Alver G. Leighton

2001 Charter Inductee

Al Leighton has enjoyed a distinguished broadcasting career of nearly five decades, and is one of the key figures in central Minnesota broadcasting. He served in the US Army in World War II, and entered broadcasting in 1951, when he joined KLIZ Brainerd as a news and sports reporter, later going into sales and learning all aspects of the radio business. In 1958 he became general manager of KDLM Detroit Lakes, eventually becoming its sole owner.

After 18 years in Detroit Lakes, he moved his corporate headquarters to Saint Cloud, and moved to his present downtown location in 1982. The Leighton Enterprises family includes Detroit Lakes stations KDLM AM and KBOT FM, Saint Cloud stations KCLD FM, KNSI AM, KZPK FM, and KCML FM, as well as KYCK FM, KNOX AM, and KNOX FM, Grand Forks, North Dakota.

He is a past president of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association and has been active in many community organizations over the years.

Al Leighton passed away June 28, 2012.