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His moving truck will roll into West Des Moines June 20 and on July 1, Jonathan Ahl will start in the newly created position of news director of Iowa Public Radio (IPR). Eager to move to Des Moines and get situated in his new home, with his wife and two young kids, Ahl claims, “I’ve only been to Des Moines a handful of times, but downstate Illinois feels a whole lot like Iowa to me.”

How did you land the position at IPR?

I was at a reception in Minneapolis late last fall and I was talking with the content director for IPR. He had mentioned that IPR was going to be looking for a news director soon. So I kept watching for the position and when it posted, I applied.

What is your educational and career background?

I have a B.A. in music theory and composition from Western Illinois University and a M.A. in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois, Springfield.

The first radio station I worked at was actually a classical music station in McComb, Ill. Over my time there, I realized that being a journalist was a lot more fun than hosting classical music shows. After that, I spent one year in commercial radio and then I spent the last 11 years at WCBU in Peoria, Ill.

News director is a newly created position. How do you plan to develop this position and really make it your own?

I’m going to start by spending a lot of time working with the staff that’s there. There are a large number of very creative, dedicated staff members. I’m going to ask myself, “How do we take this great number of assets and turn it into something better than what they already accomplished?” I want to spend a lot of time upfront listening and accumulating information before I work with the other section teams at IPR.

What will some of your responsibilities be?

I’m still not sure, to be quite honest. There is clearly a vision for IPR in terms of programming excellence to all the state’s residents, but it is certainly going to take me a little bit of time to know how to make that happen. But foremost, I want to ensure high quality, in-depth journalism that really serves the people of Iowa very, very well.

What is one of your biggest accomplishments?

When I came to WCBU, the news effort here was very poor, and after 11 years here, I feel like I am leaving it as a station with a really good track record of telling really good stories that weren’t being told elsewhere – giving listeners high-quality stories they could rely on. WCBU was kind of in shambles when I got here, and when I leave it will be very strong.

How did you makeyour first dollar?

My first actual earned dollar, beside the money my dad used to pay me to rake the leaves in the yard, was when I was 14. I did inventory for a ceramic store. A friend of my parents owned a ceramic store and they needed temporary help, and as a freshman in high school, I didn’t really care what the work was.

What is one thing you never leave the house or office without?

My pocket knife. My dad always taught me you always carry your pocket knife with you in case you have a string on your shirt, or you have to tighten a screw. My wife even carries a pocket knife in her purse.

What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

Bad customer service. I find it inexcusable.

What helps you wake up in the morning?

Coffee. I once realized I had a problem with coffee 10 years ago. I poured a fresh mug of hot coffee before leaving the house, got in my car to leave, took my first sip, and I said out loud to myself, “Oh sweet love.” Then I knew it was a problem and confirmed that coffee is the vice I am never willing to give up

What is one thing you say too much?

“At the end of the day.” It’s a tic.