Eugene C. “Gene” D’Angelo Jr. is a graduate of Linden-McKinley High School. He has had a tremendous impact on the Columbus music community. An accomplished musician on the tuba, string bass, and trombone, Gene was picked up by the Tony Pastor Orchestra while still in high school. After graduating, he attended Ohio State University where he performed in the concert and marching bands and helped found the OSU Jazz Forum. Gene toured with the likes of Louis Prima and Claude Thornhill, as well as the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus Band. He also wrote the Linden McKinley High School alma mater.
Gene has served as Chairman of both the Columbus Association of the Performing Arts (CAPA) and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, where his vision and leadership raised both organizations to new heights.
Gene D'Angelo served as Chairman & President of WBNS-TV, Inc. He joined the WBNS Stations in 1972 as the executive vice president of broadcast operations, and general manager for both television and radio. Gene brought a forward-looking, innovative approach to broadcasting. He introduced the 24 hours news format to Central Ohio and built one of the first fully computerized newsrooms in the country. WBNS-TV was also one of the first television stations in the U.S. to use MiniCam coverage, live telecasts from helicopters and computerized weather graphics.
Gene D’Angelo was an instrumental figure in facilitating Columbus Day celebrations throughout the 70’s, 80’s, & 90’s in Columbus, Ohio. He also played an integral part in the quincentennial celebration in 1992 and spearheaded the Christopher Columbus Flagship Santa Maria project, which brought the Santa Maria replica to the city.
Gene and his wife Priscilla have been married for over 50 years. They have three sons, Jeff, Tim and Tony, and one daughter, Beverly, an accomplished Hollywood actress.