Longtime WUFT general manager leaves for new PBS post

January 5, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — WUFT-TV/DT; WUFT/WJUF-FM General Manager Rick Lehner will leave the University of Florida public broadcasting stations on Wednesday, Jan. 10, after 29 years of service. Lehner will pursue a new position as vice president of operations with the National Educational Television Association (NETA) in Columbia, South Carolina.

Lehner, a graduate of Indiana University, came to WUFT-TV in 1977 as director of programming. He became general manager of the radio and TV stations in 1981 and is the only general manager of the combined operations of WUFT-TV/FM in history, since his predecessor David Brugger left before WUFT-FM signing on-the-air.

A reception will be held for Lehner from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9 in the Keene Faculty Center in Dauer Hall. An interim general manager is expected to be named soon.