New Managing Director at WCAI

Former Cape Cod Broadcasting executive Stephen Colella has been named the new managing director of WCAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station. Operating from Woods Hole, the listener-supported public radio station is a service of WGBH. Colella will oversee membership development across the Cape and Islands, as well as local corporate sponsorship opportunities for both WCAI and WGBH’s newest partnership with Bryant University’s WJMF in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

“Supported by a strong and seasoned team at WCAI, Stephen will increase our engagement with prospective and current members and sponsors,” said Susan Dwyer, WGBH’s executive director for Membership Marketing and Development. “Originally from Providence, his knowledge of both the Cape and Rhode Island communities insures that we maintain that critical local appeal,” Dwyer noted.

“I am proud and honored to have the opportunity to join the WCAI team,” said Colella, adding, “WCAI offers the best in national programs through our public radio partners, and award-winning local news, features and programs from our WCAI reporters and producers. Our community is fortunate to have one of the best public radio stations in the country based right here in the village of Woods Hole.”

Prior to joining WCAI, Colella was director of sales for more than 25 years at Cape Cod Broadcasting. A second-in-command to the radio broadcasting company’s owner/managing partner, he was responsible for all aspects of revenue generation for four radio stations and CapeCod.com. Previously, Colella served as account executive at WWWV-FM in Charlottesville, VA and operations manager at WMNB-FM in North Adams, MA.

In addition to experience in radio broadcasting, Colella is the owner and founder of Maresa’s Cooking, a Hyannis-based personal chef service. A graduate of Williams College, Colella is an avid runner and NPR enthusiast, and has performed in more than 20 theater productions in and around Cape Cod. He resides in Hyannis, MA.

“Ten years ago, the Cape and Islands did not have an NPR station, said Colella. “Created from the vision of our founder, Jay Allison, and with the leadership of WGBH, WCAI is now broadcasting on three FM frequencies – 90.1 (Martha’s Vineyard), 91.1 (Nantucket) and 94.3 (Brewster),” Colella added.

Information from a press release.