Welcome to our Board of Directors

Our Board Members

About KAFM Board Governance

In 2001, The KAFM Board of Directors made a strategic decision to institute a dynamic model of board governance called Policy Governance.  This highly acclaimed model allows Board members to focus on long-range planning rather than operational minutia.

It has been overwhelmingly successful in helping to create an organization that is responsive, creative and highly accountable for superior results.

By setting out clearly defined goals and policies for management, the board can focus on mission and strategic agendas.  Management, in turn, is given the authority and flexibility to operate the organization within these pre-established guidelines.  Policy Governance has been instrumental in creating an organization that in just a few short years has become one of the most widely respected and highly effective non-profits in the Grand Valley.

Board of Directors Contact Information

Bruce Bonar, Secretary

In addition to being on the KAFM Board of Directors, Bruce is an active KAFM volunteer, and continues as one of the original Studio D concert sound engineers.  He is also very active in local city government.  He is a member the Fruita City Council, is Chairman on the Fruita Board of Adjustments, and is also on the Fruita Tree Board.  He previously served on the Fruita Planning Commission and the Community Master Plan Steering Committee.

Bruce has a broad background of experience.  He was born in Washington, D.C., and graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Conservation and Resource Development (Fish and Wildlife Management).  He has worked as a cartographer, land and river guide, race car mechanic and crew chief, worked in fisheries biology with Colorado River endangered fishes, and was Lead Quality Control Chemist at a chemical manufacturing plant.

He enjoys playing with old Golden Retrievers, old Landcruisers and sailing canoes.

Mike Piontkowski

Michaelp (Piontkowski) came to Colorado in 1980 and Grand Junction in 1986. His work as an archaeologist brought him here, but the outdoor opportunities and KAFM have kept him here.

He has been a very active volunteer since the first fund drive, and has participated in many other fundraising events that have been organized and hosted by the “Party animals.”  If it makes money for the station (legally) Michael is always a willing participant.

He has been an avid listen, fervent supporter and believes that our community is the better for the station and all of the great folks that make it happen.

The love of music and community is the glue that brings us all together and music and community also serves so many positive roles in our lives.

Claudia McClintock Ragar, President

Having only been west of the Mississippi River once, Claudia left her home state of Ohio and landed in Denver, Colorado in Fall, 1982. After 20 years, she finally escaped the metropolis and moved with her family to Grand Junction to enjoy all that the West Slope has to offer in outdoor adventure and solace in nature. She has four amazing children -- Baylee (21), Logan (18), Dillon (16) and Madison (14).

Currently Executive Director at Child & Migrant Services in Palisade, Colorado, Claudia has worked in the non-profit world for over 17 years, primarily in the areas of public education, health care and human services. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology (Miami University) and a Masters in Business Administration (University of Colorado at Denver).

Shortly after moving to GJ, Claudia discovered KAFM while flipping the dial and has been hooked on community radio ever since. It became a family affair when her son, Dillon started as a volunteer programmer at age 12. “Where else, but at KAFM community radio, will they let a 12-year-old try his hand at programming”?

Claudia has been on the Board of Directors for four years now and is pleased to be leading during such exciting times for the station -- as it increases to 300 watts and reaches within the businesses and homes of even more Grand Valley residents.

Jason Smith

Jason Smith arrived in the Grand Valley in December, 2001 from Boulder, Colorado after meeting and marrying his wife and fellow KAFM volunteer, Kim. Originally from dusty West Texas, he has adopted Colorado, and the Grand Valley especially, as home. "Life really is grand here. Kim and I enjoy spending our free time with our daughter, Grace; cooking; hiking; riding bikes; and travelling. We enjoy the many outdoor adventures the Grand Valley provides in the form of varied seasonal and landscape opportunities."

Jason works for the URS Corporation handling environmental compliance issues related to mine and mill reclamation projects in Arkansas, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Before moving to Grand Junction, he worked in fish hatcheries and environmental laboratories in Boulder, where he first was exposed to community radio at KGNU. Shortly after moving to Grand Junction, he discovered KAFM and became a member. A year and several exciting fund drives later, he knew he needed to be a part of the KAFM community and began the programmer training. He eventually landed his own show on Sunday afternoons playing alt-country and Americana, where he continues to enjoy playing a mix of new and old music.

Cliff Sprinkle

Cliff came to the Grand Valley in 1992 from Scottsdale, Arizona and spent the first 14 years in the Palisade area and now lives in downtown Grand Junction with his incredible wife, Julie, and dogs, Georgie and Deuce. Cliff works for the First National Bank of the Rockies. Prior to all of this, those important formative years (mid/late '70s) were spent at the University of Arizona in Tucson, after which he began his banking career in 1980 in Arizona. In 2002, Cliff did an about-face to become a seasonal Park Ranger for Colorado State Parks. He did this for six years and between seasons, he worked and traveled throughout the US, Mexico and Canada.

"It makes me proud to say I have lived my entire life in the American West and value everything about it, with an emphasis on Original Coors. From standing on the summit of Mt. Rainier to bashing around in The Maze, the West is my soul center of the universe. In my estimation, KAFM represents everything a radio station should be: locally owned and operated, community based programming, assisting where it can and most importantly, great music. I am honored to be a part of KAFM and its terrific team of staff and directors."