WILLMAR –– Willmar broadcaster Steve Linder was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame Saturday in Minneapolis.
Linder is president of Lakeland Broadcasting, which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary next month.
The family-owned business was started in 1940 by Linder’s grandfather, Harry Linder, and father, Bill Linder, when they launched KWLM AM.
After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1972, Linder returned to Willmar to help build KQIC FM. He became involved in all aspects of the business and purchased the company in 1990.
Linder has been active in the industry serving on the boards of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, National Association of Broadcasters and Pavek Museum of Broadcasting.
He has also been active in the community and currently serves on the board of the Willmar Area Community Foundation.
Fellow inductees are Al De Rusha of WTCN TV, meteorologist Paul Douglas, Doug Johnson of KKOJ in Jackson (formerly KWLM New Director), the late Oats Legrand of Fergus Falls, John O-Rourke of KAAL and KAUS of Austin, outdoor writer and TV host Ron Schara, food critic Sue Zelickson and Ray Lark of KDWB.
