Dambach said, "My public media background and expertise align with what I know of the U:SA needs and expectations ... During my career I have consulted with a number of community, university, and institutional public radio, television and joint licensee stations nationwide; often helping identify and address areas of conflict between the station and the university administration. In addition to my commitment to public media in general, I also share the desire to strengthen the relationships between stations and their institutions. I feel this has been and remains the highest priority of the U:SA in order to not only better on-going relations between stations and their institutions, but to stem the tide of licensees selling off their stations because they do not fully understand the value the station brings to the institution."

The U:SA has a 19-year history as a nationwide support system for stations. Some of the U:SA initiatives include training leadership, guarding editorial integrity, reviewing governance structures, and benchmarking performance in ways that communicate value to licensees.

John Hess U:SA President said, "The US:A welcomes Virginia Dambach, a veteran public media executive. Virginia's vision for the US:A and her enthusiasm for her new role made her a unanimous choice of the search committee."

Although Dambach's tenure begins July 1, she is currently working with retiring E.D. Craig Beeby to provide a smooth transition. As the Executive Director, Dambach will have an opportunity to develop new and unique services and resources designed for institutionally-owned stations.

Beeby who has led the U:SA for 12 years is retiring. Craig was the founding board president in 2001 and in June of 2007 became the Executive Director. He doubled the size of the organization and developed an array of resources and tools for the public media system. Some of his accomplishments include modernizing the website, establishing the U:SA Leadership Academy, establishing the Annual U:SA Madison Hodges Innovator Award for Public Media Advancement, and creating The 20-Second Manager. As Director/GM, at KOSU Oklahoma State University, from 1980 to 2007 won 276 awards for news excellence and expanded into a statewide network.On the international level Beeby has been a broadcast consultant and trainer.