(HONOLULU) Hawai‘i Public Radio president and general manager José A. Fajardo has been honored with a national award for leadership within the industry.
Fajardo received the Public Radio Regional Organizations Award yesterday in Denver during a public media conference. Established in 1987, the PRRO Award honors leaders and unsung heroes who have:
- made significant, enduring contributions in advancing the growth of public media
- furthered the interests of regional organizations and stations
- exemplifies qualities of leadership, commitment, and service to public media
“The list of names [who have received this award] are iconic in public radio,” Fajardo said in an interview last week on the station’s talk program, The Conversation. “I’m honored that my contribution to public radio is being recognized, and that HPR will be recognized at the same time for the work that we’re doing.”
HPR’s Board of Directors appointed Fajardo as the president and general manager of the statewide nonprofit public radio organization in 2016. He succeeded Michael Titterton, HPR’s longest-serving president and general manager of 17 years.
Fajardo has been vocal about his battle with ALS since he was diagnosed with the fatal neurodegenerative disease last year. Last week, he shared an update on his condition during The Conversation.
“I’m now more dependent on my wife Jennifer, who’s been my angel during all of this,” Fajardo said. “I still love what I do, and as long as I’m able to still function, I’m still going to come to work and do what I love to do, which is to lead this great staff of Hawai‘i Public Radio.”
Prior to HPR, Fajardo was Executive Vice President for the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. He previously served as President & CEO for WMFE-TV/FM, the member-supported public broadcasting stations for Central Florida. Fajardo’s broadcast career started in Central Texas, where he worked for three years in commercial radio before joining KNCT-TV/FM, the public broadcasting stations located in Killeen, Texas, concluding as its general manager.
Fajardo has been an active board member on several local, state, and national boards. He served as a director on the National Public Radio (NPR) Board of Directors twice, and also served on the board of the Association of Public Television Stations.
Fajardo is a native of Puerto Rico. He holds an MBA from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College.
