Veteran Miami Spanish-language radio broadcaster Salvador Lew will head the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which operates Radio and TV Martí, the White House announced Friday.

 Lew, a Cuban Jew who turned 72 in March, said he hoped to strengthen programming at both outlets.

 "I hope with the help of God that we will bring Radio Martí back to what it was -- or better, Lew said, adding that listenership appears to have slipped dramatically at the station. "Radio and TV Martí have been deteriorating for a long time.

 Lew, who underwent quintuple bypass surgery earlier this year, has both management experience and a prominent background in broadcasting.