Tami Graham has been named Executive Director of KSUT Public Radio, KSUT Board of Directors President Maria Baker announced Thursday, July 7.
Graham brings an abundance of public, community and college radio experience stemming back to 1987, a wealth of knowledge about nonprofit fundraising and management, and decades of community connections across the Four Corners region.
“Tami will bring leadership and enthusiasm to the Executive Director position along with her extensive knowledge of the community and surrounding areas,” said Baker. “Tami is the perfect fit for KSUT.”
“It’s an exciting time at KSUT,” Graham said. “We’re celebrating our 40th anniversary of bringing quality public radio to the Four Corners and are excited at what the future holds for us. KSUT’s programming reflects the unique diversity and eclectic tastes of our listeners across the region.”
Graham will began her duties as Executive Director on Monday, July 18. She replaces Interim Executive Director Sheila Nanaeto, who has served in that capacity since February 10. Nanaeto will continue to serve as Station Manager for KSUT’s Southern Ute Tribal Radio signal. She has served in that capacity since 2009.
“I would also like to thank Sheila for stepping into the Interim Executive Director position to ensure a smooth transition,” said Baker. “It is the dedication of staff that makes KSUT a remarkable station.”
“I think Tami will be a wonderful addition to the KSUT family,” said Nanaeto. “She brings years of expertise in public radio and the nonprofit world. We welcome her with open arms.”
“We are so excited to have Tami Graham on board as KSUT’s new Executive Director,” added Rob Rawls, Station Manager for KSUT’s Four Corners signal. “Tami has deep roots in the region and is a respected leader in Montezuma County and southwest Colorado. Her talents and connections will be invaluable to KSUT as we prepare for another 40 years of public broadcasting service to the Four Corners.”
Graham spent seven years from 1990 to 1997 as station manager at KDUR, Fort Lewis College’s community radio station. She was also the longtime co-host of “Good Dirt Radio,” which aired for 10 years on a variety of stations across the region, including KSUT. Since 2013, she has served as KSUT’s Capital Campaign Coordinator.
“Tami possesses all of the skills to guide KSUT into the future,” said Development Director Chris Aaland, who was a volunteer DJ at KDUR during Graham’s tenure there. “She has the uncanny ability to bring people together to achieve a common goal, which is especially important at this critical juncture in our history as we raise funds for our new home. She also has a keen knowledge of the unique music, arts and cultural tastes of the varied Four Corners communities.”
Graham has produced dozens of concerts and special events across the Four Corners through Tami Graham Presents, including performances by Michael Franti & Spearhead, Bruce Cockburn, Zap Mama and others. She was an early board member of Durango Society of Cultural & Performing Arts (now known as Durango Acoustic Music) in the early ‘90s, helping bring a Who’s Who list of performers to the region that included Ben Harper, Ani DiFranco, Ralph Stanley and more.
Graham is a 1990 graduate of Fort Lewis College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She earned her master’s degree in transpersonal psychology from JFK University in Orinda, Calif., in 1999. She has been a nonprofit consultant based out of Mancos, offering mediation, training and facilitation services throughout the region since 2003.
KSUT celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Listeners have picked KSUT as the Durango Herald Readers Choice Award winner for Best Radio Station each of the past three years.
KSUT is a community-supported public broadcasting organization dedicated to serving the multicultural community of the Four Corners by providing eclectic entertainment, education, in-depth news and community and public information services promoting multicultural awareness and understanding through two signals: Four Corners Public Radio and Southern Ute Tribal Radio.
It’s FM signal can be heard at 90.1 and 89.3 in La Plata County, 88.1 in Farmington and Pagosa Springs, and 91.5 in Silverton. Southern Ute Tribal Radio can be heard at 91.3 in Ignacio and Bayfield and at 89.7 in northwest New Mexico. Both stations steam live at www.ksut.org and on iTunes Radio.