Station managers for their part say they want someone who will treat them as partners, not as problems or adversaries or simply customers. It's time to change the dynamic that has NPR always looking to stations for money, she says. Look at us and love us for who we are. She'd like to see more partnerships such as those NPR's News V.P. Jeffrey Dvorkin brought about in establishing news bureaus at stations around the country. The next c.e.o. must lead the system in that effort, asking big questions.
Board members say they too want a c.e.o.
Matters of soul Board members and others say there's another critical candidate criterion, pertaining to values. To independent producer Jay Allison, it means not commoditizing NPR's identity and achievements. There has been recently so much attention given to the brand, and my concern is by branding us too much, it kind of tarnishes our soul, because we become a product. And there are lots of products already. Allison would also like to see NPR's next head bring independents into the fold.