KWMU (90.7 FM) Hires New GM to Replace Patty Wente

University of Missouri - St. Louis announced today the hiring of Tim Eby as general manager of its public radio station, KWMU (90.7 FM). A veteran manager with WOSU Public Media in Columbus, Ohio, Eby will begin his new job January 20.

Eby takes over for KWMU's longtime general manager Patty Wente, who was terminated in June following a Riverfront Times' investigation detailing allegations of financial improprieties and mismanagement at the station.

Eby has been with WOSU since 2004 during which time he oversaw construction of new studios and offices and helped raise $6 million for new production facilities. In 2007 Eby stepped down from a three-year post as the chair of NPR's board of directors.

At KWMU the new general manager will spearhead an effort to relocate the station from the UMSL campus to a new building in Grand Center. The new headquarters is expected to cost $12 million. To date, KWMU has raised $4.5 million in private gifts toward the facility with UMSL committing an additional $2.5 million for the project.

KWMU was to move into a new headquarters on the UMSL campus, but that project was scrapped soon after Wente's departure. In related news, the university and Wente reached a settlement agreement last month. The deal pays Wente $50,000 in return for her dropping a grievance against the school and promising to never again seek employment from KWMU or any school in the University of Missouri system.

You can follow Eby on Twitter or on his blog. Here is Eby's profile from when he was the chair of NPR's board of directors.