Vote for these Staff Candidates – 2021

We endorse the following Staff Representative candidates for the 2021 KPFT Delegate/Local Station Board (LSB) elections. We’re asking all staff members to please rank ALL SIX of them, as your #1 to #6 choices, in any order you wish.

Listener members may vote for only Listener candidates. Staff members may vote for only staff candidates. Only staff candidates are on this page.

It is very important to rank each of the six candidates, 1-6, in the order that you choose, not just your top one or two or three choices.

We believe all these fine staff members will be good members of KPFT’s Local Station Board and help us to Move KPFT Forward!

Click on the name of any of these candidates to go directly to details about them.

David Britton

I’ve been a volunteer at KPFT for ten years, helping Larry Winters with the Spare Change Show on Saturday afternoons. The people I’ve met and the skills I’ve learned at the station have enriched my life. I want KPFT to continue to provide a similar opportunity to others in the Houston area. I understand the importance of both commitment and compromise There is a time for discussion and a time for action. I’m an empathetic person who can promote consensus, a skill critical for KPFT to survive in the future.

Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

  1. What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station’s mission?
    I have volunteer experience, both at KPFT and years ago with Amigos de Las Americas, as well as 30 years experience in the engineering field. This combination of backgrounds has shown me the importance of commitment and compromise in getting things done.
  2. What do you appreciate and value in the station’s current operations?
    The general manager has a thankless job and the LSB needs to be more productive and supportive in fund raising to keep the station running.
  3. What would you like to see improved or changed in the station’s current operations?
    I want new members to allow the LSB to be a productive body, supporting the station’s mission. Too much infighting now has left KPFT paralyzed.
  4. Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.
    • Fund raising
    • Securing a new home for the station
    • Being a resource to help management succeed in a cost-effective manner.
  5. Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station’s financial footing?
    Focus on fund raising by identifying resources (grants,etc.) Study what other stations with similar missions/goals have done
  6. Is there anything else you would like prospective voters to know?
    I’m hopeful for the future. Live community radio remains as relevant and critical as ever.

Lilian Care

I believe in the Pacifica mission of a peaceful and just world where all voices are heard. I want to do my part in bringing the voices and vision of Pacifica to the Houston community.

Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

  1. What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station’s mission?
    I bring passion for the vision of Pacifica and have been volunteering with KPFT for over 20 years. I have volunteered with many non-profits in the Houston area and have brought community groups onto our show to highlight their work.
  2. What do you appreciate and value in the station’s current operations?
    The diversity of voices and programming. I like both the music and current affairs programming. I think we provide a valuable community service with the Whole Mother, Immigration and Your Sex/Your Health shows which provide so much information for free to many underserved communities. Plus, we are the only FM station in Houston that has a show dedicated to the LGBT community.
  3. What would you like to see improved or changed in the station’s current operations?
    We need more diversity in programming and on-air hosts and voices. We need more women’s voices on the air of any ethnicity. Women represent 50% of our city, but this 50% is not represented in on air voices.
  4. Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.
    To bring greater visibility of KPFT to the Houston community; to increase listenership; to make programming that is exciting and relevant to Houston
  5. Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station’s financial footing?
    Increase listenership by increasing awareness of KPFT
  6. Is there anything else you would like prospective voters to know?
    I am committed to the Pacifica vision and values.

Dalton Harris

I have been a volunteer with KPFT for 4+ years co-heading The Bluegrass Depot program on Sunday evenings. I have met a lot of great folks through KPFT and think the LSB would benefit from a new face that brings no-nonsense middle of the road compromise to the table.

Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

  1. What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station’s mission?
    I bring a middle of the road approach with a focus on compromise and efficiency. I have 10+ year of professional experience negotiating legal issues with 2 years experience in bankruptcy negotiation experience and feel that these skills will prove a useful tool as the board works through the near term issues facing the board.
  2. What do you appreciate and value in the station’s current operations?
    I appreciate the inclusive culture and spectrum of programming.
  3. What would you like to see improved or changed in the station’s current operations?
    My primary focus will be to leverage my background to provide fresh insight into KPFT and Pacifica’s financial situation and promote a solution through conservative financial management, negotiation with stakeholders and compromise.
  4. Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.
    • Improve the current financial situation.
    • Improve fund raising and explore creative solutions to increase long term financial viability.
    • Focus on KPFT’s core strengths, it’s one-of-a-kind programming.
  5. Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station’s financial footing?
    Easy…Rid the station and Pacifica organization of its debt as soon as possible!

Jerry Fowler

I discovered KPFT in the days of Country Cookin’ and Musical Trot with Liselotte and volunteered as a groundskeeper for several years. During that time, a board member said, “If you don’t find a show that offends you, we aren’t doing our job.” My KPFT monetary contributions go to Execution Watch. The fact that KPFT must continue to air Execution Watch because the State of Texas continues to sanction the death of human beings offends me deeply, so to me, that is more offensive even than a right-wing talk-show host. I contribute because I want it heard until that coming hallowed day when it is taken off the air because capital punishment is a thing of the past. KPFT is the only radio voice seeking to make that happen, and we must protect that voice, the only voice for Peace in Houston.

As to the other shows I support with my ears, I have respect and appreciation for every programmer out there, but I’ll call out People of Earth, the Prison Show, On Call With Dr. Samotas, Politics Done Right, Open Journal, Arab Voices, and Connect the Dots, which are foremost among the many KPFT shows that don’t let me out of the car once it’s parked. I think that if you listen to the Church of the Infinite on Wednesday nights or in the archive, you’ll know that I’m happy with hearing music on KPFT as well.

The LSB should be developing a strategy for making KPFT a go-to to hear those and all our other important messages, involving a broader Internet presence. That can’t be done without improved outreach and fundraising. I am a software engineer who understands the web from browser to server. I have served as a board member of other organizations; I consider my chief contribution to those organizations to be maintaining focus on the pragmatic concerns that stand between a committee and its accomplishments.

Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

  1. What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station’s mission?
    I’m a software engineer with “full-stack” experience and knowledge of the Internet and Web. I can help focus a meeting. I am a pacifist who understands the important role that embrace of diversity has in helping the world to live in peace.
  2. What do you appreciate and value in the station’s current operations?
    The efforts made by our current staff to keep the station alive in trying circumstances.
  3. What would you like to see improved or changed in the station’s current operations?
    Beyond a robust programming environment that would allow Larry Winters once again to produce a show, I cannot speak until I have had the opportunity to understand our current operations.
  4. Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.
    Expand our web presence, integrate it more effectively with our broadcast media, and expand membership outreach.
  5. Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station’s financial footing?
    Identify the modes of charity in millennials and GenZ and learn to capitalize on them.
  6. Is there anything else you would like prospective voters to know?
    On the day that George W. Bush sent human beings to kill other human beings in Iraq, Hitaji’s voice on KPFT kept me sane.

Tom Harper

I love KPFT it’s like a second home to me working as a volunteer it gives me a sense that I am reaching out to our community. I feel also I am the Voice for the Voiceless some people are in fear of speaking their mind .I don’t have that fear and for standing up for what is right and knowing the difference between right and wrong. People are what they are we grew up enjoying Music and you learn from what we hear on the radio . Like The old days what if we didn’t have TV how would we communicate with the rest of the world so lets look at the prospect of the future .Lets keep Radio alive and I want to help with that and encourage our younger generation to learn to appreciate the history of Radio Broadcast . I learned when I was younger about radio and communication it’s in my blood also what I learned in the Military and in High School it is not who you know .It’s what you know ! And knowledge is power and also Team work as well. I thank you for your support.. I also am a US. Army Veteran. and proud to have served..

Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

  1. What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station’s mission?
    I have learned Audio and Video Broadcast from Elwyn Institute Elwyn Pennsylvania. With this knowledge I can help improve our station programing serve on committees and use my education in keeping our station going, And alive and well . I was a 36k20 Tactical Communication I also served during Vietnam Cold War ERA ..I also Produce The Veterans of War show and I am a Staff member of The Prison Show .I serve on Two Committees as well .And bring results .
  2. What do you appreciate and value in the station’s current operations?
    I appreciate the hard working Volunteers that produce there faith in our Radio station . And our listeners who are faithful to KPFT. And I also appreciate my staff on The Veterans of War show Mike Lewis.; Kamron Baron; Bob Gephard and others who have volunteered there Time to make the show work ..Also The Prison show staff who bring there show closer to there loved ones in Prison.
  3. What would you like to see improved or changed in the station’s current operations?
    Better Programs more upbeat Music News what is going on in our community Houston Harris County instead of violence and hate why don’t we consider making our community famous by getting out amongst the people and recognize there efforts .
  4. Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.
    Bringing in new members./ Donations / and most of all bringing our Radio Station closer to our Listeners.
  5. Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station’s financial footing?
    By coming up with ideas and follow through with them to bring in Money for our station .And rebuilding our station KPFT .
  6. Is there anything else you would like prospective voters to know?
    Yes I may be 65 years old but one thing I have is faith in our Listeners and trust that one day they might realize that someone really cares about KPFT self preservation isn’t going to cut it . It’s not just about me it is about the Listener.

Egberto Willies

KPFT 90.1 FM Houston is a gem. It is a small station with more character than any large station in the country. My aim is to help bring unity by assisting in rechanneling our energies to the mission of serving our local community and by inference our at large community.

Answers to Candidate Questionnaire

  1. What experience, connections, skills or traits would you bring to the local station board to advance the station’s mission?
    I have been a member of many non-profit activist boards, including Houston Peace and Justice Center, Coffee Party USA, Move to Amend, and several others.
  2. What do you appreciate and value in the station’s current operations?
    I appreciate the freedom to tell the message over the airwaves as long as we abide by FCC rules.
  3. What would you like to see improved or changed in the station’s current operations?
    To improve the station’s operation, one has first to improve people’s attitude and empowerment. This requires a lot more selflessness and giving people the benefit of the doubt.
  4. Describe what you anticipate would be your top three priorities or areas of focus if you were elected to the local station board.
    • Try to let everyone realize that while we differ in opinions, everyone wants the station to be successful for the causes of everyone.
    • Help move us to be more than a radio station but a media station where all forms are integrated.
    • Educate, Educate, Educate as we bring everyone along.
  5. Sustainability is an important part of any nonprofit operation. What are your thoughts on how the board can help to improve the station’s financial footing?
    KPFT is a great station that few know about. I am generally a walking billboard for KPFT in all the activists I participate in across the country. I would encourage others and give people ideas on doing the same.
  6. Is there anything else you would like prospective voters to know?
    We can be successful if we put the station above personality and ego.