Walter F. Ulloa, the chairman and chief executive of Spanish-language broadcaster Entravision Communications, died over the New Year’s holiday weekend from a sudden heart attack, the company announced on Tuesday.
Ulloa was 74 at this time of his passing, a spokesperson said in a statement. He worked in the television and radio broadcasting industry for more than five decades, starting his career at KMEX-TV (Channel 34) in Los Angeles before eventually co-founding Entravision in the 1990s.
Under his watch, Entravision became the largest independent broadcaster of Univision-affiliated stations in the country (KMEX, where Ulloa got his start, is the flagship west coast station of the Univision network).
The board of directors at Entravision called Ulloa a visionary who helped transform the company into a global media powerhouse with a presence in over 40 countries.
“Well-known and respected throughout the media industry, Walter’s passion, energy, and devotion to our company will be greatly missed,” a spokesperson for the Entravision board said on Tuesday. “We have lost a leader and a friend.”
Curtis LeGeyt, the president of the National Association of Broadcasters trade group, called Ulloa an “outstanding ambassador for Spanish-language television and radio through his decades of leadership at Entravision.”
“He gave back to his community through service on multiple boards and organizations, including the NAB Leadership Foundation Board of Directors,” LeGeyt said. “Our hearts are with Walter’s family and our friends at Entravision during this difficult time.”
On Tuesday, the Entravision board said Chris Young had been appointed interim chief executive following Ulloa’s death. Young previously served as the company’s chief financial officer and treasurer. A search for a full-time CEO is ongoing, according to a company spokesperson.
