Years after promising to one day be the President of Golden West, a man from southern Manitoba has now taken on that role.

On Wednesday, Lyndon Friesen of Steinbach announced his retirement from his position as President but will be staying on as Advisor to his son Carter Friesen, who will become the next President and Chief Operating Officer of Golden West.

Lyndon began his career with the company 45 years ago, when it had only three radio stations. He started in sales but quickly became station manager in Steinbach. Lyndon then moved on to manage new Golden West stations in Ajax and Hamilton, Ontario, made a brief stop in Alberta and then settled back in Manitoba where he became the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer before being named President in 2008. He has seen Golden West grow to over 70 media brands in 28 communities covering rural markets from Northwestern Ontario to Alberta.

"It was a fun time to watch how a small radio station could impact a community and provide the link and the communication and the connection in a community," says Lyndon, referring to those early years.

Lyndon's contributions to the broadcasting industry have been felt across the country. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards including the President's Award from the Western Association of Broadcasters as well as induction into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009.

But now it is time to pass on that torch, and to none other than his oldest son.

"Carter started in the radio business when he didn't even know he was in it," jokes Lyndon. "Of course we'd be driving in the car and he was already learning everything we do."

The love for radio was in the blood, as Carter clearly remembers when his grade five teacher, Mr. Ken Friesen at Woodlawn School in Steinbach, asked each student to write down what they wanted to be when they grew up.

"I very clearly said this is what I wanted to do one day, take on a role just like this," says Carter, referring to the role of President of Golden West. "I'm so excited now to be able to continue on the legacy that Lyndon has left and continue to serve our communities even better and with it grow even more local businesses."

Carter says he was fortunate while growing up to be able to see firsthand how Golden West served its communities.

"(I) loved watching how Lyndon did that and led this group to do it," he says.

For Lyndon, he says it has been extremely satisfying to see both of his sons take on such an interest in the company. His son Jackson heads up the creative side of Golden West.

"It's pretty rewarding as a father," he says.

So, what is next for Golden West, the parent company of CHVN 95.1 FM? Carter says the plan is to build on the amazing base that his father helped establish and to find new ways to serve their audiences and local businesses.

And, what is next for Lyndon Friesen? Lyndon says he will continue to work with Golden West but also plans to do more travelling with his wife Bonnie and keep fixing up old cars. He also relishes his newest title, 'Grandfather.'

"For 45 years all I've done is had a lot of fun, and so I'm just going to change the focus to have fun in other ways," he says.