stephen Hoch
John J Pomerantz Professor of Marketing,
Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania

Sherrill Neff, Policy Board Chair
Managing Partner,
Quaker Bio Ventures

Wendy Owen
Community Member

John W. Rollins, III
Managing Partner,
Delaware Diagnostic Group

Anne Rubin
Century 21 Advantage Gold

Dr. Marie A. Savard
Principal, Savard Systems

Laura Wall
Executive Director,
Inter-Faith Housing Alliance

Matthew Zelesko
CTO,
Inform Technologies

Campaign Co-Chairs

Ted Aronson

Ted Aronson founded Aronson+Johnson+Ortiz (formerly Aronson+Partners; before that, Aronson+Fogler) in 1984. While still a graduate student, Ted joined Drexel Burnham Investment Advisors, where he was a member of its Quantitative Equities Group. This group managed the Revere Fund, the first active SEC-registered fund to employ MPT. Prior to forming AJO, he founded Addison Capital. Ted was chair of the CFA Institute (formerly AIMR) and is both a CFA charterholder and a Chartered Investment Counselor. He is a trustee of Spelman College and on its investment committee. He was a Lecturer in Finance at The Wharton School. Ted is involved with portfolio management, administration, and marketing.

David Dye, Host of World Cafe

David Dye’s distinguished career in broadcasting spans three decades. He got his start in commercial radio as the host of a progressive music show on Philadelphia’s WMMR 93.3FM. After a five-year stint programming radio stations in Maine, he came back to Philadelphia, managed a local band, and was recruited by an upcoming alternative rock station called WIOQ 102.1 FM in 1981. WIOQ changed formats in 1989, so Dye continued on his musical quest. Later that same year, Dye volunteered at WXPN hosting its Sleepy Hollow radio program.

In 1991, Dye was asked to spearhead research to determine the viability of a new public radio program funded by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. World Cafe was born. Dye has served as the host of this nationally acclaimed show, now syndicated on more than 200 public radio stations across the United States. With more than 3,000 interviews under his belt, Dye has spoken to musical legends such as Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, and to a new generation of artists including David Gray, Sheryl Crow, Beck and Dave Matthews, among others. World Cafe and Dye have received numerous awards including: NFCB Gold Reel Awards, Album Network’s "Best Triple A Air Talent," Philadelphia Magazine’s "Best Local Radio Host" and more.

WXPN Key Staff

Roger LaMay
General Manager WXPN

Roger LaMay, XPN’s General Manager, joined WXPN in January 2003 and is responsible for the overall operations of the station including fundraising, programming, and marketing. LaMay’s recent triumph is the completed construction of the station’s new state-of-the-art studio and headquarters that opened in October 2004.

LaMay is involved in numerous community and cultural activities including: serving on the boards of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Philadelphia Film Festival, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, The Arden Theater, and The Clay Studio (past president). He was President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a national trustee. He currently serves on the national board of directors of the Development Exchange, Inc (DEI), a non-profit organization dedicated to the strengthening of the financial health of public radio stations across the country.

Quyen Shanahan
Associate General Manager

As Associate General Manager, Quyen Shanahan is responsible for overseeing the station’s strategic planning and operations. She supervises fifteen full-time and numerous part-time employees. She is responsible for the overall plan and budget for station activities including membership, underwriting, marketing, special events and human resources.

Joining the WXPN Membership Department in 1993, Shanahan played a major role in building a development program that is nationally recognized for innovation and excellence. She also spearheaded the successful $4 million fundraising effort – The Campaign for WXPN – which raised capital for the station’s new studios and headquarters.

Shanahan has served on numerous advisory panels for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to review and make funding recommendations. She also served as a board member of the Public Radio Association of Development Officers. She is currently serving on the Executive Committee of Eastern Region Public Media, an association of public radio organizations in the Atlantic states as well as board member of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, a nonprofit children’s advocacy organization.

Esperanza Flury
Assistant General Manager for Business Affairs

Esperanza Flury serves the station as the financial officer. She holds a BS, in Economics with a major in Accounting. Prior to joining WXPN in 1998, Flury worked at GE Capital as a senior financial analyst for the South American region.

Flury has had an active role in the public broadcasting industry, as well as in the finance field. She was elected to the Board of the National Public Broadcasting Management Association (PBMA) where she served as chair of the Professional Development Committee from 2006-2009. Flury was also elected to the Association of Business Administrators Steering Committee at the University of Pennsylvania in 2005. In the 2006-2007 school year, she served as chair of the committee.

Bruce Warren
Assistant General Manager for Programming and
World Cafe Executive Producer

As Program Director for WXPN, and Executive Producer of the World Cafe Bruce Warren is one of the most knowledgeable and influential voices in public radio today. Warren has been with World Cafe since its inception in 1989. He manages programming operations including music, news, information and public affairs, Kids Corner, and arts and cultural programming content.

While an undergrad at Temple University, Warren began to dabble in writing and soon became a well-spoken commentator on the local music scene as a freelance music writer and critic. He made the transition from writer to host working as an overnighter on the alternative radio show, Beat Planet. In 1990 he became the station’s Business Manager. Within a year, he was Music Director and Producer for World Cafe.

Since becoming the Program Director in 1998, Warren has won numerous awards including Billboard Magazine’s Program Director of the Year (2002), five-time winner of Gavin’s "Non-Commercial Program Director of the Year" (1998-2002), and R&R Industry’s Achievement Award for Program Director of the Year (2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008). Warren also serves on the board of directors for the Public Radio Program Directors Association.

Each year WXPN provides hands-on work experience to 200-250 students at the University of Pennsylvania as well as other schools across the country. Students are involved with several areas of station functions including:

• Programming and Broadcast Production
• Marketing and Events
• Membership/Fundraising
• Business Support
• Web and Social Media

By dealing with real-world responsibilities and challenges, WXPN prepares students for future careers and leadership roles in Arts and Culture and mission based non-profit organizations.

Work-Study and Internships

WXPN offers a variety of paid and unpaid positions where students can make significant contributions to the station. By the time they leave, whether it’s after a 3-month summer internship or after four years of continuous work-study hours, they are able to cite a range of experiences on their resumes which may include any combination of the following:

• Hands-on production of segments for on-air broadcast
• Research and writing for on-air features such as weekly Arts Crawl and XPN Local
• Comprehensive training and daily engagement in excellent customer service practices and skills
• Using several complex data management systems to update records, research donors
  and query for information
• All aspects of event coordination, including design and logistics
• Item acquisition, appraising and displaying for silent and live auctions
• Grant research and writing
• Writing professional donor communications
• Networking and collaborating with area arts organizations
• Copywriting
• Training co-workers and volunteers
• Researching and soliciting area businesses for participation in membership programs
• Assisting with intimate major donor events
• Participating in community outreach events and public relations
• Coordinating and assisting membership and retail sales merchandizing
• Providing hospitality and coordinating special requests for VIPs
• Navigating through organizational dynamics involving artists, musicians and on-air talent
• Cross-departmental opportunities in programming, production and serving on the XPN Board

Graduate and
Undergraduate Coursework

Over several semesters since 2006, WXPN staff members have led "Writing for Radio" as part of Penn’s Critical Writing Program, providing students an opportunity to research, write, host, and produce an actual broadcast segment. Classes are held at the station and where students work hands-on with state-of-the-art equipment to conduct interviews, edit recordings, and create a final audiotape presentation.

Additionally, WXPN utilizes students in graduate programs such as Wharton to provide important research and analysis used in strategic planning. Students work directly with station management to develop, plan, and execute these projects during the course of a semester.

Students have accompanied me to on site interviews and press tours at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fairmount Park Trolley Tour, etc., and they've gone out, recorder in hand, to cover theater events and do arts interviews at glass workshops and art galleries.

— Michaela Majoun, XPN Morning Show Host

XPN offers hands-on learning in an intimate professional environment. I was extremely fortunate to have had the astounding support of XPN's talented staff. Those relationships are ones I valued and am lucky to maintain to this day.

— Brian Seltzer, 2007 Penn Alum, Reporter, ESPN Radio

2008

• Philadelphia Magazine,
  "Best of…" Award for Best Local Radio Show:
  Funky Friday
• Main Line Today Magazine,
  "Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs"
  Radio Station, Music
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Programmer of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Personality of the Year:
  Jim McGuinn

2007

• Philadelphia Magazine
  "Best of..." Award for Best On-Air Host:
  Jim McGuinn
• Main Line Today Magazine
  "Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs"
  Radio Station, Music
• FMQB Triple A Program Director of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Non-Commercial Station of the Year

2006

• World Cafe
  Show Received Annual ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for Radio Broadcasting
• Kids Corner Host Kathy O’Connell Honored by The Philadelphia Society for Services to Children
• Main Line Today Magazine
  "Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs"
  Radio Station, Music
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Programmer of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Personality of the Year:
  David Dye

2005

• Business / Arts Partnership Award from the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia
• Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Public Radio International:
  Awarded jointly to General Manager Roger LaMay and former General Manager
  Vinnie Curren
• Philadelphia Style Magazine
  "Best of…"
  WXPN - Best Radio Station
• Main Line Today Magazine
  "Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs"
  Radio Station, Music
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Programmer of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Personality of the Year Nomination:
  David Dye
• R&R Industry Achievement Award Nomination, Music Director of the Year:
  Dan Reed

2004

• AIR Radio Milestone Honoree:
  Helen Leicht
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Philadelphia Magazine
  "Best of…"
  WXPN - Best Radio Station

2003

• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Programmer of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• R&R Industry Achievement Award for Triple A Personality of the Year Nomination:
  David Dye
• Main Line Today (July 2003)
  Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs,
  Best Music Radio Station – Reader’s Choice
• Friday Morning Quarterback Award for Program Director of the Year:
  Bruce Warren

2002

• Heroes Award,
  Philadelphia Chapter of NARAS:
  David Dye
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Program Director of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• "Friend of Education" Award,
  Pennsylvania State Education Association:
  Kathy O’Connell
• Main Line Today (July 2002)
  Best of the Main Line and Western Suburbs,
  Best Radio Station – Critic’s Choice
• Billboard Magazine,
  Triple-A Program Director of the
  Year Nomination:
  Bruce Warren
• R&R Industry Achievement Award Nomination,
  Station of the Year, WXPN
• R&R Industry Achievement Award Nominations:
  Personality of the Year:
  David Dye
• R&R Industry Achievement Award Nomination,
  Music Director of the Year:
  Helen Leicht
• R&R Industry Achievement Award Nomination,
  Program Director of the Year:
  Bruce Warren

2001

• Gavin Award,
  A3 Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Program Director of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• Gavin Award Nomination,
  Non-Commercial Music Director of the Year:
  Helen Leicht
• Citysearch Philadelphia,
  Best Radio Morning Show:
  Michaela Majoun
• National Federation of Community Broadcasters Special Merit:
  Kids Corner
• Friday Morning Quarterback,
  A3 Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Yahoo Internet Magazine,
  10 Net Radio Stations No Browser
  Should Be Without:
  (XPN.org ranked 2nd nationally)
• Billboard Magazine,
  Triple-A Station of the Year Nomination
• Billboard Magazine,
  Triple-A Program Director of the
  Year Nomination:
  Bruce Warren

2000

• Gavin Award,
  A3 Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Program Director of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Music Director of the Year:
  Shawn Stewart
• National Federation of
  Community Broadcasters (NFCB)
  Silver Reel Award for Indigenous People’s Day,
  co-hosted by David Dye
• National Federation of
  Community Broadcasters (NFCB)
  Special Merit Award, for BB King Pays Tribute to Louis Jordan interview by David Dye
• The Blues Foundation,
  Keepin the Blues Alive Award,
  Achievement in Public Radio:
  Jonny Meister

1999

• Gavin Award,
  A3 Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Program Director/Operations Manager of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• Gavin/Zimmerman Ear of the Year Award:
  Bruce Warren
• R&R Industry Achievement Award,
  Nomination for Adult Alternative Program Director of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• Billboard/Airplay Monitor Nomination,
  Music Director of the Year in Triple-A:
  Shawn Stewart
• 1999 Human Rights Campaign Equality Award for Outstanding Service to the Gay &
  Lesbian Community:
  Robert Drake
• PGN Lambda Award ,
  "Best Social/Cultural Group"
  Amazon Country
• Parents Express,
  "Family Favorite"
  Kids Corner

1998

• Gavin Award,
  A3 Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Program Director of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• Regional Edward R. Murrow Award:
  Joe Durrance
• Philadelphia Magazine,
  Best DJ:
  Michaela Majoun
• Philadelphia City Paper
  Reader’s Choice Award,
  Best Radio Person/Radio Show:
  David Dye and World Cafe
• Philadelphia Gay News Lambda Award,
  "Distinguished Service by an Individual Woman":
  Debra D’Alessandro
• Billboard Broadcaster of the Week
  (January 10, 1998):
  Bruce Ranes

1997

• Gavin Award,
  A3 Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Personality of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• Billboard/Airplay Monitor Award,
  Radio Station of the Year
• The Album Network,
  "Program Director of the Year:"
  Bruce Warren
• The Album Network,
  Totally Adult "Radio Personality of the Year"
  David Dye
• The Friday Morning Quarterback,
  Best Non-Commercial Progressive Radio Station
• The Friday Morning Quarterback,
  Best Progressive Radio Music Director:
  Bruce Warren
• Development Exchange,
  Public Radio Development/Marketing Award
  for Innovation/Special Development
• The Please Touch Museum,
  "Great Friend to Kids" Media Award:
  Kathy O’Connell
• Baltimore City Paper,
  "Best Kept Radio Secret"
• March of Dimes A.I.R.
  (Achievement in Radio) Award:
  Joe Durrance

1996

• Gavin Award,
  A3 Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Personality of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• The Friday Morning Quarterback,
  Best Non-Commercial Progressive Radio Station
• Philadelphia Magazine,
  Best of Philly, "Best Local Radio Show":
  The Blues Show with Jonny Meister
• Philadelphia City Paper
  Readers’ Choice Award:
  Best Local Radio Station
• City Council of the City of Philadelphia,
  Citation in Recognition of the Fifth Anniversary of the World Cafe and its commitment to provide quality radio programming to the Philadelphia Region.

1995

• Gavin Award,
  A3 Non-Commercial Station of the Year
• Gavin Award,
  Non-Commercial Personality of the Year:
  Bruce Warren
• 1995 Gold Award,
  "Excellence in Overall Development"
• 1995 Gold Award,
  "Special Events and Promotion"
• The Friday Morning Quarterback,
  Best Non-Commercial Progressive Radio Station
• National Capital Area Chapter of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation,
  "Outstanding Achievement in
  Radio Production" award:
  Bert Wylen
• The American Women in Radio and Television Association & The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters: recognition of Kids Corner program "Growing Up, Speaking Out"
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting
  Local Radio Development Award:
  Overall Development
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting
  Local Radio Development Award:
  Special Events/Promotions

1994

• American Women in Radio and Television,
  Best Talk Radio Program/National:
  Kids Corner
• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcaster’s Award for Best Children’s Show:
  Kids Corner
• Philadelphia Magazine
  "Best of Philly"
  Best Local Radio Show, World Cafe
• Philadelphia Magazine
  "Best of Philly"
  Best Radio Station
• Philadelphia Gay News Lambda Award:
  Bert Wylen
• Philadelphia Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists,
  First Place for a Radio Feature:
  Bert Wylen, "Give Me Those Moments"
• Philadelphia Press Association,
  First Place for a Radio Feature:
  Bert Wylen, "Give Me Those Moments"

1993

• The Gavin Report,
  Program Director of the Year for A3 Stations:
  Mike Morrison
• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcaster’s Award for Excellence in Broadcasting:
  Kids Corner
• Philadelphia Magazine
  "Best of Philly", Best Kids Show:
  Kids Corner
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting
  Silver Award for Children’s Programming:
  Kids Corner
• New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council Media Arts Award for Positive Portrayals of People with Disabilities:
  Kids Corner
• National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) Gold Reel Award,
  Best Music Program,
  World Cafe, "Anishinaabe: A Celebration of the First Americans"
• National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB) Gold Reel Award,
  Best Program on Cultural Diversity,
  World Cafe, "Anishinaabe: A Celebration of the First Americans"

1992

• Philadelphia City Paper,
  Best Radio Station
• Philadelphia Magazine
  "Best of Philly", Best Disc Jockey:
  David Dye
• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcaster’s Award for Excellence in Broadcasting:
  Kids Corner
• Major Armstrong Award,
  First Place Creative and Innovative
  Use of Radio:
  Kids Corner
• New York Festivals /
  International Radio Program,
  Bronze Medal for Best Local Educational Program:
  Kids Corner
• National Federation of Community
  Broadcasters Gold Reel:
  Kids Corner
• Walt Disney Productions Gold Record:
  Kids Corner
• Parent's Choice Media Review,
  Parent's Choice Award:
  Kids Corner
• Gay and Lesbian Press Association:
  Best Overall Radio Program:
  Gay Dreams
• Gay and Lesbian Press Association:
  Best Radio News Coverage:
  "The Eric Barker Story"
• Gay and Lesbian Press Association:
  Best Radio Cultural Program:
  "Vinegar and Lace"
• Gay and Lesbian Press Association:
  Best Radio Interview Program:
  Gay Dreams
• Gay and Lesbian Press Association:
  Best Radio Special Project:
  "Unfriendly Fire"

1991

• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcaster’s Award for Best Children’s Show:
  Kids Corner
• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcaster’s Award for Excellence in Broadcasting:
  Best Single Public Affairs Program,
  Line in the Sand
• International Television Association
  Excellence in Media:
  Kids Corner
• National Federation of Community Broadcasters Silver Reel, Special Audience Programming:
  Kids Corner
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting Silver Award for Public Affairs Programming:
  "Homeless not Helpless",
  producer Deborah Begel
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting
  Silver Award for Performance
  and Spoken Word Programming:
  Philadelphia Stories, produced by Julie Drizin
• Associated Press of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Press Association’s Grand Public Service Award, First Place for Public Affairs:
  Line in the Sand

1990

• George Foster Peabody Broadcasting Award:
  Kids Corner
• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcaster’s Award for Best Children’s Show:
  Kids Corner
• Philadelphia Chapter of the International Television Association’s Excellence in Media Award: Kids Corner
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting Gold Award, Children's Programming:
  Kids Corner
• National Federation of Community Broadcasters Gold Reel, Special Audience Programming:
  Kids Corner
• Philadelphia Magazine,
  "Best Morning Radio Show"
  Mornings with Michaela Majoun
• Philadelphia Press Association
  First Place Media Awards Competition:
  Line in the Sand, the News Staff.
• The Society of Professional Journalists,
  Sigma Delta Chi:
  Best Radio Public Service
• Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters First Place Award:
  Public Affairs Major Market Stations

1989

• Corporation for Public Broadcasting Gold Award,
  Children's Programming:
  Kids Corner
• Pennsylvania Association of Broadcaster’s Award for Best Children’s Show:
  Kids Corner
• Philadelphia Magazine:
  "Best Talk Show", Kids Corner
• Parent's Choice Media Review,
  Parent's Choice Award:
  Kids Corner
• National Commission on Working Women
  Award for Media:
  Kids Corner