Pat Batcheller (WDET Host, Morning Edition & The Takeaway)

“I’m passionate about the news and the way it’s presented. I want to give you a clear, concise and complete newscast every morning.” Pat has more than twenty years of journalism experience and has spent his entire reporting career in Michigan, joining the WDET news team in 2007. A native of the area, Pat grew up in Trenton and is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. He has worked at radio stations in Ludington, St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo, Howell and Detroit. During his career, Pat has been honored with many awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists and Michigan Association of Broadcasters for breaking news, feature reporting and newscasts.

Email Pat at pbatcheller(at)wdet(dot)org

J.Mikel Ellcessor (WDET General Manager)

J. Mikel Ellcessor is the General Manager of WDET. Under Mikel's guidance, WDET has established itself as a trusted source for news and a skilled convener of conversations on the region's most important conversations. As WDET's chief executive, Mikel is drawing from his 20+ years of media management experience including work as Sr. Director of Programming for WNYC, New York and as the Executive Director of Radio for Milwaukee, a cutting edge media concept that uses contemporary music and community engagement strategies to draw younger, diverse audiences into public service media. Mikel is deeply committed to expanding the role of public media in our community. "When we effectively use our broadcast, online and mobile technologies in combination with our ability to engage and mobilize a community around the larger civic good," Ellcessor says, "there's no limit to the ways a community can benefit and grow."

Craig Fahle (Host, The Craig Fahle Show)

“Coming back to Detroit was one of the easiest decisions my family has ever made. We missed it here. The people, the city, family, friends…not to mention this is one of the best news towns out there, anywhere. WDET has always been important to me, especially as a listener. I want to be a part of this place. The best thing about this job is that I have lived here almost my entire life, and yet I learn something new about Detroit every day. I’ll never get tired of that.” Craig Fahle has spent the vast majority of his life here in Metro Detroit. After studying Political Science and history at Western Michigan University, Craig attended the Specs Howard School of Media Arts. While there, Craig turned an internship at WDET into a job covering Detroit’s city council. In 1994, Craig went to work the State Capitol beat for the Michigan Public Radio network. He returned to WDET in 1996, where he was a reporter, and eventually local host of Morning Edition, a post he held for nine years. He left WDET for a second time, for an editorial position at public radio station WFAE in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1997, Craig found himself returning home to WDET to handle his dream job of hosting a daily talk show.

Email Craig at cfahle(at)wdet(dot)org

Martina Guzman (WDET Feature Reporter)

Martina Guzman is WDET’s community reporter. Before coming to WDET, Martina worked as an independent marketing and Public Relations consultant for television, live music events, film festivals, magazines and political candidates. Recently she directed documentary, The Accidental Mummies of Guanajuato, which aired on Detroit Public Television. Martina has been recognized as Best Individual Reporter by the Associated Press of Michigan. She is a graduate of the Journalism School at Columbia University. Martina is committed to bringing the voice of marginalized communities to WDET listeners.

Email Martina Guzman at mguzman(at)wdet(dot)org

Joan Isabella (Executive Producer, The Craig Fahle Show)

"I couldn't pass by this opportunity because the work of WDET in Detroit is so crucial. The Craig Fahle Show is essential to the exchange of ideas and the dialogue in our community.” Joan Cherry Isabella started her media career on a daily, live television show, then moved to talk radio and worked her way up to executive producer at WCAU-AM in Philadelphia. She moved to Detroit in 1989 as executive producer at WXYT-AM. In the early 1990s she was named executive producer of WJBK Television's Dayna Show. Isabella became a partner at C&B Scene, Public Relations before joining Mitch Albom to create and launch "Albom in the Afternoon" on WJR-AM. In 2000, Isabella left WJR to stay home with her newborn son and worked at home as a media consultant until the opprotunity to work at WDET drew her back into broadcast industry.

Ron Jones (WDET Program Director)

"My mantra is ‘think audience’ and as WDET's program director, that applies to everything I do. As we deliver our content beyond broadcast to online and mobile platforms, making what we do more listener focused is even more important." As WDET's Program Director, Jones assures that the station's editorial output meets the highest standards of journalistic and aesthetic excellence. Ron a B.S. degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Kansas. His extensive experience includes positions as Vice President of Programming at WBEZ Chicago Public Radio and its related stations; Program Director, WGBH-FM in Boston, MA; General Manager of WERS-FM in Boston; Program Director at KCUR-FM in Kansas City, MO; and Program Director at KANU-FM in Lawrence, KS. Under his leadership, Chicago Public Radio won numerous regional and national awards for programming and journalistic excellence.

Sausha Kellogg (Manager, Administrative Services)

In her role as Administrative Services Manager, Sausha ensures that the station's financial management will be administered with the utmost integrity with emphasis on efficiency improvements and fiscal responsibility. Her experience includes financial analysis and forecasting, development of financial goals and objectives, budgeting, and grant and contract management. Sausha holds a B.S. in Business Administration-Accounting from Wayne State University. Prior to coming to WDET, Sausha was in Wayne State University - Business and Auxiliary Operations department and also served as Financial Officer at Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation.

Quinn Klinefelter (WDET Senior News Editor)

"I grab news in the morning, check the papers and the wires, call sources and take a big gulp of coffee,” says Quinn Klinefelter. “That's how I start the day." Quinn joined WDET in 1998 after working with the British Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Radio where he produced and hosted news and current events shows. He has been on top of the news for nearly a decade and honored for it by the Wisconsin Broadcasting Association and the Robert F. Hyland/CBS Radio Award for feature reporting for nearly a decade. Klinefelter was literally on top of the news in 1996 when he interviewed then-Senator Bob Dole and stepped on his feet during the Dole/Kemp run for the Presidency.

Email Quinn at qklinefelter(at)wdet(dot)org

Amy Miller (Producer, The Craig Fahle Show)

Amy grew up in North Rosedale Park on Detroit’s west side. Her public radio career began in 1986 when she took an opportunity to be a reporter at Alaska Public Radio Network. During her 17 years in Alaska Public Radio, she served as reporter, news director, regional news director and program host. Before leaving Alaska, Amy served as Regional News Director for CoastAlaska, Inc., a consortium of five public radio stations along Alaska’s panhandle. After leaving, Amy spent four years in Missouri hosting a talk show on a commercial radio station. She came back to Detroit to host WDET's local Morning Edition _ program. After 3 years on-air each morning she moved into the position as producer of _The Craig Fahle Show. Now she works to provide listeners with engaging issues, guests and topics relevant to our daily lives in Metro Detroit.

Email Amy at amiller(at)wdet(dot)org

Brent McKay (WDET Sales Representative)

Brent McKay came to WDET in March of 2010 with more than ten years of media sales experience in the Detroit market. With a well rounded background in radio, print, and online marketing and advertising, Brent lends his expertise in developing and implementing effective on-air and online campaigns for WDET clients. Brent also enjoys taking time to engage with the WDET audience, mixing things up as a producer of events like Jon Moshier’s ‘A Night with Modern Music’ fundraising party at The Crofoot, and emceeing the monthly ‘Ann Delisi Essential Music Listening Parties’ that take place on the third Thursday of the month at the Majestic Café.

Erica Murphy (WDET Producer, Morning Edition & The Takeaway & Anchor, Weekend Edition)

Erica Murphy is a product of the Detroit Public School system and Wayne State University's journalism program. Erica earned her journalism chops while serving as a weekend news anchor and reporter at WDET. She left WDET in 2008 to produce "Inside Detroit with Mildred Gaddis" on WCHB-AM. She returned to WDET in 2010 to serve as morning news producer/weekend anchor.

Email Erica at emurphy(at)wdet(dot)org

Michael Perkins (WDET Corporate Underwriting Sales Manager)

Michael Perkins holds a M.B.A. from The University of Detroit and a B.A. in International Business and French from Alma College. He has 15 years of media sales experience with 11 years in commercial radio sales with CBS and Clear Channel Communications. Michael brings his commercial sales and promotions experience to public radio, assisting corporate and non-profit underwriting clients reach WDET’s quality audience.

Michelle Srbinovich (Digital Manager)

Michelle Srbinovich came to WDET in December of 2009 from Campbell-Ewald Advertising where she served as a Social Media Strategist and a Community Moderator for NavyForMoms.com, an award-winning online community of over 30,000 members. Her role at WDET involves coordinating and managing the station's digital and social media strategies, informing and engaging our listeners in the digital space. Michelle is a passionate advocate for the city of Detroit and is also deeply involved with the Detroit advertising community. She also serves on the Adcraft Club Board of Directors.

Rob St. Mary (WDET Reporter, Public Insight Analyst)

"I'm proud to be at WDET," says Rob St. Mary. "I've been listening to the station since I was a kid and always enjoyed the depth of news and music programming. It’s exciting to be part of the evolution of WDET. We are working daily to make the station a more meaningful and impactful place for community conversation and connection." A graduate of Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Rob grew up in Clinton Township, Michigan. Over his career, he has worked at WJR in Detroit, WLEW in Bad Axe, WSGW in Saginaw and WOOD in Grand Rapids before returning home to work at WDET.. Rob has been honored numerous times by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, the Michigan Associated Press Broadcasters Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Radio Television News Directors Association. When he is not reporting, Rob is busy volunteering and being creative. He is a painter, filmmaker, musician and writer.

Email Rob at rstmary(at)wdet(dot)org or follow him on Twitter @RobDET

Lea Thomas (Membership Manager)

Lea’s taken the circuitous route to her new home at WDET. From professional vocalist to theatre manager, mom and preschool teacher, she has a vast array of experiences that have led her to this point in her career. As an educator in Michigan and Arizona – and then back to Michigan - her mantra became "Every child is a door. My job is to find the right key." There, she honed her ability to tune into someone's needs and quickly became one of the most parent-requested teachers in the school. As an Event Planner, she became skilled at negotiating contracts, meeting tight budgets and calming nervous brides. In 2001 her life changed drastically and she focused her energy on being impassioned speaker for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Michigan. Late in 2002 Lea was unwittingly drawn further into the development world by a colleague who saw her potential. To this day she continues to serve the families of LLS of Michigan, raising research funding and awareness of blood borne cancers. She also proved successful in her work as Development Director at a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, increasing community partnerships and funding and doubling volunteer numbers to meet growing capacity. Lea holds a certificate from The Fundraising School at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and plans to complete a degree in Philanthropic Studies there. Coming to WDET in response to a Facebook posting for a volunteer, she was soon added to the staff as the Membership Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator, and is delighted to now be serving as our Membership Director. Lea's also insanely proud to have raised a promising Chef, and a United States Airman. She has deep and somewhat dangerous roots in Detroit. Ask her some time!

Alex Trajano (WDET Production Manager)

Alex "Thrilla" Trajano is a mainstay of the Detroit music scene. He performs all over Detroit & Ann Arbor and has toured the US, Europe and Scandinavia. His musical projects include, among many others, Blue Dog (signed with New York's famed Knitting Factory Works Records), The Oblivion Project (an ensemble dedicated to the repertoire of Argentinean tango master Astor Piazzolla) and his indie rock band, Bright Out. As owner of Thrilla Park Studios, Trajano has recorded and/or produced CDs for artists ranging from Marcus Belgrave to Iggy Pop and the Stooges. The studio path led to work in Audio Post Engineering, VO work, and his current post as a Producer and Audio Guru of Detroit's public radio station, WDET. Trajano is the father of three children and has an irrational fear of clowns, soap and tall women.

Matt Trevethan (WDET Operations Manager)

Matthew began working for WDET in 1996 as a D.R.I.S intern and Assistant Membership Director. Three months into his tenure with WDET, he was offered a position in the Production Department. While in the production department, he worked as a board-operator and one of the main mixing engineers for live music at the station. Matthew’s work appears on each of the four Live at WDET discs. In 2001, Matthew was promoted to Assistant Production Director and then in 2005 Production Director. In 2009, Matthew was promoted to his current position as Operations Manager. Matthew also is the Technical Director for The Craig Fahle Show. Matthew is a graduate of Wayne State University, he and his wife Lisa enjoy their “fuzzy” children, Hana, Ophelia, Sascha, and Steve. His favorite color is black, and enjoys long walks at midnight.

Travis Robinson Wright (WDET Host, All Things Considered & Director of STAR)

Born in northern Ontario, Travis Wright was raised just north of Detroit, in Southfield. The son of career artists, he studied English at Wayne State University, but spent (too) much of that time traveling throughout the state, country, and world ? on his own dime. In 2005, with the late Cantor Stephen Dubov, Wright was commissioned by the Jewish federation to pen an educational musical (which Wright refers to as a Jewsical) called “Chai: Live the Dash.” After years spent as a frustrated poet and fledging creative writer, Travis turned to Detroit’s local alternative weeklies looking for structure and guidance. He was hungry for deadlines. From 2006 to 2009, he worked in various capacities at the entertainment rag Real Detroit, at one-time writing under three names . Hired as an intern three years before, he left Real as Editor to join the distinguished staff of Detroit’s acclaimed news, music, art and culture weekly Metro Times as its Arts & Culture Editor. A musician (he’s penned many music reviews and Detroit centric features for SPIN), photographer and cook, Wright is a total news junkie, storyteller (he’s a Moth StorySlam winner), and unabashed Detroitphile. He brings a voice balanced by humble humor and clever cultural insight to WDET’s afternoon airwaves.

Jerome Vaughn (WDET News Director)

"It's so important to get the next generation of public radio radio news producers involved in the process right now,” says Jerome Vaughn. “We can't afford to let them choose their career path, without considering public radio. So, I'm doing my part to get young people around the country interested in what we do at WDET." An award-winning journalist, Jerome Vaughn joined WDET in 1992 to help chronicle Detroit's comeback and let people around the world know the truth about his hometown. His interest in news reporting began when he was four years old, when his mom bought him a yellow Panasonic ball and chain radio. He listened to news on it all the time and took inspiration from Walter Cronkite, Charles Collingwood and Eric Sevareid. In his spare time, Jerome enjoys spending time with his wife and eight children, coaching his kids' soccer teams and gardening. Jerome also runs the news department's internship program and has served as a mentor for NPR's Next Generation Radio Project.

Email Jerome Vaughn at jvaughn(at)wdet(dot)org