José Fajardo, a former public media executive who most recently led Hawai‘i Public Radio, died Thursday of complications from ALS, HPR reported.
“José was an inspirational force in so many ways, from how he strengthened the work and impact of Hawai‘i Public Radio, to how he shared with courage and openness his ALS diagnosis,” HPR CEO Meredith Artley said in the HPR article.
Fajardo was diagnosed with ALS at 56 and openly shared how he was affected by the progressive disease. He discussed his journey on an HPR talk show in 2021 and gave regular updates on a blog, Team José.
“A lot of folks with ALS become invisible to the community because they’re not mobile, they become isolated from family and friends,” he said in a Current profile in 2022. “It’s a very silent disease that people deal with, and I’ve opted not to do that.”
Fajardo worked for more than 35 years in public media, first at KNCT-FM in Killeen, Texas, where he started as an announcer and eventually became GM. He also worked for 16 years as president & CEO of WMFE in Orlando, Fla., and led the joint licensee through the sale of its public TV station. He joined HPR as president and GM in 2016. He also served two stints on NPR’s board of directors. In 2022, he received Public Radio Regional Organizations’ PRRO Award.
During his tenure as CEO of WMFE, Fajardo served on the board of America’s Public Television Stations. “José was an inspirational leader, dedicated and passionate about serving his local communities,” said Kate Riley, APTS president, in a statement. “We are immensely grateful for his longstanding commitment to our public media system, and his legacy of service will live forever.”
In a statement, CPB CEO Patricia Harrison called Fajardo “an inspiration in Hawai’i and across public media.” He “remained optimistic, used his position to advocate for those living with ALS, and continued to work as long as he could,” she said.
“Jose’s leadership and dedication to public broadcasting helped shape Hawai’i Public Radio into the esteemed institution it is today, and his grace and courage after receiving a devastating ALS diagnosis remain an inspiration to us all,” she said.
Fajardo stepped down from HPR earlier this year. “I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed a four-decade career in radio, my dream job since I was 8 years old,” Fajardo said in a press release at the time.
“José’s passion for public radio; his deep experience and expertise; his strategic mind; his dedication to the development of the HPR staff and an environment of caring, teamwork and commitment to community, have elevated the caliber of HPR’s services,” said HPR Board Chair Kathryn Matayoshi in a news release when he departed. “He has shaped HPR into the ‘go-to’ place for trusted news; expanded coverage of local news, stories and culture; and music that soothes and intrigues. José has put his heart and soul into HPR. His many contributions as a wonderful leader and human being are and will be enjoyed by HPR listeners today—and into the future.”
According to the release, he left the station debt-free and with $4 million in reserves and a $7 million endowment fund.
“José was deeply admired and appreciated by all who were fortunate to know him or work with him,” HPR said in a LinkedIn post. “We are saddened by this loss and grateful for his inspiring life and legacy.”
This article has been updated to include CPB CEO Pat Harrison’s statement and the date of Fajardo’s death.