Saturday, February 10, 2024. Alaska talk airways lost a very good listener and someone who brought up issues on two radio stations starting in 2011. He actually started in the evening drive on KOAN 1080 a show called Ethically Speaking. Then he switched to morning drive in 2013 under CBI Media on KVNT 1020am which he called the Tom Anderson Show until his recent death on Saturday. He also had two other radio shows also on KVNT one was called Tom's World of Science and the other was called Tom's World of Travel. I did not listen to either of those one hour shows in the evening during the weekday.
He would use local sources like Alaska's News Source, Alaska Public Media, Anchorage Daily News, New York Times and was a fan of this online publication. He liked my Independent analysis on Alaska issues. He always treated callers with respect even if he disagreed with them politically. He interviewed candidates for political office with respect. I always like his thoughts on issues. He also respected his stations competition and even mentioned their names even if not on their station. He also the only radio host who would listen to a flooring store owner named Dalton also known as Super D.
He did inspire Amy Demboski who he mentored to the evening drive to do talk radio on KVNT from 2016-2018 which while she served on the tail end of her Assembly term. She is currently doing the morning drive on KENI 650 since the beginning of 2023.
He is currently in Alaska talkers heaven with Dick Lobdel, Jr and Herb Shandlin.
Now let's start from the beginning Tom T Anderson was born on August 4, 1967 as a son of Tom R Anderson who was Corporal of the Alaska State Troopers and Catherine. He graduated from Bartlett High School in Anchorage in 1985. He received a bachelors associate degree in political science and a masters in public administration from the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. He also obtained a degree in a college in Minnesota.
His political experience started as a legislative aide for Alaska State Representative Terry Martin while attending college at UAA. He also served two municipal board commissions which were the Anchorage Parking Authority, Anchorage Power and Light Commission and the Anchorage Board of Appeals and Examiner. He helped Municipality of Anchorage George Wuerch on his transition team in 2000. The municipality's only one term mayor to date.
The Anchorage School Board chose him to replace a resigned board member in 2000 who was not retained by voters in Anchorage Municipal election in April 2001.
When I actually met in person was after I voted at the St Patrick's Catholic Church where he was waiving a sign on the corner of 20th and Muldoon in 2002 General Election. I mentioned to him you realized you on your opponent turfs right. I actually voted against him twice which living in his district which was Alaska District 19 which he served his constitutes well.
He served three years in a federal prison work camp in Oregon from 2007-2011 on federal corruption charges.
He was managing partner of Optima Public Relations firm which did political consulting to help candidates to elected to political office.
He actually married three times to three different women they were Janet Hallberg a brief marriage. Then he married Lesil McGuire in 2005 while they served together in the legislature which lasted five years they are still friends and he had a child Grayson together with her. He was current married to Lailaine.
He liked to travel and liked Science. His favorite NFL team was the Minnesota Vikings this is probably due to time during his college days.
He was well liked by close friends and easy to get along with. He also had lots of energy always according to close friends of his. Please continue to pray for Tom Anderson, his family and the people at Optima Public Relations. Alaska lots a great man and loved his home state of Alaska. Governor Dunleavy will eventually sign a statement honoring his service to Alaska. I hope the Anchorage Assembly will do the same.
I thank Tom Steigleman the CEO of CBI Media and show producer for continue to hold the fort. I am sure the lord will help him guide the future of KVNT and the other CBI stations under his watch.
Rest in Peace my friend. I thank Amy Demboski and Mike Pocaro for saying good words about him during their February 12th broadcast.
