IPR welcomed Ed Ronco to the position of news director in late June. He brings with him 17 years of experience as a reporter and host from South Bend, to rural Alaska, to Seattle. Veteran skills are hard to come by in the news industry today.
“I didn’t think our search would bring us someone with years of experience in various roles in a range of markets, including a major city,” said Peter Payette, IPR’s executive director. “I’m thrilled.”
Ronco starts as IPR News is expanding with a Report for America position based in Cheboygan. Another fellowship position is planned for the coming year and the station will reach a new level of capability to produce news and stories about northern Michigan and the upper Great Lakes. This spring, IPR took home three first place awards in the national Public Media Journalists Association competition.
“We needed someone to run what can be a national leader for rural market public radio,” said Payette.
Ronco grew up in southeast Michigan and after graduating from Michigan State University took his first job covering labor and manufacturing for the South Bend Tribune. Most recently, he worked for KNKX in Seattle, a jazz and news station. Along the way he picked up Murrow awards and honors from public radio organizations like PMJA.
In 2016, KNKX was nearly sold off by its owner, a private college, but the community rallied to preserve it as an independent service. Payette said Ronco understands the value communities place on their local stations.
“He gets public service journalism and the very direct connection we have with our listeners who are our funders,” he said.
Ronco said he has always thought of Michigan as home, even while living out West for more than a decade. He is excited to be back in the Great Lakes State and at IPR.
“It’s an opportunity to serve a beautiful part of Michigan that deserves great journalism from caring and thoughtful professionals,” he said.
And while he’s never lived in northern Michigan, like a lot of Michiganders, he’s visited frequently.
“As a kid, we’d spend a lot of time in Bellaire and Mancelona,” Ronco said. “I got to ski on Schuss Mountain a lot, and one lucky summer we went up to Harbor Springs. I feel pretty lucky to live here now.”