Eugene Radio Personality Named 2019 Oregon Broadcaster of the Year

Eugene Area Radio Stations – EARS – is pleased to announce that the 2019 Oregon Association of Broadcasting’s Broadcaster of the Year has been awarded to a star in our very own backyard. From local radio station KDUK 104.7 FM, Program Director Valerie Steele has been named the 2019 recipient of the OAB Broadcaster of the Year. The award is one of only three state-wide broadcasting awards.

Steele was nominated by Jeff Gaulton, Bicoastal Media Market Manager. Gaulton, notes “Val has been with KDUK for 26 years. Starting as a weekend overnight air talent with zero radio experience, she has worked her way up to the top of the chain as Program Director and Operations Manager for KDUK as well as Operations Manager for US101 Country. She has long been recognized locally as one of radio’s top performers.”

Achieving phenomenal success, not only in radio but also as a beacon and role model for female teens and women throughout the KDUK listening area, Val is a tremendous leader, wife, and mother. She continues to embrace her community and her role as a woman in radio through her work programming KDUK and performing on the air during the afternoon drive every Monday – Friday 2:00-6:00 pm.

That commitment to the community is evident through her inspiration and dedication to KDUK created service programs like Stuff the Bus, where for nearly 25 years, the station has dedicated two days each November, where Val and her KDUK team are on-site at multiple locations around Lane County broadcasting live to raise food, toys, and awareness for Food for Lane County and the local Toys for Tots program. Over the years, KDUK’s Stuff the Bus has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds of food for the cause. 

In addition, KDUK has been the ongoing radio partner for Relay for Life, an annual American Cancer Society event, where again Val and KDUK have been center stage supporting teams from across the County, raising money and awareness for the fight to end cancer. She has been the mainstay for the last 16 years for the Affair of the Heart Women’s expo, annually attracting thousands of area women for an evening of fun and heart health education. In addition, Val and KDUK have long helped lead the way for raising funds for the local Children’s Miracle Network, as part of a two-day live Radiothon from Peacehealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. 

Of this resume, Steele says, “I’m proud that the families and children of Lane County provide constant inspiration for KDUK’s community service focus and efforts. I’m also honored to have been able to share my life with our listeners for 26 years.  We’ve become a family that I couldn’t imagine living without.” 

Gaulton said, “Awarding OAB Broadcaster of the Year to Val Steele is recognition of her continued rise to the top of the Oregon Broadcasting industry and is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her passion for radio and our community.”


Additional Contacts:

Val Steele, Program Director 

KDUK 104.7 FM

Email: valsteele@bicoastal.media 

Telephone: (541)284-3600

 

Jeff Gaulton

General Manager

KDUK 104.7 FM US101 COUNTRY 101.5 FM 

KOOL 99.1 FM KPNW 1120 AM & 93.7 FM

Bicoastal Media

1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 350

Eugene, Or.  97401

(541) 284-3662(desk)

(541) 284-3693 (fax)

(541) 915-0221 (cell)