MPR's new president is former Bush Foundation, Star Tribune leader

Minnesota Public Radio has named Duchesne Drew as its next president. American Public Media Group president and CEO Jon McTaggart made the announcement Wednesday.

Duchesne Drew is the new president of Minnesota Public Radio.
Duchesne Drew has been named president of Minnesota Public Radio.
MPR News

Drew, 52, was most recently an executive at the Bush Foundation and spent many years at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, where he rose through the ranks from a summer intern to managing editor of operations.

The MPR division within American Public Media Group includes MPR News, Classical MPR, The Current and digital services.

McTaggart said Drew’s news experience and “his commitment to using public media to inform and inspire people is a perfect fit for MPR.”

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“Duchesne has a wonderful ability to connect with people and welcome new ideas. He brings passion and curiosity about how MPR can serve our audiences even better,” McTaggart said in a news release.

While at the Bush Foundation, Drew served as community vice president, in charge of creating networks across the region. He also sits on the boards of a number of organizations, including the African American Leadership Forum and the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce.

He serves on the Leadership Council of Make It. MSP., an effort to attract “people from around the world” to live and work in the Twin Cities.

Drew begins his new job May 4.

“Our music and news services are proving their importance in people’s lives. I’m honored to lead these talented teams and I look forward to helping us serve even more Minnesotans,” he said.

Drew is married to MPR News host Angela Davis. She does not report directly to the president of MPR. The company has protocols in place when married couples work within the organization.

He replaces Tim Roesler, APMG’s chief business development officer, who has served as interim president of MPR.