George Vidin Kriste, was born May 19, 1947 in Glendale, CA. Growing up, Kriste was president of the student body and excelled on the Glendale High School basketball team. He was recruited by several colleges and chose to attend the University of San Francisco, where he was its starting center.
After graduating from UCLA Law School in 1972, George began his career with Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) where he was noted both for his skills as a negotiator and his leadership in two national public relations campaigns. George was also a senior executive for Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), an Alaska Native organization in Anchorage. He directed many of CIRI's business, oil, mineral and land activities and led the company's entrée into several broadcast media investments. Subsequently he and partners formed their own successful media company which went on to own broadcast television (KCBA Monterey), radio stations, and multi-use tower properties in Arizona, California, New York, Oregon and Washington.Â
