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King Grossman (Listener Candidate)

Candidate Questionnaire
Radio Spot
Video
Video 2
Candidate Forum 1
Candidate Forum 2

Candidate Statement

My name is King Grossman, and I am a candidate in the election for the Local Station Board because KPFT is a voice of diverse ideas and music that is sadly missing from other media sources.

The station is by far the best media out there because it is from and for it’s listeners. I want to help it stay that way and get better. I will do my best at getting unfiltered diverse viewpoints and music to the listeners. I will listen to the listeners so that I can build bridges of understanding and take action to make the KPFT family stronger.

A little about me…
I love my wife Lisa and my son King Jr. I am currently writing my first novel after having a career in the investment business. The story line of the novel is rock and roll legends meet Jerry McGuire. My favorite bumper sticker is “God Bless The Whole World…NO EXCEPTIONS.”
I would greatly appreciate your vote.

Candidate Questionnaire

1. Why do you want to be on the Local Station Board?
   I want to be on the Local Station Board because KPFT is the most diverse media source of viewpoints and music out there. I want to help it stay that way and get better.
   
2. How do you envision the Local Station Board working with the Pacifica Foundation, KPFT and the community?
   The Local Station Board should listen to KPFT listeners and do its best to coordinate resources from the Pacifica Foundation, KPFT staff, and the local community to meet the listeners' needs.
   
3. How could the station better serve it's listeners?
   KPFT could better serve its listeners by building bridges of understanding between the rich diversity of viewpoints and music being broadcast, and then translate that into action that meets the listeners' needs.
   
4. Describe some actions you would take to increase the influence of the station in underrepresented communities and to increase the diversity of the listening audience?
   The station could solicit input from focus groups that are underrepresented regarding what it would take to activate their communities' participation and listener-ship, and then we would need to act on the findings.
   
5. What sources of funding, other than listener donations, do you feel KPFT should solicit?
   I do not believe KPFT should solicit any donations other than listener donations.
   
6. Please state briefly the skills, experience, educational background, work history, organizational affiliations, areas of community service, areas of interest and expertise that you would bring to the Pacifica network as a member of the Local Station Board.
   In 1979 I worked as an intern on the Washington DC staff of then US Senator Lloyd Bentsen. From 1983 until I sold the company in 2000 I was the founder and president of an investment management company here in Houston. I have served on the board of MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts), and I also mentored to two of their students (however, I think I was mentored to by them in actuality). I am a Deaniac for Kerry/Edwards, and I am working as a volunteer for the Kerry/Edwards campaign. I am writing a novel and through that experience have developed a relationship with my literary manager and film producer to help him grow his entertainment business. It is a rich experience for me to develop creative works after having had a business career, and I am gratified to help my literary manager with my business expertise. I want to be of help to KPFT any way that I can.
   
7. Do you anticipate missing any Local Station Board meetings due to family or job related problems or inadequate transportation? I anticipate being an active participant in any Local Station Board meetings. While I can't say there won't be any meetings that I will miss due to job or family, there shouldn't be many.
   
8. On which Local Station Board committees are you interested in actively serving?
   I am interested in serving on the Ad Hoc World Affairs and News Committee, the Outreach Committee, and the Program Council or the Program Evaluation Committee.