‘Unparalled leader’ of Valley Public Radio dies following illness

Valley Public Radio’s president and general manager, Mariam Stepanian, died Thursday in Fresno following complications from an illness, surrounded by family and friends.

David Parker, the board chair for White Ash Broadcasting, called Stepanian an “unparalleled leader.”

“Her friendship, commitment and strength will be missed, but her legacy will carry on through those she has inspired to continue leading the station,” Parker said in a statement. “Our sincere condolences go out to her family including her husband John M. Thoens, her stepson Jonathan Thoens, daughter-in-law Miri Thoens and her entire Valley Public Radio family.”

Stepanian, 65, began at the station as a development director in 1980. She soon became manager and helped guide the organization into a period of financial stability, growth and community service, according to the statement. Her leadership propelled the station as a leading provider of news and cultural arts media. The station’s audience grew to eventually encompass two stations, serving Fresno and Bakersfield, with National Public Radio and classical music programming.

In the early part of this decade, the station added local news reporting and new digital platforms.

Most recently, Stepanian led the fundraising effort for the construction of a new state-of-the-art broadcast center in Clovis. The 10,000-square-foot facility opened in 2016.

Before working at Valley Public Radio, Stepanian worked for the YMCA and helped launch the Marjaree Mason Center.

Details about a memorial service will be announced at a later date.

This story was originally published January 19, 2018 at 4:20 PM with the headline "‘Unparalled leader’ of Valley Public Radio dies following illness."