Features

After an exhaustive six-month search, KPFA has a new General Manager. 

On Monday, KPFA’s parent company, Pacifica Radio, announced that they hired Roy Campanella, II. Campanella, who has a 20-year background in film and TV production, will take over from Jim Bennett, the station’s interim manager, starting Monday. 

Campanella was one of 150 candidates who applied for the position. After being chosen as one of three finalists by the Local Station Board hiring committee, Campanella’s application was reviewed by the entire station board. 

Both he and one other finalist were then presented to Dan Coughlin, the executive director of Pacifica, who made the final decision. 

“We collectively came to the conclusion that he had good leadership qualities because of his past involvement in large projects,” said Sarv Randhawa, one of the station board members.  

Campanella, who has an MBA from Columbia University, has produced and directed TV movies, primetime TV shows, and independent documentaries, including the award-winning Brother Future. 

He is the son of the late hall of fame baseball player, Roy Campanella, who along with teammate Jackie Robinson, was one of the first people to integrate the major leagues. 

The hiring process was temporarily delayed earlier this year because the chair of the station board hiring committee was asked to step down for breaching a confidentiality agreement. Two other members of the hiring committee also resigned in protest. 

Bennett had served since February when Gus Newport, former Berkeley mayor, stepped down from the general manager position after running the station for just eight months.