Utah Public Radio Hired New Leadership Team
The station announced new management and news leadership to succeed two retiring long-time staff members.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
Utah Public Radio has appointed Frank Mueller as station manager and Colette Czarnecki as news director. The new leadership team assumes their roles following the retirements of Kerry Bringhurst and Tom Williams.
Why it matters
The transition represents a major shift in the organization's administration as it seeks to maintain its role as a key information source for the state. Bringing in new leadership allows the public radio network to move forward under a fresh strategic direction.
The transition involves four total personnel changes, including two new executive appointments replacing two retirees. The specific internal administrative structure under the new station manager remains under final review.
The players
Frank Mueller
He is the newly appointed station manager at Utah Public Radio.
Colette Czarnecki
She serves as the incoming news director for the station.
Kerry Bringhurst
She is a retired staff member formerly associated with Utah Public Radio.
Tom Williams
He is a retired staff member formerly associated with Utah Public Radio.
Utah Public Radio
It is a statewide public media organization that provides news and programming to residents.
The details
Frank Mueller steps into the role of station manager while Colette Czarnecki takes over as news director to oversee daily operations and reporting. They replace veteran staffers Kerry Bringhurst and Tom Williams, who have concluded their tenures at the broadcaster.
Timeline
Frank Mueller and Colette Czarnecki joined the Utah Public Radio staff in 2026.
Market Landscape
The arrival of Mueller and Czarnecki aligns with the nationwide transition of public media leadership roles currently seen across many regional networks. This change positions Utah Public Radio to reevaluate its competitive standing and audience engagement strategies.
Listeners and supporters may notice shifts in programming focus or reporting priorities as the new management settles into their roles. These personnel changes are internal, and the station remains available to the public across its current broadcast channels.
The takeaway
The arrival of new leadership marks a significant turning point for a long-standing institution serving the local community. Residents should monitor the station's updates for any upcoming changes to the broadcast schedule or local news coverage.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest leadership developments across the state in our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Utah Public Radio.
