‘The Beat’ vice president to step down

One of the few high-ranking women in local radio, Nancy Leichter, said she’s leaving KKBT-FM (100.3) after nine years, during which she brought on comedian Steve Harvey to host the area’s top-rated English-language morning show.

“My husband and I bought a house on the Central Coast, and we’re going to make a lifestyle change,” Leichter, vice president and general manager of “The Beat,” said Thursday.

“I may stay in radio; I may do something entirely different. We’re going to take it easy and enjoy ourselves.

“I adore the Beat, and Radio One [the station’s parent company] has been an amazing company to work for,” she said. “I’ve done everything I wanted to in my career. We wanted to see what else was out there.”

She said Radio One head Alfred C. Liggins III asked her to stay on until the company finds a replacement, which she said could be three months, or “it could be tomorrow.”

“I believe in this station, and I just love it,” she said. “On the other hand, I’m looking forward to my new life.”

-- Steve Carney