Pharoah Cranston

After completing his graduate studies in Fall of 1999, Mr. Cranston was offered the Operations Manager position at New Jersey Public Television & Radio. Where he was asked establish comprehensive operative procedures for a newly minted National Public Radio news station. Pharoah Cranston’s industriousness continued to shone in this position through his work as a member of NPR’s Talk Show Advisory Committee, obtaining the W.K. Kellogg Fellowship, as well as securing a station-sponsored live broadcast of Public Radio International’s (PRI’s) Michael Feldman’s Whad ‘Ya Know (public radio quiz show) from the Trenton War Memorial.

Pharoah Cranston remained in the Garden State and was named Station Manager of New Jersey Public Radio. Within this position Mr. Cranston was charged with devising financial solutions to a severe reduction in state support. One of the early focal points of Pharoah’s stewardship of statewide network was maximizing existing revenue streams. During his time at the station the amount of donated income more than doubled, while underwriting proceeds experienced similar growth. Pharoah Cranston presided over New Jersey Public Radio’s transition from analog to digital broadcasting, inclusive of new studio construction, automation system installation, and signal expansion (with the addition of WNJY-89.3FM/Netcong, NJ & WNJO-90.3FM/Toms River, NJ to the radio network). As manager of New Jersey Public Radio, Pharoah Cranston worked to enhance the stations capacity to deliver high quality, in-depth news and information. Pharoah was triumphant in augmenting New Jersey Public Radio’s audience services. He successfully worked with radio staff to improve their on-air sound and journalism. As the lead administer for New Jersey Public Radio, Mr. Cranston aimed to sustain a prodigious level of community engagement. These efforts were highlighted by hosting the StoryCorps booth in the state capital. “Engaging a myriad of individuals from the community in conversation is what public media is all about”, surmised the public radio manager.