Rocky Mountain Public Media has promoted Ayana Contreras to Vice President of Radio for Jazz 89.3 KUVO Denver/89.7 K209ED Breckenridge and Urban Alternative “104.7 The Drop” K284CI/KUVO-HD2 Denver.
Contreras joined RMPM in November 2023 as Assistant General Manager of Radio, Program Director of “The Drop” and host of “Soulful Strut” on KUVO following a long run at Chicago Public Media where was Content Director of “Vocalo” 91.1 W216CL /WBEZ-HD2 Chicago and 89.5 WBEW Chesterton IN. She originally joined Chicago Public Media in 2006 as host of “Global Overnight” before moving to Vocalo in 2009 where she rose through the ranks from a host and producer.
The organization stated that Contreras is poised to usher both stations into a new era of music discovery with updated music formats, performance series, and live shows that give musicians amplified spaces to share their artistry while connecting with both legacy and new audiences. She succeeds the retiring Tina Cartagena, who had been with Rocky Mountain Public Media since 1985 and served as Senior Vice President of Radio and New Media since 2018.
Contreras commented, “Community, culture and music are bedrocks of a thriving society, and I’m elated to help KUVO continue its long history of community-based cultural engagement, and to help grow THE DROP’s burgeoning legacy of providing music discovery and supporting local artistry.”
Rocky Mountain Public Media President/CEO Amanda Mountain said, “Ayana is a pioneer in urban alternative public radio, and we are thrilled to welcome her into this new role. Her extensive expertise and vision will be instrumental as we expand our community impact and reach new audiences under her dynamic leadership.”
KUVO Founder and Board Member Emeritus Flo Hernández-Ramos added, “Ayana’s leadership will build on the strong foundations laid at both KUVO and THE DROP, elevating them to even greater heights. We are thrilled about what the future holds under her vision. She is the natural successor to the historic path forged by former VP of Radio, Tina Cartagena.”