Not everyone at Wisconsin Public Radio grew up with a mic in their hand. Dean Knetter, executive producer of “Wisconsin Today,” was born holding a block of cheese.
Before coming to WPR more than a decade ago, Dean worked as a professional cheesemonger. That means he is considered an expert in selecting, storing and selling a wide variety of artisanal cheeses.
“I have a lot of respect for what our cheesemakers in Wisconsin do,” Dean said.
What he loves about cheese is the blend of history and creativity; the craft dates back centuries. It is also what draws him to watercolor painting, blues music and furniture restoration. His latest project is restoring a 1956 Grundig record player with a shortwave radio console.
This appreciation of the past with an eye toward the future crosses over to his love for public radio. WPR is a century-old service with news and storytelling that is free and accessible.
“Service is baked into our entire reason to be here,” Dean said. “All journalism should serve the public, but we have it in our DNA.”
His first step into radio came from hosting a weekly music show at WSUM Madison called “The Roots & The Fruits.”
In 2014, he joined WPR as an announcer for The Ideas Network. At the time, the quiz show “Whad’Ya Know?” broadcast live from Monona Terrace in Madison was still on the airwaves.
He then moved up to board operation, production, fill-in host, executive producer of “Central Time” and most recently helped launch WPR’s public affairs show, “Wisconsin Today.”
As a leader, the team knows Dean as the calm voice in the midst of chaos — and the person always willing to help build a holiday charcuterie board.
– Mackenzie Krumme, “Wisconsin Today” Producer
