DETROIT - WDET 101.9FM Detroit Public Radio, a community service of Wayne State University, is pleased to announce that J. Mikel Ellcessor has been selected to be the station's new general manager beginning December 15, 2008. Ellcessor was selected following a national search for a candidate to lead WDET into the future.

J. Mikel Ellcessor

J. Mikel Ellcessor was most recently the Executive Director of Radio for Milwaukee where he was responsible for all aspects of the project concept development and launched the new not-for-profit media service in 2006. RadioMilwaukee is a highly innovative media concept that uses contemporary music and community engagement strategies to draw younger, diverse audiences into public service media. Ellcessor also served as Senior Director of Programming Operations and Distribution at public radio flagship WNYC in New York. During his tenure at WNYC, he was responsible for the local programming, digital media, national program marketing and broadcast operations of one of the nation's largest public radio operations.

"Mikel Ellcessor's solid management experience in major media markets made him the ideal candidate to direct and shape WDET's service to our community," said Andrea Roumell Dickson, Wayne State University executive vice president and chief of staff. "His wealth of knowledge combined with his passion for public radio and commitment to make WDET a nationally recognized service will serve the station well."

WDET has been a community service of Wayne State University since 1952. The station plays an important role in the University's goal to develop community partnerships as a catalyst for the region's social, cultural, economic and educational enrichment. As General Manager of WDET, Ellcessor plans to reach out into the community to assess how the station may best serve the metropolitan Detroit area.

"WDET has a profound and valuable role to play in Detroit, "said Ellcessor. "Changing technology has diminished the impact of physical distance and we can access great content from anywhere in the world, yet the need for meaningful connections with our communities has never been greater. Particularly in our great cities, there's a deep, compelling need for locally responsive programming that embodies a very distinct point of view. This is WDET's opportunity."