MPR Employees Thank CEO Bill Kling with Radio Tower in St. Paul

Jun 27, 2011

St. Paul, Minn., June 27, 2011 - Bill Kling, Minnesota Public Radio's founder and current CEO since 1966, steps down this Friday, July 1. Kling started Minnesota Public Radio as a student at St. John's University in Collegeville, MN, with University President Colman J. Barry, OSB. The first programming on January 22, 1967, was a concert by the Cleveland Orchestra.

Today, Kling leads the largest public radio organization in the United States with a network of 44 stations across the country including Southern California Public Radio in Los Angeles and Classical South Florida in Miami. In addition, Kling oversees one of the largest producers of public radio programming in the world, American Public Media. APM productions include A Prairie Home Companion and Marketplace.

Behind these public accomplishments lies a community of grateful employees. In thanks, the staff of MPR/APM has commissioned a radio tower for one week across the street from our headquarters at 480 Cedar Street, St. Paul. The whole effort is funded solely through an appreciative staff and in-kind donations, and makes use of several spare MPR/APM tower segments . As part of its artistic design and to express gratitude to Bill Kling, the tower will have a custom banner and a bright beacon on top.