ANN ARBOR — Ann Arbor-based Ave Maria Communications, which operates Ave Mario Radio (990-AM), announced a change in its leadership structure, naming Marcus Peter, Ph.D., as president and William Kangas, Ph.D., as chief executive officer.
The change comes in the wake of the retirement of former president and CEO Mike Jones, who spent 25 years in leadership at the apostolate, and the 2024 passing of founder and president Al Kresta, who died at 72 after a battle with liver cancer.
Together, Kangas and Peter will continue the mission of Ave Maria Radio and usher it into a new era, according to the organization's news release.
"For thirty years, Ave Maria Communications has helped bring countless individuals, families, and communities closer to Jesus Christ through the faithful witness and vision first embodied by Al Kresta,” Jones said. “I have full confidence in the new leadership, whose theological depth and missionary conviction will guide this apostolate into a new generation of evangelization.
"Millions have already been impacted by this work, and I am confident that in the years ahead, millions more will encounter the saving hope of Christ through this mission," Jones added. "Please keep Dr. Marcus Peter and Dr. William Kangas in your prayers as they lead us forward."
Kangas brings to Ave Maria Communications more than two decades of experience leading “mission-driven organizations." Formerly a Protestant minister, Kangas has a Ph.D. in liturgical theology.
“Our world is hungry for hope,” Kangas said. “Ave Maria Communications exists to proclaim that hope, the person of Jesus Christ, in every space where people are searching. We want to make sure that encounter is possible without barriers so that the Gospel can reach hearts right where they are.”
Peter, a Catholic philosopher and theologian who joined Ave Maria Communications seven years ago, was trained and mentored by Kresta himself. Peter took over “Kresta in the Afternoon” when the Catholic media giant became sick. After his passing, the program transitioned to “Ave Maria in the Afternoon.”
“Al Kresta was an outstanding evangelist and a beloved mentor and teacher to me. To succeed him in both broadcasting and leading the apostolate’s mission is very humbling,” Peter said. “Good Catholic media does more than comment on events. It interprets all of existence through the mind of Christ and the teaching of His Church. The world is fracturing itself in sin and increasing despair. We exist to evangelize people to live their faith every day, in every part of their lives, because Christ is the answer.”
