Utah Public Radio Appointed New Leadership
The network has named a new station manager and news director following the retirement of two longtime staff members.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in People
Utah Public Radio has officially appointed Frank Mueller as station manager and Colette Czarnecki as the organization's new news director. These leadership changes follow the recent retirements of Kerry Bringhurst and Tom Williams from the network.
Why it matters
Management transitions at regional media institutions often signal shifts in editorial direction and organizational priorities. For business operators and stakeholders, these changes represent an opportunity to evaluate ongoing relationships with local media outlets.
The leadership shuffle involves two newly appointed directors replacing two long-standing staff members. The changes represent a full turnover of these two key operational positions at the network.
The players
Utah Public Radio
A state-wide public broadcasting entity that provides news and programming across Utah.
Frank Mueller
The incoming station manager responsible for the administrative and operational oversight of the network.
Colette Czarnecki
The newly appointed news director tasked with leading the network's editorial team and coverage.
Kerry Bringhurst
A retiring staff member who held a significant operational role at Utah Public Radio.
Tom Williams
A long-standing member of the station's staff who officially retired alongside Kerry Bringhurst.
The details
Frank Mueller steps into the role of station manager, assuming oversight of the network's administrative functions and daily operations. Colette Czarnecki takes over as news director, managing the editorial staff and output of the station. These moves occur as the organization manages the transition following the departures of Kerry Bringhurst and Tom Williams.
Timeline
• Frank Mueller and Colette Czarnecki joined the network in 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition marks a significant moment for the Utah media environment, following the 2026 leadership transition at Utah Public Radio. The move signals a departure from the previous management era and invites a re-evaluation of the station's strategic trajectory.
Business operators should monitor the station's upcoming editorial output to gauge if the new management team introduces shifts in coverage focus. Stakeholders engaged in regional public outreach should prepare to introduce their objectives to the new leadership team.
The takeaway
Management transitions provide a natural inflection point for entities to adjust their editorial priorities and community engagement strategies. Operators should monitor the station's broadcasts over the coming quarter to identify any emerging changes in policy coverage or content focus.
Further reading
For more on industry personnel shifts, explore our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Utah Public Radio.
