Stu Allen – Station Manager
After an extended (35+ year) career in commercial radio, Stu Allen finally figured out that public, community radio – specifically KRVM – is where he belongs. After 4 years as the Program Director, Stu recently accepted the role of Station Manager and he looks forward to taking KRVM to the next level.
He’s been a “radio guy” since the age of 16… and never did find his way to the “Real Job” his Grandmother dreamed of… though he believes she would approve of this newest endeavor.
It all started for Stu at KRSB-FM in Roseburg. His Eugene radio adventure began shortly after moving in 1980 to attend LCC and the U of O (BBA in Management ’84). After getting his foot in the door at KZEL and 1280 KBDF (now KRVM-AM) as a college intern, he was quickly hired to work evenings at the AM Oldies station… and that eventually developed into a full time position producing commercials and station promos for both entities, and on-air at KZEL. He jumped to KMGE just after it signed on the air to do the same sort of activities for a few years… and after that was the Program Director of KNRQ. Most recently, he was at Bicoastal Media handling production, news, and programming-related duties. Now – at last – he’s found a home at KRVM.
If you’ve been in Eugene for any length of time, Stu’s voice will probably sound familiar to you… from radio, TV – and maybe even the on-hold message at your Doctor’s office.
In his spare time, Stu’s happy place is on his bike, riding by the river. He’s attempting to re-learn how to play guitar after a three decade hiatus, and every once in a great while he wanders into the hot shop at the EMU Craft Center for an attempt at glass-blowing.
Stu says “I’ve enjoyed training people of all ages in the basics – and the finer points – of radio over the years. My mission is to continue the wonderful variety of music programming on KRVM, and help students and volunteers alike learn and polish their radio-related skills… Plus, have a whole lot of fun in the process!”
Debi Starr, Program Coordinator
Brimming with enthusiasm, Debi Starr brings her nearly 40 years of radio experience to KRVM!
“I have loved music since…forever…I am so thrilled to be a part of KRVM. I listen for the fresh music, the variety and to be near my fellow music lovers.”
Debi happens to be the first female Program Director at KRVM and actually got into the business back in the early 80s when she met a DJ at Lane Community College.
Radio has always been male dominated but Debi was able to rise to the occasion and move on to be Program Director of KZEL for many years and most recently, 10 years at KLOO, a classic rock station in Corvallis/Albany, where she woke up the Willamette Valley with a morning show that focused on music, news and contests. “They handed me the keys to 100,000 watt flame thrower where I enjoyed autonomy, which is very rare these days in radio”
Debi loves sharing the art of radio with Sheldon High School students and putting fresh music in your ears. Keeping Real Variety in Music is what she does and she does it well!
Debi is full of gratitude and spends as much time as possible appreciating mother nature. Most days you can find Debi meditating, hiking and spending time with her four furry roomies: Skittles, Brody, Coolio and Luna (2 cats and 2 dogs as it is all about balance). She is a happy hermit who only comes out of the woods for KRVM and concerts.
Rene Ragan, Membership Coordinator
Though totally new to Radio Broadcasting, music has been a huge part of Rene’s life. She started singing at a young age, recording songs on cassette tapes in her family’s stereo system and taping songs off the radio with her friends to make mix tapes and dance in the living room. Her musical tastes have always been eclectic, ranging from Broadway show tunes, to Folk, to Classic Rock, to Rap and Hip Hop, and more, which melds perfectly with the musical mindset here at KRVM!
Many roads have led her to KRVM having been a Personal Assistant in NYC, a Production Stage Manager off off Broadway, an office manager and behavioral technician at an ABA Clinic for Autistic children, and a Vision Therapist. All while continuing to sing and dance on stage. As the Membership Coordinator, she looks forward to chatting with all our generous and lively members about KRVM, our mutual love of music and this unique station.
She truly believes that Variety is the best part of life and the best part of the music here on KRVM!
Paul Schwartzberg, Development Director
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Paul considers himself a product of the Minneapolis punk scene of the early ’80s. Paul’s first experience in radio was at WMCN the Macalaster College radio station in St Paul, Minnesota. Thanks to Paul’s large record collection, a friend invited him to assist on Rockabilly Rumblings. This experience led Paul to pursue a career in broadcasting, which led him to KPSA, KNMZ, and KMOO radio stations in New Mexico and, eventually, to KNND in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Paul worked at the station from 2000 to 2005, then in 2005, Paul bought the station and ran it from May 2005 until June 2013. After selling the station Paul decided to step away from broadcasting and took a job with the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, where he worked for 2½ years before deciding he was ready to return to the broadcast industry. Paul is overjoyed to have the position of Development Director at KRVM, a station that aligns perfectly with his ideals and concept of what good radio is. Paul also serves on the board of Friends of KRVM. He can be reached at 541-790-6681 or @.. Learn more about the Friends of KRVM here.
John Etheredge, Underwriting Representative
John grew up in East Texas and in Southern California. As a youngster in East Texas, he lived for the nighttime, when he could listen to rock’n’roll and rhythm’n’blues on distant radio stations in Chicago and New Orleans. John began his radio career at KLCC in 1970. He then served as Program Director and on-air personality at a half-dozen Eugene area radio stations, before assuming the Program Director position at KRVM in 1980.
When John came to KRVM, the station was on the air only six days a week, as little as eight hours a day, only during the school year. John’s greatest pride is his central role in developing KRVM’s volunteer recruitment and training program, and in guiding the station’s expansion to full-time operation.
John earned his Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and Film at UO. In 1993, he left his position as KRVM Program Director to pursue a Master’s Degree at OSU, with the goal of becoming a full-time classroom teacher. Since 1998, he’s been teaching at Marcola Elementary School and Mohawk High School in the Marcola School District.
In addition to remaining very active at KRVM, John enjoys being a member of the Rainy Day Blues Society, and he’s much in demand as a special events MC or DJ. He and his wife Candy never miss a chance to hear any of their favorite “oldies” artists in concert, and he regularly shares his interviews with these artists with his KRVM audiences.
Jonathan Ward, Underwriting Representative
Jonathan Ward began his broadcasting career in public radio at the University of New Mexico, where he earned his Broadcast Journalism degree. He’s held positions in commercial radio news, production, and sales.
Jonathan has covered the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, interviewed the president of the United States, covered local government news, and worked the police beat. He’s sold advertising and written and produced spots for local Eugene radio stations, and for KMTR television where he was promoted to local sales manager.
Later, Jonathan owned and operated a direct mail advertising agency before changing careers and becoming a teacher. He earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and taught for nine years at the middle school level.
Jonathan is active in local theater and has a recurring role as the foley artist in Fred Craft’s Radio Redux at the Hult Center. He also hosts Tropical Beat every Friday night on another local public radio station.
Lynn Wiles, Underwriting Representative
Lynn Wiles is the underwriting representative/specialist for the Corvallis and Albany areas. With a mother that was one of the first female disc jockeys in the US, Lynn has radio in her blood and is a lifelong radio listener.
She has a certificated minor in music from Southern Oregon University and is a classically trained vocalist, having spent a dozen years with the Portland Symphonic Choir and Oregon Symphony Orchestra.
Lynn brings more than 20 years of marketing and networking experience to KRVM. Before Covid hit, Lynn was the Manager of Business Development at Cornerstone Associates, Inc. in Corvallis. Prior to that, she set up and managed several community-based employment programs for non-profits in the Portland metro area that helped people with disabilities find meaningful employment.
For all of these programs, Lynn carried out business development and job development, including with several radio stations, both commercial and public. It’s been a lifelong dream of Lynn’s to actually work within the radio industry herself, and here she is! Lynn can be reached at @.