The new Iowa Public Radio, promoted as dramatic and completely changed by its supporters, is one step closer in naming its new executive director.

Cindy Browne, a Minnesota consultant and former executive vice president for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and John Stark, general manager of Northern Arizona University’s public radio station KNAU, are scheduled to visit the three regent universities later this month — they plan to be on the ISU campus July 21 and 25, respectively. After the selection of a new director by the Iowa Public Radio executive committee, the appointment does not need to be approved by the Iowa Board of Regents.

Announcement of the finalists came after the consolidation of Iowa’s three university-supported public radio stations into Iowa Public Radio, a process approved by the Regents last December.

The recommendations in a report by law firm Bernstein and Associates of Lenexa, Kan. were used by the Board in structuring the new Iowa Public Radio.

“Additional funding will come if you first improve your service,” the report said. “If you are going to change, change dramatically, and do it completely.”

One of the reasons behind the consolidation is saving money.

“Money comes from a variety of sources,” said Iowa Board of Regents spokeswoman Barb Boose.

She said stations receive state and federal funding in addition to private gifts and underwriting.

The secondary objective in the report was to make Iowa Public Radio more self-sufficient by increasing membership and sponsorship.

The entities which now compose Iowa Public Radio have yearly revenues of around $6 million.

Warren Madden, vice president for business and finance, is a member of the executive council for Iowa Public Radio.

He said in addition to the recommendations of the report, one of the goals the council has dealt with is expanding Iowa Public Radio’s coverage.