Rob Wiseman announced as CEO

Classical KING announced today that Rob Wiseman has been named Chief Executive Officer following a nationwide search. A seasoned arts leader with deep ties to Seattle’s cultural community, Wiseman has served as the station’s Chief Advancement Officer since 2024 and brings a wealth of experience to the role.

In making the announcement, Search Committee Chair Jim Duncan noted, “After a competitive search and interviews with outstanding candidates, Rob’s vision and strategic approach stood out. He is a proven leader who has helped deepen the trust and partnership of Classical KING’s donors and listeners, strengthening the organization at a pivotal moment and positioning it well for the future.”

Board President Susan Harmon, added, “Rob is one of the most talented leaders I have encountered. He has a deep passion for classical music and the arts in the Pacific Northwest, and an exciting vision for Classical KING. The board and I look forward to supporting him as he assumes his new role on March 10.”

He expressed his excitement and honor to lead Classical KING, saying, “In my time at Classical KING, I have heard again and again how deeply our music matters to our listeners. I’m excited to champion the outstanding programming they love and to invite even more listeners to discover the joy of classical music.”

Wiseman succeeds Brenda Barnes who is retiring after 40 years leading public media organizations. Having served as Classical KING’s CEO for the past eight years, Wiseman and the Board are especially grateful to Barnes for her work to lead a campaign, build a new facility for the station, navigate through the pandemic, dramatically improve the financial position of the organization, and establish a solid foundation for the future.

Barnes and Wiseman have worked closely over the past two years in setting station strategy and goals. With his background in fundraising and donor engagement, Wiseman is positioned to lead the station in its next chapter. Following Congress’s budget rescission in 2025, Classical KING began operating without federal funding for the first time in its history as a non-profit station. Generous investment from listeners is fueling renewed enthusiasm for the future of classical music in the Pacific Northwest. Wiseman will lead the station to reach a broader audience through digital music platforms while remaining committed to Classical KING’s long history of local arts partnerships and high-quality programming.

Wiseman has held leadership positions at Seattle Symphony, Pacific Science Center, and Seattle Opera. He has served on the board of the Seattle Chamber Music Society and as its Co-President from 2022 to 2024. Before establishing roots in Seattle’s cultural community, Wiseman earned an MBA and an MA in Arts Management from Southern Methodist University. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he completed undergraduate studies in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky.

About Classical KING

Classical KING serves a diverse audience of classical music lovers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. In addition, the station services as a catalyst for the entire arts community as the primary resource for attracting and developing new audiences for classical music. The station has a profound reach:

• 250,000 weekly radio listeners
• Ranks in the top 5 most popular radio stations in the Seattle/Tacoma market
• 100,000 regularly stream Classical KING
• 50+ broadcasts of local concerts from performing partners each year
• 40+ live studio performances annually
• 98% locally created content

Classical KING delivers a distinctive, community‑centered classical music service through three continuous channels: Classical KING, Classical Calm, and Classical Christmas. Everything the station offers is available free of charge on 98.1 FM radio which reaches all of the Puget Sound region as well as most of Western Washington and lower British Columbia. Streaming is available anywhere, anytime online through apps, smart speakers, and numerous digital platforms – this digital audience is growing exponentially.

The station’s programming is deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest, built through longstanding partnerships with local arts organizations, musicians, and cultural institutions. Classical KING shines a light on local artists and live music experiences through its curated playlist, thematic shows like “Local Lunch,” broadcast concerts, and robust promotion of arts activities throughout the region. Guided by its commitment to diversity, the station’s programming amplifies underrepresented voices, reaches audiences often excluded from traditional arts spaces, and works diligently to reflect and serve the full breadth of the community.

The station is an independent nonprofit, and its operations are entirely supported by listener supporters, local foundation and government grants, and sponsors. Classical KING is co-located with Seattle Opera at Seattle Center, the cultural heart of the Pacific Northwest. With the largest reach, the most diverse audience, and the fewest barriers to access, Classical KING is a singular community asset.