Press Release: WUWF announces David Brinkley as new executive director
Pensacola, Fla. – March 26, 2025 – WUWF, the listener-supported public radio station licensed to the Board of Trustees of the University of West Florida, has named David Brinkley as the new executive director following the retirement of Pat Crawford, effective March 24.
“WUWF has a demonstrated record of excellence and relevance in northwest Florida, and it is an honor to join such a well-established and talented team,” Brinkley said. “My focus areas will include continued growth, community service, emergency weather notification services, and an enhanced level of student engagement. The University of West Florida has demonstrated success with student career readiness, and we want to enhance those opportunities throughout our operations.”
As the executive director, Brinkley will be responsible for the overall operation of WUWF, which entails supervision of staff, interactions with all University departments, fundraising and legislative relations.
“I have known David for quite some time as a colleague and friend,” said Pat Crawford, outgoing executive director of WUWF who recently announced his retirement after 42 years. “We have spent the past few months meeting regularly to discuss the transition, and I am delighted to have someone of a like mind assume the leadership of the remarkable team at WUWF. He understands the critical importance of public media, and his experience with student engagement aligns perfectly with the University’s commitment to inspiring future leaders.”
Brinkley joins WUWF from the Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he served as the executive director of public media and general manager of the WKU Public Radio network of stations for more than 10 years. He also brings more than 20 years of experience in broadcast television, having previously been the television station manager for WKU-PBS. In addition to his work in public radio and broadcasting, Brinkley taught several broadcasting classes for the WKU School of Journalism and Broadcasting (now called the WKU School of Media & Communication) over the years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.
For more information about WUWF, visit wuwf.org.