GRANGER -- The Northwest Communities Education Center, which operates Spanish-language public radio station KDNA of Granger, has hired its second executive director in its 24-year history.

Maria Fernandez, who had operated a consulting business in Yakima, began her duties Monday.

She succeeds Ricardo Garcia of Wapato, who founded the center and the radio station, the nation's first all-Spanish public radio station.

Garcia, 69, recently retired.

Gabriel Martinez, the station manager, said the center's board of directors selected Fernandez because of her background in business management and her interest in social service.

In her new job, Fernandez will oversee operation of the radio station and the education center's other programs, which includes a community center.

The community center and the radio station are located in a new $3.2 million building constructed with state, federal and private grants.