Good afternoon. The Oregon Association of Broadcasters is proud to announce the winners of the 2019 Broadcaster of the Year, Heritage Awards and Tom McCall Leadership Award.
2019 Broadcaster of the Year Award goes to Valerie Steele, Program Director and Operations Manager-KDUK and Operations Manager for KFLY radio Eugene. Valerie has been with KDUK for 26 years, starting as an intern and working her way up to the “top of the chain” as per Jeff Gaulton, General Manager of Bicoastal Media. Valerie instituted programs like Stuff the Bus over 20 years ago to help raise awareness and gather food donations for needy Lane County residents. She also works with Toys for Tots and Relay for Life helping raise funds and awareness for these important causes. She also created Dress Dash, and for the last 17 years Valerie and KDUK have been the mainstay for the Affair of the Heart program which focuses on women. This annual one day event has over 5000 attendees. Val and KDUK have helped lead the way for raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network via a two day radiothon benefiting Sacred Heart Hospital. Val is a busy person and very deserving of this award.
2019 Tom McCall Leadership Award goes to Representative Carl Wilson, owner of Grants Pass Broadcasting. Carl Wilson was literally “raised on radio”, to use the title of a popular Journey album. His earliest memories are of watching his father, Jim Wilson, pull an air shift at KLAD-AM in Klamath Falls, then situated in a farm house south of town. The Wilsons had just moved to Klamath Falls from Hays, Kansas, where Jim had been an announcer-salesman at KAYS-AM. In 1957 the Wilson family moved to Grants Pass, where Jim founded KAJO-AM 1270. Carl began working at the station at age 12, answering the phone Saturday mornings. By 15, he had moved to working on-air. Carl joined the U.S. Navy after high school graduation and following his hitch in the Navy, Carl returned to Grants Pass. He learned the fine art of advertising sales and coupled that with a daily announcing shift. By the 1980s Carl had moved to station manager/announcer and helped the company add KLDR-FM in 1991. Carl began his career in politics starting in 1998 serving as State Representative for Grants Pass and Josephine County. We thank Representative Wilson for his dedication to the community he serves as well as to his fellow broadcasters.
2019 Broadcast Heritage Awards:
Samuel Powell, engineer for COBi Corporate Engineering Group, AKA Redronix. Samuel joined KOBI in 1983 and has been a valued member of the engineering staff for over 36 years. His work on behalf of the facility is exemplary, and he performs his duties with passion and possesses a “never give up” attitude towards every project he tackles. Sam is innovative and talented when it comes to fixing equipment, often fabricating repair parts that are no longer available to purchase. Sam has continued to grow with the company and his excellent work and reliability never goes unnoticed.
Dan Mullen, Music Director and Morning Host KKNZ AM & FM Eugene. Dan has been active in the broadcast field for over 50 years! He was a founding member of Jefferson Radio in Ashland and is still on the board of directors. He has been the Morning host and Program director with KEED and KPNW starting in the 70’s, KODZ & KPNW in the 80’s and KUGN and KKNX in the 90’s. He is still working for KKNX and KEED as Music Director. Dan also worked as a News Director for KLSR TV from 1986 to 1991. Dan has been employed in the broadcast industry in Lane County longer than anyone at any station. There should be a medal to go along with the Heritage Award for Dan!
Jerry Allen, Play by Play Announcer for the Oregon Ducks. The longest play-by-play announcer in Oregon’s history has promoted Oregon sports for over 30 years. His role in the community has been immeasurable. From his involvement with Children’s Miracle Network, Muscular Dystrophy and many other charities. One of the best-known calls on radio was “The Pick,” Kenny Wheaton’s interception for the Oregon win in the 1994 Oregon vs. Washington football game. “He is a Oregon Legend and his voice is synonymous with the Ducks,” said University of Oregon athlete director Ron Mullen. Jerry Allen, Oregon’s play-by-play man, the true voice of the Oregon Ducks!
A special thanks to all of you who sent in the nomination forms with deserving nominees this year. I hope you will keep these people in mind again and maybe some others throughout 2020 who you feel deserve our recognition. I know every radio and TV station has someone that may go unnoticed, but truthfully should be recognized and rewarded by you and your peers. Please keep this in mind as we go through the year. Thank you and congratulations to all the recipients.
Sincerely,
Bob Singer
President & Executive Director
Oregon Association of Broadcasters
3422 NW Bryce Canyon Ln.
Bend, OR 97703
Direct Cell: 503-443-2299
Email: theoab@theoab.org
www.theoab.org
