A new role at NPR Utah for longtime RadioWest producer
For fans of the long-running KUER talk show RadioWest, Elaine Clark is a familiar name. Host Doug Fabrizio has mentioned her in the show’s closing credits a grand total of 1,959 times.
Now, after nearly 15 years as a producer on the award-winning interview program, Clark has a new role at the Salt Lake City-based NPR member station. As of this week, she is KUER’s managing editor for news.
“I’m excited to work with KUER’s talented reporting team,” Clark said. “There are so many great Utah stories to tell, and I’m honored to have a continued role in bringing those to life for our listeners.”
As managing editor, Clark will work with news director Andrew Becker to oversee the newsroom’s 14-member staff, including reporters based at KUER’s studios in Salt Lake City and two new bureaus opening in southern Utah. Her editorial skills and experience will be applied to daily newsroom operations, local and national election coverage and special projects such as the station’s 60th anniversary in 2020.
“Elaine’s deep knowledge of Utah, passion for audio storytelling and wealth of creativity will help guide our growing newsroom to new heights,” Becker said. “She’s been a dynamo in her time at RadioWest and her presence and enthusiasm is already being felt in our newsroom. I couldn’t be more excited to have her aboard.”
Clark joined RadioWest in 2004, following the show’s evolution from a weekly to a daily offering. The program, which will return from a hiatus to relaunch at the end of the summer, is known for deep-dive, intimate conversations between Fabrizio and an array of guests.
“We’ve only been on break for a few weeks and we miss her already,” said Fabrizio. “Elaine’s unique gifts will be perfect for the newsroom.”
A proud Hoosier, Clark studied folklore and Germanic studies at Indiana University. She earned a master's degree in Middle East studies from the University of Utah, which included a year of academic research and work for an education NGO in the West Bank. She’s made Utah her home since 1993. During her time with RadioWest, the program won a variety of national and local awards, including recent honorsfrom Public Radio News Directors Inc. (PRNDI) and the Utah Society of Professional Journalists. In 2012, Clark shared Salt Lake City Weekly’s award for “Best Dynamic Radio Duo” with fellow RadioWest producer Benjamin Bombard.