Michigan broadcasting pioneer and one-time acting FCC Chair James H. Quello dies at age 95

Broadcasting pioneer, former FCC Chair Quello dies

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former acting FCC chair and Michigan broadcasting pioneer James H. Quello has died at his Alexandria, Va., home after suffering heart and kidney failure.

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters, which Quello once led as its president, says he died Sunday at age 95.

Quello was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission in 1974 and served until his 1997 retirement. He was the agency’s acting chairman in 1993.

His radio broadcasting career began in the promotions department of WXYZ-AM in Detroit after World War II service in Europe. Quello was vice president and general manager of WJR-AM beginning in 1960.

Quello was one of the original Michigan Association of Broadcasters members, serving as president in 1959.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.