Helen Barrington announced on LinkedIn that she was appointed GM of KAZU in Pacific Grove, Calif.
Barrington most recently worked as deputy managing editor for news at CapRadio in Sacramento, Calif. She was also an editor for VPM in Richmond, Va.; executive director of programming and content for New England Public Media; and a producer for Public Radio International.
Barrington succeeds Mik Benedek, who retired from the station. Benedek joined KAZU in 2005 as director of underwriting and became GM in 2011. Before KAZU, he worked for commercial radio stations.
In an automated email reply, Benedek asked the station’s supporters to “please welcome” Barrington and to “please give her all the help and support that you have given me.”
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that Barrington joined KAZU in 2005. It was Benedek who started working at the station that year.
This is cool. Congrats to both Mik and Helen! I know the market well. My first GM gig long ago was at commercial KDON FM/AM in Salinas/Monterey/Santa Cruz. It’s eclectic, very diverse, includes Pebble Beach, Castroville (Artichoke Festival), Capitola, beaches, wineries, Salinas (lettuce capital of the world), ranches, Clint Eastwood’s former bar Carmel Mission Ranch the Santa Cruz Mountains. It really is a one-of-a-kind market and region, which continues to appreciate a great public radio station! (and have the world’s best sand dabs at Moss Landing).