Chuck Benson - "Voice of the Cavemen"
News Director/Sports Director

I was born in Kansas and raised in Nebraska.  In 1966, I enlisted in the Army.  During the first year I traveled coast to coast and border to border.  Then I was banished (reassigned) to Alaska.  I couldn't sleep because the sun refused to set, it rained for forty days and nights, there were earthquakes, and mosquitos.  I came to love it so much, after the first year, that I stayed for eighteen more.  While there I married and soon had a newborn daughter.  We brought her closer to her grandparents by moving to Grants Pass in 1986; I also found gainful employment. I quit that job to join the KAJO staff and take advantage of my twenty years of broadcast experience.  I am still here.

Jared Dill
News Reporter

I am a graduate from the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication.  I have a strong passion for journalism and traveling.  One display of this passion is shown in the travel-blog I write.  I would love for you to take a read when you have time.  You may find it HERE. 

Brian Diatte
Sales Manager

I was born and raised in Santa Clara, California.  I moved to Southern Oregon in 2001, where I met my beautiful wife Shanna.  We have four boys (Jacob, Ethan, Ryne and Nevin).  When I'm not spending time with one of my clients, you'll most likely find me with my pride and joy, MY BOYS!  My true passion in life (aside from my family) is being able to coach the young men in the Grants Pass High School Baseball Program.

Cassie Callas
Advertising Consultant/Promotions Director/Announcer

My family moved to Grants Pass when I was three months old.  I graduated from Grants Pass High School and am still here (and going strong) with my husband and two daughters. I love to go camping, fishing, and entertaining friends with my amazing barbecue.  In addition to being your friendly radio sales consultant who loves to put more money in the pockets of our local businesses, you can hear me weekly on KLDR as an announcer.  I feel working with our great list of advertisers and bringing new ones to the air waves is one of the most rewarding things I do.  I love my family, my community, and the Lord.

Debbie Wilson
Advertising Consultant

I appreciate the many blessings I have with my family, friends, and working at KAJO/KLDR for the past twenty-two years.  I have so many great customers that have also become dear friends through the years.

Outside of work my time is mostly spent with my two dogs (Diesel and Gunnar) and my three horses.  I love music, reading, working out, and walking.  I have a great group of friends, a wonderful Home Group, and I belong to River Valley Community Church.  I "attempt" to live my life pleasing to the Lord.  I also enjoy a day when I can sit back and watch some chick flicks!

Brenda Amaral
Advertising Consultant/Announcer

When I'm not working I love most things that take place outside the home; I can never get enough time in the sun!

I received my SCUBA certification a few years ago and have enjoyed participating in several amazing dives.  Aside from my own hobbies, I try to spend as much time as possible with my three children and my three grandchildren.  The rest of my family rank pretty highly in my life too. 

When I'm not offering my advertising expertise to the Rogue Valley I can be heard on both KAJO and KLDR.

Carl Wilson
CEO/Announcer

I made my on-air debut in the summer of `68. For the most part, I've been on the air continually since that time... with a couple of partial detours. I joined the navy right after high school and spent two years active duty and a bunch of years in reserve. Another very interesting detour was an appointment to the Oregon State Legislature in 1998 and two subsequent reelections. I love being on the radio and enjoy my time on KAJO each day from 8 to 11 AM. Radio is SO much fun... especially when you can relax and talk about things that really matter. One highlight of my career was going through the process of adding KLDR to the fold back in 1991 and getting an opportunity to do contemporary radio on FM as a morning jock.

I am married to Malinda and have been since summer of `72, and we have two adult children, J.L. and Lora. J.L. is a vice president with Associated Oregon Industries of Salem and Lora is a marriage and family therapist with a practice in Salem. They are both married to great people... J.L.'s wife is Heather... and Lora's husband, Greg. We also have grandchildren Abigail Wilson, Tyler Johns, and Ashlynn and Johnny Withers and Samson Goodenough.

My hobby is motorcycles. I don't know how many hundreds of thousands of miles I have ridden since the summer of `68, but it has been too many to count. My old Harley and I are slowing down and I am happy to be getting interested in travel trailers. Malinda and I have really enjoyed this hobby over the last several years and there is more to come, I trust! Malinda and I are very active in the ministry at River Valley Community Church and enjoy having our bibles close at hand. We don't just carry them, we believe them. Life without Jesus Christ would be useless to me.

Elzie Parker
Co-Founder

I was sworn in to the United States Navy on 18th of September, 1942.  I spent parts of my military career stationed at Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Santa Rosa.  By January 1, 1946, I had enough points to be discharged.

I then enrolled in John Brown University School of Broadcasting. I stayed for two years, learning all of the phases of Radio Broadcasting that existed at the time: writing and reporting local news, continuity, control room operations, and announcing.

In 1957, a long-time friend called me from Grants Pass, Oregon to come out and help him start a brand new station, to be known as KAJO....and there I have remained ever since.

Jeanette Stark
Program Director/Announcer

My parents were married in Grants Pass in 1957.  I was born six years later in Washington D.C., where my dad was stationed in the Army.  My family moved back to GP when I was nine months old.  When I was six my dad moved our family to Alaska.  Some years later my dad died and my mom moved our family back to Grants Pass.

I am the oldest of three girls.  I'm married to Wendell Stark.  We began our lives together in June of 1984.  We have four grown children and thirteen grandchildren; we currently raise three of them.  I began working for KAJO in March of 1991; I signed-on to our FM station for the first time at nine A.M. July 4, 1993. I call it my God-job.  I love what I do!  You'll find me on KAJO beginning at five A.M. each day and KLDR beginning at six.  May God richly bless you, guard and protect you.  Email me at jeanette@kldr.com.  Peace!

Jill Hamm
Traffic Manager/Office Manager/Advertising Consultant

I was born in LaJolla, California.  My dad retired from the Navy after twenty-two years of service.  My mom worked outside the home while raising three girls.  I am very proud of my parents.  They raised my sisters (Janice and Judy) and me to be good people, to treat others with respect, and to be productive citizens.  While my dad was in the Navy we spent several years living in Hawaii.  When he retired we moved to Grants Pass.  I have two wonderful sons (C.J. and Jon); I also have two grandchildren (Zack and Shyla). My best friend is my husband, Clarence.  I was part of the first ever graduating class from Hidden Valley High School (1978).

I love my family, friends, cats, books, gardening, travel, games of chance, and games of fun. 

Joe Torsitano
Technical Manager

I was born in Alturas, CA.  I started in radio and TV on my high school's stations after moving to Chico.  I became Chief Engineer of an Elko, NV, radio station at 19.  I was able to work my way up through Redding, Carson City and Sacramento.  After becoming an Engineering Manager for two of the largest radio corporations in the country I decided small towns were better for my family.  I have been in Grants Pass since 2005 and became Technical Manager for KAJO & KLDR in 2006.  I have two boys.  My oldest works here in Grants Pass and my youngest is in the Navy (current serving on the final trip for the USS Enterprise).  I married my high school sweetheart in 1984.  We enjoy camping (as much as possible), riding trains (especially steam driven) and just spending time together.  My biggest goal is to be the person Jesus wants me to be (and my dogs think I am).

Kathy Scott
PSA Director/Receptionist/Support Staff

I am a native Oregonian who was born in Roseburg on my brother's first birthday.  I graduated from Grants Pass High School and took a job with my father at Scott's Jewelers; until his passing in 1986.  I have moved away from the Rogue Valley many times only to return happier with each homecoming; I love our valley's vibe and beauty.  I am passionate about nature, the elderly and animals. On my days off you will find me rafting, walking, or spending time giggling with my family.  I also enjoy eating food and sipping wine with dear friends.  My musical inclinations run toward contemporary jazz, Christian rock, and classic rock.  God has shown me much grace and joy in my life and I try every day to love others as he has loved me.

Krystle Dietz
Receptionist

I was born in Torrance, CA. When I was six my family moved to Grants Pass; we have been here ever since. I graduated from Grants Pass High School in 2005. I attended Rogue Community College for two years, and in 2007 I spent six weeks studying with the Global Leadership Program in Prague, Czech Republic and Berlin, Germany. I hope to eventually transfer to a four year university and graduate with a degree in International Relations and Sociology. Then I would like to do more travelling. I have been in Girl Scouts since I was five, I love to read, write, listen to music, sing, and work with all things creative--especially photography.

Rain Redfield
Web Master/Social Media Director/Photographer/Announcer

I was born in Grants Pass, where I was raised and attended school.  Before moving back to Grants Pass in 2008, I spent the better part of a decade living in Washington and Colorado.  

Now I play the full time roll of Web Master for KAJO/KLDR.  I'm also a full-time (4.0 gpa) RCC student, a DJ (nights and weekends) and an unpublished author.   I have two daughters who live on the other side of the country, but spend their summers here in Oregon with me.  Unlike so many people these days, I pride myself on being a gentleman; I use "please" and "thank you," hold the door, and in general try to be the "good-guy" in the story.  If you have Facebook, I hope you'll add me so we can get to know one another.

Scott Smith
Technical Crew/Event Specialist

I was born in Burbank, California. My wefe, Lisa, and I recently celebrated our 30^th wedding anniversary.  We have two grown sons who also live in Oregon.  I have a deep love of music and was a drummer for 40 happy years, but ended up with wrist problems.  I found, with the help of wrist braces, I'm able to play the bass and have been doing so for a few years. I love it! My wife and I chose Grants Pass because, coincidentally, we both had been through Grants Pass with our parents as children and remembered the beauty of the area. Later when we visited as adults, we both had very positive impressions of the people.We are happier here than we have ever been and it's not just the climate, it's the people!