Photos courtesy KCBX
KCBX Central Coast Public Radio has announced the death of its former president and general manager Frank Lanzone.
For nearly 46 years, beginning in 1980 until his retirement earlier this year, Lanzone expanded the station’s reach to encompass three Central Coast counties, established the KCBX Newsroom, led pledge drives, and helped create community events such as the KCBX Central Coast Wine Classic and Live Oak Music Festival.
After stepping down in February, he continued to serve as vice president of KCBX and as executive director of Live Oak, which launched in 1989.
Lanzone died September 10 after a brief illness at the age of 77.
“No one was more dedicated to the station, people and the community than Frank,” according to current KCBX president and general manager Chris McBride. “We are grateful for his decades of leadership, mentorship and friendship. We will miss him tremendously.”
For many years, Lanzone also served as the president of California Public Radio, an organization that represented the interests of public radio stations throughout the state.
KCBX plans to celebrate Lanzone’s life during the upcoming second annual Central Coast Sessions event at The Rock in San Luis Obispo on November 7. At that time the station also will honor longtime station operations manager Hank Hadley, who passed away on August 30.