FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Ave Maria Communications has announced a new leadership structure, naming Dr. Marcus Peter as President and Dr. William Kangas, as Chief Executive Officer. This leadership transition marks a renewed commitment to the apostolate’s mission: to bring the hope of Jesus Christ into every space where people are searching for meaning, truth, and healing. Under their guidance, Ave Maria Communications will strengthen its role as a trusted Catholic voice that helps people encounter Christ and live their faith fully in daily life through radio, digital media, and emerging platforms.

Dr. Kangas and Dr. Peter’s leadership builds on the foundation laid by the late Al Kresta, who led Ave Maria Communications to become one of the most trusted Catholic media apostolates in the country as well as the outgoing president and CEO, Mike Jones, who retired earlier this year after 25 years helping lead the apostolate. Together, Dr. Peter and Dr. Kangas will guide the organization into a new season of growth, service, and evangelization, helping people find Christ's light, hope, and truth amidst the confusion of truth and morals of the world today.

Ave Maria Communications exists to presents the Catholic imagination to the toughest questions faced by people today. They meet people who are in need of a solid foundation, and guide them to the hope of Jesus Christ. Under its new leadership, the apostolate will continue its mission to proclaim Christ boldly, defend Catholic truth, form disciples, and engage the culture through radio, digital media, public events, publishing, and theological formation.

The organization’s vision is simple: to help people live their faith not just on Sundays, but every day, at home, at work, and in the world. Through accessible, barrier-free content, Ave Maria Communications invites all to encounter Jesus Christ and His Church right where they are.

Leadership Rooted in Mission

Dr. Kangas brings to Ave Maria Communications a deep commitment to Catholic mission, institutional leadership, and service to the vulnerable. With more than two decades of experience leading mission-driven organizations, he holds a Ph.D. in Liturgical Theology and has spent years teaching and forming disciples in the faith. As CEO, Dr. Kangas will focus on strengthening infrastructure, expanding partnerships, and ensuring long-term vitality and growth.

“Our world is hungry for hope,” said Dr. Kangas. “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.”

Dr. Peter, a Catholic philosopher and theologian, author, speaker, and culture commentator, will serve as President with primary responsibility for the theological, evangelistic, and content vision of Ave Maria Communications. He brings to the apostolate about two decades of international experience in evangelization, culture commentary, and catechesis. In this new role, he will direct the apostolate’s intellectual and catechetical mission, oversee and mentor talent and programming, oversee all content development across platforms, and serve as its chief theological and evangelistic voice.

“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,” said Dr. Peter. “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.”

Ave Maria Communications is inviting listeners, donors, and partners to join in this renewed mission, helping bring the light of Christ into the places that need it most. Through Ave Maria Radio, its expanding digital platforms, and its partnership with the EWTN Global Catholic Network, the apostolate reaches listeners across nine Ave Maria stations and hundreds of affiliates nationwide. This leadership change is being mead to ensure that faithful Catholic voices continue to shine in emerging media spaces, guiding hearts toward the truth and hope of the Gospel.

Michael Jones offered this reflection on the change following his retirement:

"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. 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. Please keep Dr. Marcus Peter and Dr. William Kangas in your prayers as they lead us forward."

As Ave Maria Communications moves forward, its mission remains unchanged: to create content that helps people encounter Jesus Christ and live out their faith in every area of life, for the salvation of souls. Mi

About Ave Maria Communications

Ave Maria Communications is a Catholic media apostolate based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel, teaching the Catholic faith, engaging contemporary culture, and forming disciples through radio, digital media, public events, and theological content. Through Ave Maria Radio and related initiatives, Ave Maria Communications serves Catholics and seekers with faithful, intelligent, and evangelistic programming rooted in the magisterial teaching of the Catholic Church.