NPR Chief Executive Departs Abruptly After 10-Year Term

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 7, 2008 - 8:34am.

Washington - National Public Radio (NPR) announced on Friday that CEO Ken Stern will leave the network by "mutual agreement," abruptly ending his 10-year stint as a top executive at NPR.

The company did not give a specific reason for his departure.

Stern joined NPR as its COO in 1999, and since has helped it to double its weekly audience from 13 million to 26 million.

Dennis Haarsager, the chairman of NPR, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is hired. Howard Stevenson, currently board vice chair, will perform the duties of chairman, and Kevin Klose will continue in his role as president.