TED ELDREDGE

Ted grew up in Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod.  After graduation from high school, he attended Syracuse University, but dropped out after a year to pursue a career in radio broadcasting.  His work in radio included production and programming, and he served as a Radio Program Director at several stations before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1962.  Upon discharge from the Army, he resumed his radio career in Jefferson City, MO as program director of KWOS.  In 1967, Congress passed legislation creating the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and Ted saw the potential in being a pioneer in what has become Public Radio in the U.S.  At the same time, he resumed his college studies, graduating with a BA in History at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO.  He  enrolled for graduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia and earned his masters degree in Radio-TV-Film in 1972.  While pursuing his MA, he was hired to be the program director of KBIA, the University’s brand new public radio station.  Two years later, he was promoted to General Manager of the station where he stayed until being recruited by Temple University in Philadelphia to become the GM at WRTI. By the time he left Temple in 1997, he had built up a single station into a twelve station network that covered most of eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and northern Delaware with its unique all-jazz format.  Upon re-locating to South Florida, Ted became the Radio Station Manager at WLRN in Miami.  He was responsible for re-formatting the station, expanding its audience and fundraising capability, and turning it into one of the most listened to public radio stations in the country.

Ted’s passion is choral singing, and he has sung with the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, the Florida Philharmonic Chorus and the Master Chorale of South Florida among other groups.  He is a past president of the Choral Arts Society and served on its Board for seven years.  He is also active in the Episcopal Church, and serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Chalice Bearer and Lay Reader.  He is a former Senior Warden of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami, and has served on several governing boards for the Diocese of Missouri and Episcopal churches where he has been a member.  He is also active in Outreach work and homeless feeding programs in Miami.  He is a former board member of Carrefour Supportive Housing in Miami.

Ted was first invited to become a Rotarian in 1980 by one of his college professors in Columbia, MO.  Upon moving to Philadelphia, Ted was invited to join the Rotary Club of Philadelphia where he served as program chair, board of director’s member, and president of the Rotary Foundation of Philadelphia.  He was president-elect of the Philadelphia club when, due to family reasons, he decided to re-locate to South Florida in 1997.  He was welcomed into the Rotary Club of Miami where he is a past president (2007-2008), secretary, board member and avenue of service chair.  At the District level, he has served on the Finance and Procedure Committee, and as an Assistant Governor.  He has completed all of the Rotary Leadership Institute coursework, as well as Discussion Leader training.  He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a benefactor and Bequest Society member.  He has attended five International Conventions and numerous District Conferences and Assemblies.

Ted and Lucia met when he relocated to the Philadelphia area and married in1986.  He has four stepchildren (Cathy, Jim, Tom and Chris) and six grandchildren (Hannah, Ian, Marley, Madison, Alex and Briana).