© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WVIK's New Station Manager, Jared Johnson

Jared Johnson

General Manager

Johnson previously served as Director of Development and Community Engagement for the Quad Cities’ public radio station.

“As we were worked with Public Media Company to strategize WVIK’s future, the need for someone to manage our finances and direct execution of our operational plan was emphasized,” said Jay Pearce who continues to serve as CEO and General Manager.

“Jared has demonstrated his ability to develop impactful partnerships and enhance revenue streams. And, through ongoing professional development, he has contributed significantly to our programming and audience development efforts on the air and through our growing portfolio of podcasts.”

Originally hired as the Director of Corporate Support and Marketing in 2014, Johnson grew income from local corporate sponsors by over 50% during his four years in that role.

In FY18, he was promoted to Director of Development and Community Engagement, where he continued to oversee significant growth in local revenue. Of particular importance, over these past four years Johnson has:

  • Helped to raise $366,000 toward WVIK’s ongoing Campaign for the Future, an initiative aimed at increasing digital services and the launching WVIK’s second broadcast signal in the Quad Cities (105.7 FM).
  • Forged relationships with outside organizations to launch podcasts aimed at younger audiences, including A Real Piece of Work (Junior Achievement) and LOVE Girls: The Podcast (LOVE Girls Magazine).
  • Helped launch WVIK’s annual, Intelligent Conversation starting in 2018, an event that has brought luminaries such as Krista Tippett and Nicholas Kristof to the RiverCenter in Davenport. This year’s Intelligent Conversation featuring Michele Norris, Washington Post correspondent and former host of All Things Considered, is scheduled to take place on March 10, 2022.
  • Helped develop and produce Hidden Conversations with Dr. LaDrina Wilson of Iman Consulting, Tracy Singleton with the Lincoln Resource Center, Dr. Lauren Hammond-Ford with Augustana College, and Ryan Saddler with Saint Ambrose University.

"Jared has an appreciation for all that is vital and necessary about having a strong public radio presence in a community,” said Steven Bahls, president of Augustana College, WVIK’s license holder. “To this, Jared adds a keen understanding of how community engagement can make or break the mission of Quad Cities’ public radio station. I'm grateful that a position of this importance has attracted a leader of Jared's ability."

(Previous verion)
Johnson has been with WVIK since May of 2014, where he serves as the Director of Development and Community Engagement. Before coming to WVIK, Jared W. Johnson served as Director of Marketing for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. His work with the QCSO included managing partnerships with a variety of cultural partners including Quad City Arts, the Putnam Museum, the Figge Art Museum, Augustana College, the River Music  Experience.

Jared's most memorable moments at the QCSO included overseeing the sold out Music of Led Zeppelin, the performance by world-famous violinist Midori, the multi-media presentation of Holst's The Planets, the record setting Riverfront Pops featuring ABBA: The Concert, and successfully promoting Mark Russell Smith's production of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem.

Before moving to the Quad Cities, Johnson was Assistant Producer at 20/20 Communications, Inc. in Elk Grove Village, IL. While at 20/20 Communications he worked with such clients as the Million Dollar Round Table, Life Fitness, the American Association of Pediatrics, and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Also during this time, Johnson directed a short film, worked on independently produced documentaries, and even directed a music video.

Both Quad City natives, Jared and his wife Beth currently live in Davenport with their four children. Jared received his BA in Communications from Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, in 1998.