MCPB Board of Directors 2026 Elections
Election Update
The board positions open in the 2026 elections represent Supervisorial Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5.
We received applications for the District 2, 3 and 5 positions. These candidates ran unopposed, making an MCPB board election in March unnecessary.
On May 26, two new board members and one returning board member will take their seats on the Mendocino County Public Broadcasting Board of Directors at the MCPB Annual Meeting on May 26. This will be an in-person membership meeting in a location to be announced. They are Eileen Russell (representing District 2), Marc Komer (representing District 3), and Kristin Wiederholt (incumbent, representing District 5). You can read their candidacy statements below. They will join the five members whose terms end in 2028.
These public-spirited community members are to be commended for stepping up at this exciting and critical time in the life of KZYX.
No one declared candidacy for the board seat representing District 4 (Fort Bragg and beyond). If you live in District 4 and are interested in being appointed to the board after the Annual Meeting, you can learn about the expectations and conditions of board service below and state your interest by writing to boardpresident@kzyx.org.
| Eileen Russell District 2 Board Position 
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Why are you interested in becoming a Board Member?
I think it's an exciting time for the radio station with the move to Ukiah, and I would like to be involved on a leadership level. I bring strong relationship skills, passion for local news, deep understanding of Mendocino County, and above all I love radio!
What can you contribute to the Board and to Mendocino County Public Broadcasting?
I bring strong leadership skills, a background in working at a radio station, and I have a can-do attitude that is always seeking the easiest solution to solving complex problems. I'm good at negotiating and bringing people together around shared values. I would like to be involved with communications, the station move, and using radio as a medium to tell the story of the station and community.
What are your relevant interests and experience?
I love local news, and all the stories of the diverse community of people who live in Mendocino County. I currently work as a Community Engagement Manager for Mendocino Redwood Company, which gives me great insight to our local business, forestry, and industry community. I worked at Sanctuary Forest and helped with donor administration.
What are your current and past affiliations with non-profit organizations, professional societies, etc.?
I'm a member at KZYX, KMUD, and KYBU and a member of AIR (Association of Independents in Radio). I serve as Chair of the Construction Management Advisory Committee at Santa Rosa Jr. College. I graduated Leadership Mendocino last year.
Please describe your previous non-profit board experience, if any.
I have not served on a board, though I have extensive experience covering board meetings regularly as a journalist.
What do you consider a board member’s fundraising responsibilities?
I believe board members are responsible for fundraising through membership drives and other campaigns like "Big Asks" and lead by setting an example of the grit it takes to be fundraising.
What is your fundraising experience?
I did administrative work at Sanctuary Forest which entailed a lot of donor management and communication and best practices for fundraising. I helped with a 25th anniversary event which was a big success. I have been fundraising for RV Skatepark project recently.
Please share any other experience, interests or information you consider relevant.
I love radio, music, interviewing, and storytelling and believe community radio is the best platform we have to allow people to learn about what's happening around them. I am really excited about the new radio station and would love to be involved with community engagement and getting more excitement and fundraising going for this important project. Our world is divisive but if done right we have the opportunity to bring people together.
| Kristin Wiederholt District 5 Board Position
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Why are you interested in becoming a Board Member?
I chose to become a Board Member to give back to the Mendocino County community, and support MCPB as the station begins a new chapter in Ukiah. I was drawn to this organization because of my history of working in public radio earlier in my career.
What can you contribute to the Board and to Mendocino County Public Broadcasting?
As someone who is relatively new to Mendocino County and KZYX, I think I bring fresh eyes and perspectives to an organization with a long history. I have experience working in public radio as a reporter and producer that helps me understand some of the complexities the station faces, especially when it comes to providing local news. My current job involves marketing and "telling stories." I can help KZYX communicate why it is such an invaluable community resource.
What are your relevant interests and experience?
My relevant experience includes working for KQED, jobs with several non-profits in a variety of roles, and serving on the board of Peninsula Food Runners. Some of my relevant interests include reporting, research, writing, democracy, community support, and making the world a more caring place and equitable place.
What are your current and past affiliations with non-profit organizations, professional societies, etc.?
I worked for two years for a non-profit called World Share in San Diego helping monitor and track development projects in Mexico, I was a freelancer and then employee at KQED in San Francisco for roughly ten years, and followed that with a period of freelance reporting for KALW and NPR.
Please describe your previous non-profit board experience, if any.
I served on Peninsula Food Runners Board for 5 years. Some of the projects I contributed to included devising new funding sources, revamping the website, making a video to highlight the organization's contributions and acting as a sounding board for the Executive Director.
What do you consider a board member’s fundraising responsibilities?
I believe a Board Member must understand that fundraising is integral to any non-profit and that there is an obligation to participate in whatever way one can. We all have different strengths to bring to the table, whether it is ties to the community of donors, ideas about how to raise funds, marketing or direct contributions.
What is your fundraising experience?
I assisted in some fundraising for Peninsula Food Runners and have helped host fundraisers for PACs. I have assisted in creating fundraising campaigns through writing, designing and thinking through goals.
Please share any other experience, interests or information you consider relevant.
I have served on the MCPB Board for roughly 8 months now and have immersed myself in all things KZYX. I got the station the Candid Platinum Seal, suggested and supported the 174 Campaign, have contributed to the newsletter and a variety of other tasks. I am dedicated to helping the station get settled in its new Ukiah home and helping ensure there is a plan for increased financial independence and security.
| Marc Komer District Board Position
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Why are you interested in becoming a Board Member?
I have three goals: (1) to secure KZYX&Z's financial foundation, (2) to complete the Ukiah studio, and (3) to strengthen the morale of station staff and programmers.
What can you contribute to the Board and to Mendocino County Public Broadcasting?
I have many years experience as a volunteer director on community boards. I have a background as a paralegal and small business owner. My skills are attention to detail, analytic thinking, asking questions, listening and creating action plans.
What are your relevant interests and experience?
I love public radio in general and KZYX in particular. I like working with others to improve our community, be it my road association, the libraries or our radio station. As a member of the Mendocino County Library Advisory Board for thirteen years, and chair for three years, I developed the political skills required to accomplish goals, such as encouraging board members to contribute and to using volunteer time effectively. As a KZYX board member, I will encourage others to speak and to listen.
What are your current and past affiliations with non-profit organizations, professional societies, etc.?
I was member of the California Association of Legal Document Assistants for fifteen years. I was a Notary Public from 2005-2021.
Please describe your previous non-profit board experience, if any.
I have been a member and chair of the Shafer Ranch Road Association board of directors since 2001, and a board member of the Ridgewood Fire Council, which is the process of becoming a non-profit. I have prepared several 501(c)(3) applications.
What do you consider a board member’s fundraising responsibilities?
Board fundraising responsibilities include preparing the capital campaign, working with other board members and partners, and actively performing assigned duties in pursuit of fundraising goals.
What is your fundraising experience?
As a member of the Mendocino County Library Advisory Board, I gave presentations and directly asked community organizations and individuals for money. We successfully passed Measure A that secured funding for our libraries.
Please share any other experience, interests or information you consider relevant.
I have been a member of the station since it went on the air in 1989. I am curious and articulate.