Debra Fraser had never been to Kansas until she was recently hired by KMUW to be the next general manager and news director.

“It’s been dramatic,” Fraser said, referring to her move from Houston, Texas to the sunflower state.

Fraser will take over on July 1.

A graduate from the University of Texas, Austin, Fraser recieved a bachelor’s degree in communications for radio, television and film.

She comes to KMUW after 25 years of working for public radio at Houston’s KHUF.

She started there as a reporter but eventually was promoted to news director. Fraser was let go last June from KHUF after a merger between two public radio stations and a public TV station.

As news director of KHUF, she doubled the size of the radio station from 25 to 50 employees and increased the amount of local coverage.

Fraser said growth will be one the her main goals at KMUW.

She said working for KMUW is a “perfect fit” with the people there. Mike Wood, interim general manager at KMUW agreed.

“She has a national presence and she knows the ropes already,” he said.

Fraser said public radio provides a service not available in other media forms.

“It’s an independent voice that’s paid for by the people, and for the people,” Fraser said. “Its’ mission is an opportunity to engage in community topics.”

Fraser, her husband Kevin and two dogs, Sam and Sadie, will move into downtown Wichita in the coming weeks.