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Chuck Benson - "Voice of the Cavemen" I was born in Kansas and raised in Nebraska. In 1966, I enlisted in the Army. During the first year I traveled coast to coast and border to border. Then I was banished (reassigned) to Alaska. I couldn't sleep because the sun refused to set, it rained for forty days and nights, there were earthquakes, and mosquitos. I came to love it so much, after the first year, that I stayed for eighteen more. While there I married and soon had a newborn daughter. We brought her closer to her grandparents by moving to Grants Pass in 1986; I also found gainful employment. I quit that job to join the KAJO staff and take advantage of my twenty years of broadcast experience. I am still here. |
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Jared Dill I am a graduate from the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication. I have a strong passion for journalism and traveling. One display of this passion is shown in the travel-blog I write. I would love for you to take a read when you have time. You may find it HERE. |
| ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES | |
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Brandon Wilson I was born in Grants Pass, but spent most of my childhood in Vancouver, Washington. I have been very blessed to be able to do so many cool things in my life. In High School, I was able to go to the basketball state tournament several times and became a volunteer firefighter after graduation. Fighting forest fires continues to be a part of my life. I recently moved back home to help out with the family business (as an advertising consultant). It feels great to be back in my Grants Pass and see everyone again. I love working with the family business my grandpa started when he was my age. When I'm not working, I love to hit the outdoors. Camping, hiking and fishing also take up a lot of my time. The freedom of the outdoors is what keeps me alive. |
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Brian Diatte I was born and raised in Santa Clara, California. I moved to Southern Oregon in 2001, where I met my beautiful wife Shanna. We have four boys (Jacob, Ethan, Ryne and Nevin). When I'm not spending time with one of my clients, you'll most likely find me with my pride and joy, MY BOYS! My true passion in life (aside from my family) is being able to coach the young men in the Grants Pass High School Baseball Program. |
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Cassie Callas My family moved to Grants Pass when I was three months old. I graduated from Grants Pass High School and am still here (and going strong) with my husband and two daughters. I love to go camping, fishing, and entertaining friends with my amazing barbecue. In addition to being your friendly radio sales consultant who loves to put more money in the pockets of our local businesses, you can hear me weekly on KLDR as an announcer. I feel working with our great list of advertisers and bringing new ones to the air waves is one of the most rewarding things I do. I love my family, my community, and the Lord. |
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Debbie Wilson I appreciate the many blessings I have with my family, friends, and working at KAJO/KLDR for the past twenty-two years. I have so many great customers that have also become dear friends through the years. Outside of work my time is mostly spent with my two dogs (Diesel and Gunnar) and my three horses. I love music, reading, working out, and walking. I have a great group of friends, a wonderful Home Group, and I belong to River Valley Community Church. I "attempt" to live my life pleasing to the Lord. I also enjoy a day when I can sit back and watch some chick flicks! |
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Jag Newman I do my best to teach my daughter that life is an amazing gift. I learned more about myself from my daughter's life teachings, than I learned the first twenty-eight years of my life without her. When I have "me" time, I like to play softball, cook, and listen to music. I have the best job and I'm not just saying that. I get to work with family oriented, locally driven, hometown businesses. I love these "local families" who care as much for our small Southern Oregon valley as much as I do; such is gratitude in life. |
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Matt Wilson I am the son of Jim and Pat Wilson, brother to Carl and Sarah, and adopted heir of Jesus Christ. I was fortunate enough to be raised in a loving, quasi-normal, home (as stories go). I was brought up in the radio business and have experienced every aspect from answer the phones on Saturday mornings, to sales, announcing, and management. It has been a blessing with plenty of trials. I consider life a gift. I try to stop take in the view and aromas every day, before the "ugly" has a chance to pollute me from outside and from within. I love business and would love to have three, four, or five things in the hopper. I am an optimist, but I also believe one needs to have some gold, ammo and food on the shelves because "We aren't in Kansas anymore, Toto." You need to fight for what you think is right, and believe one person can make a difference. Let your light shine; it makes a difference. |
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Ralph Borgeson I am the resident "OLD GUY." For the past forty years I have been in love with advertising & all forms of Sales & Marketing. I have worked for & owned businesses from advertising agencies to commercial printing. I spent twenty years as a general contractor & livestock consultant. I have been on both sides of the desk, but I prefer selling to buying. My great passion is dog training & bird hunting. When I'm unable to hunt I like to spend my days chasing Bass. |
| SUPPORT TEAM | |
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Carl Wilson I graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1970. I was in the U.S. Navy (active duty) from 1971 to 1973. I returned to KAJO from 1973-1992. I then moved to the KLDR morning show from 1992-1997. I was appointed to the Oregon Legislature in 1997 and was reelected twice in 1998 and 2000. I made my final returned to KAJO/KLDR in 2003. I am married to Malinda... and have been for 39 years. We have two grown children, JL and Lora. JL is married to Heather and between them; they have four children, Abigail, Tyler, Ashlynn and Johnny. Lora is married to Greg and they enjoy a great life together in Salem, with the rest of the family. Motorcycles are a life- long pleasure of mine. I have ridden a couple of hundred thousand miles since taking to the road in the summer of '68. Currently, my main ride is a 1998 Harley Davidson FLSTS. My "winter-time" ride is a Suzuki Burgman and I will soon be working on restoring a 1980 Triumph Bonneville that was purchased new by my dad and has been in the family since that time. |
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Dave Limauge I grew up in Southern California (Oxnard and Lancaster). I moved to Grants Pass in 1991 where I took a job as a CNA. I worked at various nursing homes in the Grants Pass area for about fourteen years. In 2006, I attended a workshop at the Job Council through which I was able to get an internship at KAJO/KLDR. For the first ten months I helped with everything from Oregon Duck and Grants Pass High football games, setting up for live broadcasts, and writing news stories. In early 2007 I got my big break as the Production Manager and in 2009 I was handed-over the reigns as Music Director. Early on in 2011 I also added the role of Assistant Program Director to my skill-set. This is hands down the best career choice I could have made; I absolutely love my job and the people I work with. |
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Elzie Parker I was sworn in to the United States Navy on 18th of September, 1942. I spent parts of my military career stationed at Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Santa Rosa. By January 1, 1946, I had enough points to be discharged. I then enrolled in John Brown University School of Broadcasting. I stayed for two years, learning all of the phases of Radio Broadcasting that existed at the time: writing and reporting local news, continuity, control room operations, and announcing. In 1957, a long-time friend called me from Grants Pass, Oregon to come out and help him start a brand new station, to be known as KAJO....and there I have remained ever since. |
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Jeanette Stark My parents were married in Grants Pass in 1957. I was born six years later in Washington D.C., where my dad was stationed in the Army. My family moved back to GP when I was nine months old. When I was six my dad moved our family to Alaska. Some years later my dad died and my mom moved our family back to Grants Pass. I am the oldest of three girls. I'm married to Wendell Stark. We began our lives together in June of 1984. We have four grown children and thirteen grandchildren; we currently raise three of them. I began working for KAJO in March of 1991; I signed-on to our FM station for the first time at nine A.M. July 4, 1993. I call it my God-job. I love what I do! You'll find me on KAJO beginning at five A.M. each day and KLDR beginning at six. May God richly bless you, guard and protect you. Email me at jeanette@kldr.com. Peace! |
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Jeremiah Ostrander I was born in Grants Pass, where I was raised and attended school. Before moving back to Grants Pass in 2008, I spent the better part of a decade living in Washington and Colorado. Now I play the full time roll of Web Master for KAJO/KLDR. I'm also a full-time (4.0 gpa) RCC student, and an unpublished author. I have two daughters who live on the other side of the country, but spend their summers here in Oregon with me. Unlike so many people these days, I pride myself on being a gentleman; I use "please" and "thank you," hold the door, and in general try to be the "good-guy" in the story. If you have Facebook, I hope you will add me as one of your friends. |
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Jill Hamm I was born in LaJolla, California. My dad retired from the Navy after twenty-two years of service. My mom worked outside the home while raising three girls. I am very proud of my parents. They raised my sisters (Janice and Judy) and me to be good people, to treat others with respect, and to be productive citizens. While my dad was in the Navy we spent several years living in Hawaii. When he retired we moved to Grants Pass. I have two wonderful sons (C.J. and Jon); I also have two grandchildren (Zack and Shyla). My best friend is my husband, Clarence. I was part of the first ever graduating class from Hidden Valley High School (1978). I love my family, friends, cats, books, gardening, travel, games of chance, and games of fun. |
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Joe Torsitano I was born in Alturas, CA. I started in radio and TV on my high school's stations after moving to Chico. I became Chief Engineer of an Elko, NV, radio station at 19. I was able to work my way up through Redding, Carson City and Sacramento. After becoming an Engineering Manager for two of the largest radio corporations in the country I decided small towns were better for my family. I have been in Grants Pass since 2005. I became Technical Manager for KAJO & KLDR in 1996. I have two boys. My oldest works here in Grants Pass and my youngest is in the Navy. I married my high school sweetheart in 1984. We enjoy camping (as much as possible), riding trains (especially steam driven) and just spending time together. My biggest goal is to be the person Jesus wants me to be (and my dogs think I am). |
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Kathy Scott I am a native Oregonian who was born in Roseburg on my brother's first birthday. I graduated from Grants Pass High School and took a job with my father at Scott's Jewelers; until his passing in 1986. I have moved away from the Rogue Valley many times only to return happier with each homecoming; I love our valley's vibe and beauty. I am passionate about nature, the elderly and animals. On my days off you will find me rafting, walking, or spending time giggling with my family. I also enjoy eating food and sipping wine with dear friends. My musical inclinations run toward contemporary jazz, Christian rock, and classic rock. God has shown me much grace and joy in my life and I try every day to love others as he has loved me. |
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Krystle Dietz I was
born in Torrance, CA. When I was six my family moved to Grants Pass; we have been here ever since. I graduated
from Grants Pass High School in 2005. I attended Rogue Community College for two years, and in 2007 I spent six
weeks studying with the Global Leadership Program in Prague, Czech Republic and Berlin, Germany. I hope to
eventually transfer to a four year university and graduate with a degree
in International Relations and Sociology. Then I would like to do more travelling. I have been in Girl Scouts
since I was five, I love to read, write, listen to music, sing, and work with all things creative--especially
photography.
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