As many of you have heard, Mariam Stepanian, president and general manager of Valley Public Radio died Thursday Jan. 18 in Fresno, following complications from an illness. Those who attended the June 2017 SBE meeting got a chance to meet Mariam before the tour of KVPR FM 89 (see photos).

Stepanian began her tenure at the station in 1980, first serving as development director. She soon became general manager and helped guide the organization into a period of financial stability, growth and community service. Under Stepanian’s leadership, Valley Public Radio became one the region’s leading providers of news and cultural arts media.  more…