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KCBX Remembers Dr. Frank R. Martinez

Cuesta College

Dr. Frank R. Martinez died earlier this week. He was 98 years old.

He served as the second president of Cuesta College from 1977 to 1988. Earlier, he hired Cuesta’s very first faculty and staff during his term as vice president.

He was a vocal KCBX cheerleader who became a member of our Advisory Council, and later chair of the Council, a position he held for many years.

He was a supporter and informal advisor of KCBX well before my arrival in 1980, and I was lucky to have Frank Martinez in our corner when KCBX was a young nonprofit organization. Frank opened doors, introduced me to many in the community, and provided sage and valuable advice that helped build a strong foundation for KCBX’s growth and sustainability on the Central Coast.

He and his wife Lois attended many KCBX events, and they often brought their friends. KCBX board member and co-founder Steve Urbani said this: “As president of Cuesta College, Frank Martinez helped cement a long and close relationship between Cuesta College and KCBX. He was a good man who will be missed.”

-Frank Lanzone, KCBX President and General Manager

Frank Lanzone has been involved in public radio for all of his adult (and not so adult) life. Frank has been President & General Manager of Public Radio KCBX since 1980. Before that he was manager of Public Radio KCSM serving the San Francisco Bay Area. For several years he instructed TV and radio operation and production classes on the faculty of the Telecommunications Department at the College of San Mateo before moving to California's Central Coast.