Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez Names KXO Radio 2012 Small Business of the Year
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- Created on Friday, 08 June 2012 18:13
- Written by Imperial Valley News
Sacramento, California - KXO Radio in El Centro has been selected by Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella) as the 80th Assembly District’s “2012 Small Business of the Year.” Owners and long-time Imperial Valley residents Gene Brister and Carroll Buckley will travel to Sacramento this Monday, June 11, to receive the honor.
“KXO Radio has been an important part of the lives of Imperial County residents,” said Pérez. “The names Gene Brister and Carroll Buckley are synonymous with this community radio station that is known for its locally relevant programming and support of local events.”
Starting out as employees at the station, Gene Brister and Carroll Buckley took over complete ownership and operations of KXO in 1986. The Brister-Buckley team has maintained KXO’s commitment to the Valley through its community-minded programs and informative news web site. KXO is also the co-founder and now the producer of the Imperial Valley’s largest single day event, Freedom Fest, now in its 22nd year.
Both Brister and Buckley believe that a radio station should be local and mirror the community that it serves. They believe in “service that isn't done for awards and recognition but done because it's the right thing.” The KXO owners are also very civic minded. Brister has served on the El Centro City Council, including a term as Mayor. Buckley has served on the El Centro Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees for over 13 years.
KXO Radio went on the air in January 1927. For all of its 85 years of broadcasting, KXO has made it a point to reflect and serve the Imperial Valley. With the exception of two years in the early 1950s, KXO has always been locally owned and operated. Its FM station, 107.5 FM, was launched on July 4, 1976.
The 2012 Small Business Day’s Salute to Small Business is sponsored by the California Small Business Association. It is an opportunity for the Legislature to honor the contributions of small business to the economic growth in the state of California. The awards event, held at the Sacramento Convention Center, includes a morning of workshops, a luncheon awards presentation with the Assemblymember, and a networking session.