April 4, 2011 — Nathan Moore, who began his radio career a dozen years ago as a jazz and rock DJ at West Virginia University's WWVU when he was a college freshman, will become general manager of WTJU on April 5.

WTJU (91.1 FM) is the University of Virginia's radio station. 

Moore comes to U.Va. from his position as executive administrator at Free Speech Radio News in Madison, Wis., which produces a daily independent newscast for more than 100 stations, using a pool of on-the-ground reporters around the world.

"Nathan's skills and experiences are a terrific fit with WTJU," Marian Anderfuren, U.Va. director of media relations, said. "At FSRN, he did many of the kinds of things that are critical to WTJU, including fundraising, web and social media. But even more important, he believes in radio's ability to create relationships within its listenership and its community."

Before his stint at Free Speech Radio News, he lived in Charlottesville and telecommuted to Washington, D.C. for his job as national programming coordinator for the Pacifica Foundation, which develops public affairs programming for public radio stations. WTJU airs Pacifica's "Democracy Now".

Moore said he's very happy to be returning to Charlottesville and to begin working for WTJU. "I missed being in a community radio environment," he said. "I enjoyed working on a national level, providing services and programming to stations, but I am inspired and energized when I'm part of a local station and engaged with a community."

In Madison, Moore has worked at WORT-FM, a well-regarded, multi-genre community radio station, as both a paid staff member and volunteer. He was news and public affairs director and returned as a volunteer, chairing the programming committee.

"Programming is absolutely central to any radio station. It requires understanding the culture of the community, understanding the culture of the station, and discovering the best role for the station to play in the community," he said. "I am excited to be returning to Charlottesville and deepening my understanding of the station and the community."

On the air since 1957, WTJU has a format comprising classical, folk, jazz and rock music presented by volunteer hosts who create their own programming.

Moore said he listened to WTJU when he lived in Charlottesville. "I love that there is room for so much diverse musical expression," he said. "The hosts bring a lot of knowledge, expertise and passion to their shows."

He added, "The media landscape is rapidly changing. I am committed to using radio to build the community's sense of itself – to serve as a hub of local music and culture and to build understanding between people."

Moore, 30, is a native of Huntington, W.Va. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and anthropology from West Virginia University and a master's in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.