John LansingPresident and CEO of NPR from 2019 until his retirement earlier this year, died this week at his home in Wisconsin, according to NPR. He was 67.

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

NPR CEO Katherine Maher, who replaced Lansing in March, said in a statement that her predecessor “had a tremendous impact on the culture at NPR and led the organization through some of its most difficult times. His commitment to improving audience and employee diversity at NPR has left an indelible positive impression.”

CPB President Pat Harrison said in a statement that Lansing’s work at NPR “will continue to inspire future generations.” Pat Butler, president of America’s Public Television Stations, said Lansing’s service at NPR was “the culmination of an extraordinary career in media and public service, and he leaves behind an outstanding professional legacy and countless personal friends.”

Lansing succeeded Jarl Mohn as CEO of NPR in October 2019. Just months later, he was faced with the task of leading the news organization through the COVID-19 pandemic. In her statement, Maher praised Lansing for his “speed and decisiveness during this difficult time.”

Listenership initially increased due to a surge in news consumption. But as the pandemic continued, NPR, like other stations, was hit by audience declines that later led to a drop in sponsorship revenue. In March 2023, Lansing announced a restructuring that included layoffs and the discontinuation of podcasts.

Prior to the cuts, Lansing oversaw the development and implementation of the NPR Network initiative and a strategic plan to diversify audiences. In August 2023, he decided to combine NPR’s programming and news departments under the leadership of a chief content officer.

When Lansing announced his plan to retire, he expressed pride in what he had accomplished during his tenure: “We have been through a lot together over the past four years, and you have made me proud every day,” he wrote in a note to employees. “All of you – and I mean every person working in every capacity at every level of this company – have stepped up to serve our audiences and the public interest during a time of incredible need.”

After his retirement, Lansing joined the Annenberg Center for Communication Leadership and Policy at the University of Southern California in Washington, DC as a senior fellow.

Prior to NPR, Lansing was CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which operates international broadcast services such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He also served as president of Scripps Networks from 2005 to 2013, overseeing cable networks such as Food Network and HGTV.

Lansing began his journalism career at age 17, when he was a studio technician and cameraman for a Louisville television station, according to an NPR report on his death. He later became a videographer, news director and local station manager at E.W. Scripps Co.

The immediate reaction from current and former NPR staffers on social media praised Lansing’s leadership.

Lulu Garcia-Navarro, former host of NPR’s Weekend edition Sunday and co-moderator Firstsaid at X that he was “a moral leader who cared deeply about people.”

Cheryl Thompson, investigative correspondent and senior editor, said on X: “He led NPR through some difficult times and I always appreciated his candor. His door was always open to me and I’m grateful for that.”

Brandon Carter, former associate producer for social media on NPR’s political desk, said: “There are no perfect media leaders. But at the beginning of the pandemic, John was adamant that NPR would not cut jobs. He worked hand in hand with our union @WeMakeNPR and we were able to avoid layoffs. I will always admire him for that. My condolences to his family.”

According to the NPR report, Lansing leaves behind his wife Jean and their children Alex, Jackson, Nicholas and Jennifer.

This article has been updated to include statements from Pat Harrison and Pat Butler.