KAFM Staff

The first thing you notice about the staff of KAFM is... it's small.  Most of the station's personnel are unpaid volunteers -- but there are a few positions which require the commitment and presence that a modest salary insures.  Ahoy, then!  Below are those hard-working and dedicated souls who captain the good ship KAFM through its daily journeys...

Ryan Stringfellow – Executive Director

The Executive Director has overall operational responsibility for our parent organization, Grand Valley Public Radio Company, Inc. which include KAFM Community Radio as well as other projects such as Beyond Radio.

Ryan grew up in the mountains of Colorado and ended up in Grand Junction as part of a 12-year 'colleges of the west' tour.  He quickly grew affectionate for the stark contrast of desert, rivers and mesas that comprise this part of the West, along with the very tight-knit community in the Valley, and has called Grand Junction home since 1997.

Ryan has been an on-air volunteer at KAFM since its inception.  After graduating from Mesa State College with a Mass Communications degree, Ryan started as Program Director of KAFM, then Station Manager, before moving on to his current position as Executive Director.  Ryan works hard to play hard, and KAFM has been a rewarding outlet for his passion of community and radio.

Contact Ryan
(970) 241-8801 x 210

Tracy Baker - Operations Manager

Volunteers, Office and Events

Tracy is a Colorado native who moved to Grand Junction (and began listening to KAFM) in 2002.  Her background is in business, but she is thrilled to now be part of a community-based organization like KAFM.  Tracy spends a lot of time outdoors, hiking, fly-fishing and four-wheeling.  She loves to travel and has made recent trips to Africa and Panama.  Tracy says, "I encourage one and all to volunteer at KAFM, no matter how much or how little time you can contribute.  There is much to be done 'behind the scenes' and we appreciate everyone's efforts."

Contact Tracy Baker
(970) 241-8801 x 201

Jon Rizzo - Program Director

People, Airwaves and Music

The Program Director's role is to oversee everything related to what we broadcast.  Responsibilities include creating and monitoring our sound, recruiting, training and continually coaching and improving our volunteer programming team. The Program Director solicits and reviews new programming.

Jon Rizzo has been a programmer at KAFM since 2003, doing shows as various as “Twilight’s Peace,” “Antipop,” and now “Wakey, Wakey with the Rooster” Wednesday mornings from 6-9 am.  In 2005, he became KAFM’s Music Director, in charge of KAFM’s charts and music acquisition.  Jon was recently promoted to Program Director and is now in charge of all things on-air, including programmer training, program schedule and public affairs.  Jon does music for fun as well playing guitar in the local band “Shotgun Hodown.”  In his spare time, Jon builds artistic freeform Juniper furniture, rides bicycles on and off road, and hangs with his wife Nancy and daughter Kate.

Contact Jon Rizzo
(970) 241-8801 x 218

Mara Ferris - Underwriting Director

From the rolling prairie lands of Kansas, Mara comes with her graduate degree and sense of community cultivated at Naropa University on the Front Range.  An independent producer and videographer as well as a skilled dialogue facilitator, Mara brings a unique skill set and expertise to building a strong community of support here at KAFM.  If you want to find Mara in her off time, she is probably out in the backcountry or creating video of the many landscapes and timely issues in the West.

 The underwriting director is responsible for expanding the KAFM community of support in the Grand Valley and ensuring that community partners take advantage of the excellent opportunities for getting their word out on the air.

 (970) 241-8801 x 207

Jeff Driehorst - Operations Assistant

People and Paper

Jeff joined the KAFM staff in December, 2006 to fill the newly created position of Operations Assistant.  He has been a programmer for the Saturday morning Americana show “Mountain Bound” since the Fall of 2005 and a volunteer since the previous Spring.  He first became involved in radio as a high school student many, many years ago.  KAFM renewed his longstanding love of radio.  Jeff brings a passion for music and the unique stories of the people of our community and those who pass through our doors.

Jeff has a profound appreciation of the Grand Valley after living in Denver, several places in the South and growing up in Pennsylvania.  An avid cyclist and backcountry enthusiast, he can be found (or not found) outside somewhere during his time off from his three vocations.  Jeff invites you to drop by the station to say hello, take the tour and become more involved in your community radio station.

Contact Jeff
(970) 241-8801 x 223