In the studio where he’s worked for the past 37 years, KFDM anchor and general manager Larry Beaulieu announced to staff this week that he will retire at the end of September.
“I’ve been privileged and blessed to be part of a great family for 37 years,” Beaulieu told viewers of the Beaumont-Port Arthur CBS-affiliate, publicly announcing his retirement.
Beaulieu has worked the KFDM anchor desk since 1974 and for much of his time with the station he has served in a unique dual role–appearing on-air as well as overseeing station operations as vice president and general manager.
“This dual role has helped me stay intimately connected to how we gather and report it and to how it impacts the community we serve,” Beaulieu said. “The news is such an important part of what we do.”
Beaulieu worked as a photographer, anchor, and producer for KFDA in Amarillo before joining KFDM in ’74. He became the station’s GM in 1983.
“As a mentor to young people coming up, as an executive and leader and as a newsman, he has been one-of-a-kind,” said Tom Herwitz, president of Freedom Broadcasting, the station’s corporate owner. “We’ll all miss him, and we wish him nothing but the best in his retirement.”
Here’s Beaulieu’s on-air announcement…