Jean Gitz Bassett

Jean Gitz Bassett
Inducted: 1998

Jean Gitz Bassett was one of the first women broadcast station owners/managers in the nation when she became part of a partnership that purchased WLCX-AM, La Crosse, in 1957. In all, her broadcast career spanned over a 28 year period, beginning in 1955 at KRDO-AM, Colorado Springs and KOIA-AM, Des Moines. In addition to her ownership role, at WLCX-AM, from 1957 to 1983, she also served as the station’s program director for 20 years and then as its President and CEO from 1977 to 1983. Gitz Bassett was deeply involved in the La Crosse community, serving on a long and varied list of business, community development and church organizations. She served as a member of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Broad of Directors and was elected as our WBA Secretary from 1979-1983.