New York Public Radio Names Thomas J. Reno Chief Operating and Financial Officer
Reno brings decades of finance, operations, strategic planning, and change management experience
(New York, NY — April 7, 2025) – New York Public Radio (NYPR) President and CEO LaFontaine E. Oliver today announced that Thomas J. Reno has been named Chief Operating and Financial Officer. Reno joins NYPR from Precision Strategies, a DC-based strategic communications agency.
NYPR is home to the largest public radio group in the country, comprising WNYC, the top news and information public radio station in the country; WQXR, New York City’s sole classical station; Gothamist, a local NYC news site; WNYC Studios, producer of some of the industry’s most influential podcasts; NJPR, which extends WNYC’s reach into New Jersey; and The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, NYPR’s street-level live event space in Lower Manhattan.
In this newly-created role, Reno will be charged with leading and managing the administrative, financial and business-operations aspects of NYPR. He will help set organization strategy and vision; ensure alignment of Content, Revenue and Audience goals, priorities, and resources; oversee day-to-day operations; and help drive a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation.
“Tom possesses an incredibly diverse blend of financial acumen, talent management, operations, and human resources experience,” said LaFontaine E. Oliver, President and CEO, New York Public Radio. “He has a strong track record of driving business goals and a people-centric leadership approach that inspires high-performing teams to operational excellence. At this critical moment for public media and journalism, Tom is the ideal candidate to help us align strategy, goals and resources to deliver on our mission of providing audiences with trusted local news, award-winning national programming, classical music, and community conversations.”
“I’m thrilled to join NYPR at this important moment in its history, and I look forward to working with LaFontaine to execute his plan and vision for the organization,” said Reno. “As an enthusiastic believer in the mission of public radio, I am eager to share my 30-plus years of experience successfully guiding a diverse group of communication and media businesses with the NYPR team.”
Reno brings decades of finance, operations, strategic planning, and change management experience, primarily in the public relations space. He joins NYPR from Precision Strategies, a DC-based strategic communications firm, where he is currently Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Previously, he held senior positions at some of the largest PR agencies, including Burson Cohn & Wolfe, 42 West, GCI Group, Ogilvy Public Relations, and Hill & Knowlton. Prior to that, he worked in investor relations, and very early in his career was a financial reporter for Dow Jones Telerate US Corporate Markets Newswire.
Reno holds a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree from Colorado State University. He also completed the Leading Professional Service Firms Program at Harvard Business School and holds a Certificate in Corporate Finance from New York Institute for Finance and a Certificate in Labor Relations Communication from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University.
ABOUT NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, New York Public Radio (NYPR) produces innovative, critically-acclaimed programming for local and national broadcast, on-demand and live streaming audiences. NYPR’s brands include WNYC, WQXR, WNYC Studios, Gothamist, New Jersey Public Radio, and the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. The WNYC / Gothamist newsroom produces award-winning local journalism for New York City, New Jersey and the surrounding region. WQXR, New York’s only all-classical radio station, broadcasts new and archival classical recordings and makes live performances from NYC’s esteemed concert halls accessible to all. WNYC Studios is a premier producer of on-demand and national broadcast audio, and home to some of the industry’s most impactful award-winning podcasts and national radio shows, including Radiolab, On the Media, and The New Yorker Radio Hour. The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space is NYPR’s intimate street-level broadcast studio and live event space. Further information about programs, podcasts, and stations may be found at www.nypublicradio.org.