KQED CEO John Boland of Sebastopol retiring in September 2019

KQED CEO John Boland, a Sebastopol resident, announced on Wednesday he would retire from the Bay Area’s leading public broadcaster in September 2019.

Boland, 69, will be replaced by Michael Isip, KQED’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

He joined KQED in 2010 and spearheaded an increase of its staff by 40 percent for its television, radio and digital platforms.

The investments in its editorial department included making it the largest science unit on the West Coast for any public media organization and expanding its arts-and-culture reporting team. During Boland’s tenure, the station also developed digital media tools and media literacy products to help students.

Boland also has ties to local media, and had previously been co-owner and publisher of the Sonoma County Independent, now known as the North Bay Bohemian. He is a member of the board of advisors for Sonoma State University’s Green ?Music Center.

“John’s legacy will be felt everywhere here at KQED,” Chuck Kissner, chairman of KQED’s board, said in a prepared statement.

“John has helped make KQED an essential service in the lives of most people here in the Bay Area. We’re grateful for John’s superb leadership and vision, and are pleased he will be helping to guide KQED during the leadership transition.”

You can reach Staff Writer Bill Swindell at 707-521-5223 or bill.swindell@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @BillSwindell.