Meet Chad, a lifelong Kansas resident who's been lost in the radio wilderness for as long as he can remember. In his 28 years of radio mayhem, he's managed to accumulate more roles than a teenager's part-time job at a carnival. Chad's journey began in Colby, where he tried to describe sporting events, all while being a faithful student at Colby Community College. And yes, he was quite the multitasker—painting word pictures of his alma mater's games and brewing his first radio potion at KXXX. After a brief intermission in Great Bend, he decided to try his luck in Goodland. There, he provided play-by-play for games of the week, and covering the Cowboys and Cowgirls. But wait, there's more! Chad wasn't just a play-by-play wizard; he took a wild detour into the thrilling world of sales. Picture this: Chad, the master persuader, selling radio ads like they were golden tickets to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. From Goodland, it was off to Garden City, where he had the Buffaloes and Broncbusters on speed dial for 6 unforgettable years. He eventually decided that multitasking was too easy, so he threw management into the mix, all while hosting the morning show, selling ads, and high-fiving local sports teams. Next stop: Wichita. Chad got to play with the big kids, taking on regional and network roles while still squeezing in time for local college and high school teams. Chad returned to his hometown of Colby 15 years ago, with his wife Carey and their two rambunctious boys, Kendall (3) and Zaiden (5). As a proud member of the Rocking M Media family, he's worn more hats than a hat store during a half-off sale—voice of the Colby Eagles, morning show host, ad-selling machine, and occasional bossman. He takes great pride in his radio family that puts together a tremendous on-air product that informs and entertains the local community. But that's not all! Chad's community involvement makes him busier than a caffeinated squirrel. He's on more committees and boards than he can count, and let's just say he's had more meetings than the United Nations, which is quite the accomplishment for someone who still can't figure out how to program the office coffee machine. Chad's wife, Carey, is in her 15th season as the Head Volleyball Coach at Colby Community College. Together, they're herding two energetic boys through life, and let's be honest, that's a challenge that makes juggling chainsaws look easy. With 27 years of radio experience under his belt, Chad is a true radio jack-of-all-trades. He's a sports guru, a salesman, an on-air announcer, and a management man. If he ever decides to retire, you can bet he'll do it in style, commentating on the most epic retirement party Kansas has ever witnessed! And who knows, maybe he'll even sell tickets to that.

From Radonda: "My husband, Phil and I have been married for 36 years, we have 12 year old son that we follow all of his sports, baseball, football etc that keeps us busy. I enjoy spending time with my family. I have been at the radio station for 25 years as the business manager. I generate the daily station logs, print billings and a whole lot of other stuff to help make the station run."

Welcome to another broadcast day… I’m Paul B. Heskett: I’ve been employed at this radio station since the summer of 1983. Actually, my first board shift here was in the fall of 1978 while I was enrolled in the Radio Program at Colby Community College. We started an oldies show in 1983 called” Bop Shop Saturday”. “Bop Shop Saturday” has become an award-winning program that still runs every Saturday morning! I love being on the air and interacting with our listeners and playing good tunes! I’m also involved with severe weather, gathering some news stories and promoting events, including some great concerts. Thru the years, I’ve been involved with over 60 well-known artists (Marie Osmond, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, and Three Dog Night to name a few). Monday through Friday I’m a sales representative for all of our Rocking M Radio stations. I have many clients that advertise on our air waves. I take pride in getting results for them. It amazes me how Radio is so effective, many people today can still sing the Grinnell Locker jingle: one 800- 2-72- 14-11 and it hasn’t been on the airwaves for 7 years! It’s been exciting to see how technology has changed over the years (like all new control rooms and state of the art equipment). Without a doubt, I can tell you that our present staff is the best we’ve ever had on board. I especially appreciate the Miller family that owns our company, and I really do believe I’m their number one son! I have been so blessed in choosing Radio as a career. I once heard that if you find something you love to do and if you can make a living doing it, it will never be a job! Well let me tell you, I have a good gig going! I would like to say “thank you” to our listeners and sponsors, because of your support we keep going and growing. “See you on the radio”

Joel Navarro is the Operations Manager for NWKS Radio, overseeing stations in Goodland and Colby, Kansas. His career began in 1985 at KSSS and KVUU in Colorado Springs, and he has since worked at numerous stations, including KIKX, KKCS, and Salem's The Word in Music Satellite Network. A career highlight was working on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee, at the legendary WSIX The Big 98. Joel’s significant role at Clear Channel Radio in 2000 as Operations Manager for KKLI and KMOM marked a key moment in his career, with experience spanning Iowa, Indiana, Colorado, Tennessee, and Kansas. Joel has had the honor of interviewing a diverse array of music legends, including Lionel Richie, Tom Scholz and Brad Delp of Boston, the guys from Deep Purple, Willie Nelson, George Clinton, the Bay City Rollers, Radney Foster, Ronnie James Dio, The Scorpions, Kenny Rogers, Michael Martin Murphey, George Jones, The Statler Brothers, and the legendary Dick Clark. Passionate about the Adult Album Alternative format, Joel enjoys music from Tom Waits, Chris Rea, The Mavericks, Future Islands, and Richard Thompson. He is proud of his family in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Austin, Texas, and especially fond of his three nieces, Lauren, Lyndi, and Liana. His best buddy is his dog Baxter. Joel is excited to contribute to the vibrant communities of Goodland and Colby, enhancing local radio for listeners and advertisers.

"I’ve worked at the KXXX/KRDQ station since September 6, 1998. My first show was Songs of Salvation on KXXX (2001-2022). I have hosted Rock Ride every Friday since 2008, and you can hear the Timson Experience, Monday-Friday on 100.3 The Ride, from 7-9 am, and Monday-Thursday on Hot Country 97.9 from 9-noon. I spent most of my childhood in Atwood, and graduated from the Kansas State School for the Blind. I attended Colby Community College and graduated from the Radio Program. I have been married to my incredibly talented and beautiful wife, Hollie, since 2011. We have two feline fur babies named Blaze and Norah." -Shane Timson

After growing up in a small farming community in southeast Nebraska Ross went to college at Northwest Missouri State University where he looked to combine his passion (sports) & one of his skills (public speaking). After four years in Maryville he was hired to be the Farm Director & Area sports play-by-play guy in Colby. After five years in Colby, Ross took the Sports Director position in Goodland where he is the voice of Goodland High School athletics as well as Northwest Tech basketball and he hosts the Morning Blitz. He now also helps manage the sales department. Whenever he has time Ross loves spending time with his wife Janessa and children Nora, Banks, & Bishop. He enjoys golfing different courses & fly fishing in the summer months. Whenever he can make it back he loves attending University of Nebraska sporting events to cheer on his beloved Huskers and

Kristina is a born and raised Colby, KS girl and is passionate about her community. With NWKS Radio, she gets to help plan and host events, visit with people all over NWKS, keep people informed on events, weather, and news, and even jumps on the radio once and awhile. She's behind (and in front of) videos, social media, and marketing. She'll be the first to tell you that she has the best job ever! Kristina is crazy about her nephew and neices, her dogs, and live music.

From Brian: "I started in radio while I was going to college, the part time position offered by the station was great for a college student’s schedule. It wasn’t long after I started working at the station that I fell in love with all the various pieces of technical equipment that the station had. After graduating from College I had the luck of being offered an apprenticeship with the station’s regional engineer and that worked into a full time position and I did that for several years. I left radio for a bit, but found my way back after only a short leave. When I came back this time I was on the air and the stations Operations Manager, overseeing the on air staff for a cluster of stations and helping with any technical issues the station had. After doing that for several years, I took the position of General Manager, and eventually moved from that to an IT/Technical position and I continue to do an on air show today! I’ve been in radio on the Air/Technical side for 20+ years and I’m looking forward to the next 20+ years! Because of radio, I’ve gotten to talk with and meet some of the most interesting and awesome people ever, the list of unique memories and experiences goes on and on! I currently live with my Wife and our 4 dogs and in my spare time, I like to read, watch television, and enjoy life!"

Kaitlyn Wolters grew up on a small farm outside of Atwood, KS where her family raised cattle and grew crops. Kaitlyn was involved in 4-H from the age of 7 years old until she graduated high school, and throughout that time showed cattle, pigs, goats, and horses. She realized her love of cattle and began showing at the National Western Stock Show and the American Gelbvieh Junior Association shows, and continued to do so for many years. When she began high school she became very involved in her local FFA chapter, holding the positions of Secretary, Vice President, and President. Kaitlyn attended college at Kansas State University and graduated in May 2024 with an Animal Science degree. She enjoys working cattle with her family and getting to see all the new calves in the spring. She is very excited to be part of the team at Kansas Farm and Ranch Radio in Colby, KS.

"My name is Ann Myers, I just started with the station at the end of 2024. I work out of the new location in Goodland KS in sales. I moved to Goodland in 2012 since then I have managed Subway and then had my own restaurant on Main. I have 2 children, my daughter just got married in June 2024 and my son is studying Civil Engineering at KState. I am really excited about this new venture and meeting even more people in Goodland."

Derek was born in Hoxie, Kansas in the mid eighties, but raised in Colby until graduating from CHS in 2003. While in the Colby Public School system, he was involved in basketball, football, wrestling, and golf but only found mediocrity in competing. After high school, Derek spent a semester at Colby Community College knocking out his general education credits before moving to Denver in 2005. It would take five years in corporate management before he returned to school earning a Bachelors Degree in Political Science with a minor in Digital Media from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2015. During his time in Denver, he met his wife Leticia and started a family with their three children Mario Eli, Gala Lee, and Joseph Wayne. Mario graduated in 2020 and joined the Air National Guard in Nevada while attending University of Nevada at Reno. Gala attends CHS, participating in Art, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Track. Joseph attends CMS and takes part in wrestling. Before moving back home, Derek spent fourteen years working for Hyatt Hotel Corporation in Denver and Lake Tahoe, Nevada. In the hospitality industry he learned about client relations, the food and beverage operations, and developed a passion for adult beverages. Moving back to Kansas during the pandemic, the White family found pleasure in experiencing the small-town childhood that Derek enjoyed. Working for Earthworks landscape and irrigation for five summers, Derek reestablished relationships that were lost over the years. Now, looking to use his degree Derek will be jumping into the News full time with a passion for providing his audience with up-to-date news and happenings in Northwest Kansas.

Jerad was born in Colorado and raised in the Rocky Mountains near Granby, Colorado. Jerad graduated high school in 1991. His father was a Corporal with the Colorado State Patrol until his passing in 1994 and his mother was a Vice-President of a local bank that had its home offices located in Ohio. She is retired and lives in northern Colorado where she is enjoying life not shoveling snow. Jerad has two sisters, a brother-in-law and a niece. One sister works for the Douglas County Clerk’s Office in Colorado and her husband is the executive chef at restaurant in Cherry Creek, Colorado. His niece works for the State of Colorado in the Probation and Parole office. Jerad’s other sister is self-employed and works in real estate in northern Colorado. Jerad attended college in Colorado, Hawaii and here in Kansas. Jerad has two degrees – an Associates of Applied Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s of Science in Justice Studies with a minor in Psychology. Go Buffs, go Bows and go Tigers! Jerad moved from Colorado to Colby, Kansas in June 2005 and started working for the City of Colby and the Colby Police Department. Jerad is currently a Sergeant with the Department and has been serving in that capacity since November of 2023. Jerad is starting his 21st year with the Colby Police Department this year. Jerad loves working for the City of Colby, but he said he’s always dreamed of working in radio. “Ever since I was a kid, I thought it would be the coolest thing, to be an on-air DJ talking about music and people and everything that goes with that. My dad used to always have the radio on when I was a kid. We listened to Kool 105 out of Denver. My dad couldn’t tell ya when my birthday was, (Ha Ha), but he could tell you who sang that song, what year the album came out, all the members of the band, the record label and where he was in the world when he first heard that song. I always thought that was the coolest thing. I listen to everything from Frank Sinatra to Metallica to Korn to The Dave Matthews Band and everything in between. I think music is something that unites everyone and keeps us grounded and alive”. Jerad has a 12-year-old son that he chases all over the state of Kansas and Colorado watching play baseball, football and soccer as well as indoor skydiving, racing go-karts and playing drums. “We’re working on getting him closer to his first skydiving experience. He’s exited – his mom not so much”. “My favorite hobbies are going to any Colorado sporting event. Go Broncos, Avalanche, Nuggets, Rockies, Rapids, Mammoth, Buffaloes and Falcons. Friends don’t let friends go to CSU”. Jerad said he also enjoys listening to music, watching movies, cooking and traveling to Florida to see his family. “I am truly excited to be here with Northwest Kansas Radio. This is a dream come true. Everyone here is great to work with and is extremely talented. An amazing group of wonderful people. I am truly lucky and looking forward to helping make NWKS radio the best they can be”.