RICK BLANGIARDI

What this episode covers

Sometimes people stop following their dreams to meet the practical demands of reality. And this is what senior VP and GM of KGMB TV, Rick Blangiardi did when he shifted his career from football coach to corporate executive to support the needs of his family. Blangiardi might have lost a dream-turned-reality, but this did not stop him from being a facilitator of motivation and inspiration. Being positioned high up in the corporate ladder, Blangiardi believes in creating a challenging environment where employees can enhance their skills through the guidance of a mentor—the same principle he used as an assistant football coach. Football played a huge role in Rick Blangiardi’s life. He was a player and eventually became assistant football coach and defensive facilitator for the University of Hawaii. Because of this attachment, the transition from coaching to communications practitioner was hard for Rick Blangiardi but his focus and determination to succeed eventually bore its fruits. In this Greater Good Radio interview, Evan and Kari speaks with Rick Blangiardi about his career in football and what brought him to change his path to becoming a corporate executive. Blangiardi also talks about how he applies coaching and mentorship to motivate and inspire his employees. Adding to this is how he draws parallels between his career in sports and television. Listen to the aftershow and find out how he handles the upbringing of his children and why gathering their respect has become his biggest life accomplishment. BIO: RICK BLANGIARDI January 2006 – Present Senior Vice President & General Manager KGMB9 Honolulu, Hawaii November 2005 – January 2006 Senior Vice President & General Manager KHON2 Honolulu, Hawaii July 2002 – November 2005 Senior Vice President & General Manager KHON2 and KGMB9 Honolulu, Hawaii November 1999 – July 2002 President Telemundo Group Los Angeles, California 1997-1999 Chief Executive Officer Premier Horse Network Los Angeles, California 1994-1996 Group President River City Broadcasting St. Louis, Missouri 1993-1994 Vice President & General Manager KPIX 5 Television San Francisco, California 1992-1993 Vice President, New Business Development CBS Television Network New York, New York 1989-1992 Vice President & General Manager King 5 Television Seattle, Washington 1984-1989 Vice President & General Manager KHNL 13 Television Honolulu, Hawaii 1977-1984 General Sales Manager (1982-1984) Local Sales Manager (1975-1977) Account Executive (1977-1979) KGMB Television Honolulu, Hawaii 1975-1977 Associate Head Football Coach & Defensive Coordinator University of Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaii 1972-1975 Assistant Football Coach University of Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaii Education Masters in Education, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 1973 Bachelor of Science, Springfield College, Springfield, MA 1969 Military United States Naval Reserve, Honorable Discharge, 1970 Boards Central Pacific Bank Hawaii Food Bank Aloha Council Boy Scouts Ahahui Koa Anuenue Chamber of Commerce Aloha United Way Honolulu Boy Choir Links: KGMB9 TV Listen on Youtube: