Iowa State University
8-2-96

Contacts:
Murray Blackwelder, External Affairs, (515) 294-7730
Rick Lewis, WOI Radio, (515) 294-9478
Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720

WOI'S LEWIS LEAVING ISU TO TAKE POSITION WITH NEW, HIGH-TECH FIRM

AMES, Iowa -- Rick Lewis, general manager of Iowa State University's WOI AM/FM, has announced that he is resigning to take a position with a new high-tech, start-up company.

Lewis, who has been general manager of WOI since May 1993, will become director of programming for Audible Words Inc., near New York City.

"This is an incredible opportunity for me to help launch a new cutting-edge business with a knock-out application for delivering content over the Internet," said Lewis. "The firm's senior marketing team includes top people from leading technology firms, such as AT&T and Motorola. This is a thrilling thing to be part of."

"Rick Lewis has done a wonderful job for WOI Radio," said Murray Blackwelder, vice president for external affairs. "During his tenure, WOI Radio has established an excellent fund-raising program. Approximately 10 percent of WOI's weekly audience are supporting members, which is a level of support many stations never achieve."

"Most recently, he has created what we feel will be one of WOI's great successes -- Iowa Week," added Blackwelder.

Iowa Week is WOI Radio's celebration of the state's sesquicentennial. It will include live musical events, documentaries and a barbecue for an entire small town. Iowa Week specials will be broadcast on WOI-AM 640 and WOI-FM 90.1 Aug. 25- Sept. 2. Lewis will remain in his position as WOI Radio's general manager until the completion of Iowa Week.

Prior to coming to WOI Radio, Lewis was president of Pacific Public Radio in Long Beach, Calif. from 1985 to 1993. He was vice president for news at Minnesota Public Radio from 1980 to 1985. From 1976 to 1980, Lewis held a variety of positions with National Public Radio, including executive producer of "All Things Considered" and deputy director of the news division. Lewis, a native Iowan, worked at WOI Radio from 1967 to 1976, with a two- year break while he served in the Peace Corps.

An interim general manager will be announced soon.

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