Board Candidates’ Statements 2014

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Board Candidates’ Statements 2014
The candidate statements have been printed as submitted.  Neither the KBOO Nominating Committee nor the Board of Directors vouch for the accuracy of the information contained within them.

Kathleen O’Brien  

HI. I'm a woman with language talents and creative ideas, who is very happy to work as part of a team. I moved to Portland from Eugene in 1981, and was turned on to KBOO by a friend on the left fringe. I like the eclectic and multi-cultural diversity of KBOO'S music and programming. Before moving to Portland I lived in Asia for more than a year and spent some time in Greece, and I could have settled anywhere, but Portland seemed the best fit. I was very glad to see the international vibe to the station's music and programming, and it has been maintained in a positive way for all this time. Kudos to KBOO.

I worked at KBVR radio and TV in college at Oregon State, and did some commercial voiceover work for Dick Weinman, and have always enjoyed radio. My sister met her husband when they both worked at the campus radio station in college. My mom is a (retired) speech teacher, and language is a strong focus for me.

I have a disabled son who is non-verbal, and I love to play with words.

I've been self-employed in Portland since 1983, often just scraping by. Even though I have some friends who have stable lives, mine is pieced together every month. I would love to have a volunteer spot on the KBOO Board. I'm laid-back and interested in all types of progressive ideas. I think Portland is a role model, and I'm happy to support KBOO any way I'm able.

P.S. My initials and nickname are "KOB" so I also like the call letters very much.

Hear Kathleen O'Brien on the Candidate Forum by going to this link:
http://kboo.fm/content/kbooboardofdirectorscandidateforumjimmytardyrichardk


Benjamin Magoun

I have found that the best way to create meaning in my life is through serving my community. In pursuit of this philosophy, I have recently shifted from a career in biomedical engineering and returned to school to pursue a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. This latest endeavor will help me attain the skills necessary to improve the lives of my family, friends and community. I'm applying for this position as a way to create abundance in my life by nurturing my passions.

Not only am I already a contributor and volunteer for KBOO, but I have also gained regulatory and operational experience with other non profits such as PBS, Red Cross, and Natural foods Co-op in Kent, Ohio. I am also associated with the Portland Mountain Rescue team.

As a board member I plan to sharpen the organization's strategy and help crystallize what KBOO is trying to accomplish. I am equipped and prepared to wrestle with the organization's issues, whether they are strategic, programmatic or financial.

My guiding principles would revolve around the model of Lewis Hill, the founder of listener supported radio. His philosophies are as valuable today as when they were first conceived: maintaining a community outlet, forming workshops and classes, focusing on community welfare, and promoting the study of political, social, economic problems and causes.
With the death of net neutrality, the importance of community radio is reemerging. People are rediscovering the objective, non-corporate expression terrestrial radio still allows. This position would allow me to act as an activist for an organization I highly respect as we as allow me to better represent the members of my community.

Hear Benjamin Magoun on the Candidate Forum by going to this link:
http://kboo.fm/content/gettoknowyour2014kbooboardofdirectorscandidates


Sekoynia Wright

Radio interview scheduled: Tuesday, Sept 9 at 8 AM 
I am seeking to be apart of KBOO's Board of Directors for two simple reasons: growth and longevity. To create growth in volunteers and membership and the continuation of producing compelling content that KBOO has always been known for. I have more than five years experience in community radio with experience in: KBOO's newsroom as a reporter and into a producer role for over a year; recording and editing audio; board engineer for live and pre-recorded programming; producing a variety of on-air public affairs programming; participation in outreach for KBOO at events like 'KBOO Night at Portland Blazers' home games and other events and festivals. And most importantly, I have volunteered at every membership fundraising as well as given money for membership since my start with KBOO in April 2010.

As part of the team with other peers on the board, I want to help assist to keep KBOO the leader in local media and community by using the experience and knowledge I have earned at KBOO. This radio station is much more valuable than we really know....it's just a matter of making positive adjustments that will keep the station modern and ahead of the game while staying true to KBOO's CORE VALUES!

Hear Sekoynia Wright on the Candidate Forum by going to this link:
http://kboo.fm/content/kbooboardofdirectorscandidateforumraoulvanhallsekoyn


Melissa Parsons

I'm a young mother, an attorney and HR professional, a small business owner, and a Portland Native. My love for this city and its people has grown out of a lifetime of living, working, and playing here. KBOO has long been an integral part of my experience, providing a soundtrack, keeping me informed, and affording a space for marginalized voices to be heard. As a sustaining KBOO member and avid listener, I've raised my children on KBOO and I'm pleased to report that I've almost converted my husband from NPR. KBOO’s values are aligned with my own. KBOO provides a voice for the voiceless and tackles the really tough issues that are ignored by the mainstream media. I want to be a part of that.
I have 14 years of management experience, including supervising over 130 employees, managing multiple large-scale projects impacting over 12,000 employees, and managing a $3 million annual budget. In addition, my varied non-profit experience includes community outreach, organizational development, and leadership experience, both as a manager and as a board member. I have a creative and innovative approach to work, school, and life. I meet convention with invention. I'm an idea person. I am ready to accept the responsibilities and the challenges of being a KBOO Board Member and I hope that I can share my expertise and creativity with KBOO!

Hear Melissa Parsons on the Candidate Forum by going to this link:
http://kboo.fm/content/gettoknowyour2014kbooboardofdirectorscandidates


Raoul Van Hall

My 40+ years of broadcasting experience, plus the tertiary experience I have, dovetails well (I think) with ways that I can contribute to KBOO's future. Plus the fact that I've worn essentially every hat in radio, (station manager, operations manager, program director, sales manager, newsperson and announcer) gives me great perspective to look at issues and problem solving from a relatable and empathetic viewpoint.  I also understand what it's like to be a volunteer and what it's like to supervise volunteers in radio.  At OPB, I've also played a key role during pledge drives.

I'm a huge fan of community radio stations like KBOO.  I love the history, the present and the future.  I like the somewhat counter-cultural aspect of KBOO's programming and the unpredictable "you never quite know what to expect" aspect of KBOO's program menu.  The fact that KBOO's operation is so much smaller than OPB's is VERY appealing to me.  While I'm stepping away from working in radio fulltime, I believe I can still contribute a lot.  I've been following happenings at KBOO for the last few years, watching with great interest.  This gives me some perspective as well.  From the outside, I can see and hear the challenges, and also the opportunities. And I understand KBOO's mission.

Let's face it; ALL media are at a crossroads, right here and right now.  KBOO is now competing not only with Portland media, but also with tens of thousands of public, commercial and individual sources worldwide: All competing with KBOO for time and attention.  In the long and colorful history of KBOO, the fight for relevance, viability and survival has already begun.
I can help.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  –Raoul Radio

Hear Raoul Van Hall on the Candidate Forum by going to this link:
http://kboo.fm/content/kbooboardofdirectorscandidateforumraoulvanhallsekoyn


Jessie Sponberg

I could never have imagined having the opportunity to go full circle with this station.
I grew up with KBOO in the 80s. At that time it was my best friend. It was my only source for hip-hop music, and I would escape my terrible home life by retreating to my room and making cassette mix-tapes of this brand new genre which would craft me into the person which I am today.
I grew up with KBOO in the 90s. As a young struggling musician it was my outlet to share my message with the other kids who were using the station as an escape from their terrible lives.
I was filling the role that had once served me so well.
Now, I am the person that KBOO helped create…
and I finally understand it.
It wasn’t an accident that KBOO gave me those opportunities in my life, it was designed for that.
KBOO is meant to be everything for everyone. It is a manifestation of our specific needs.
It gives a voice to the voiceless, and gives a friendship to a lonely ear.
My needs now aren’t much different than they ever were.
I would very much be honored to be given an opportunity to create the same kind of magic for others that was given to me, to reciprocate the love and complete the cycle.
I appreciate the consideration. #onebigteam

Hear Jessie Sponberg on the Candidate Forum by going to this link:
http://kboo.fm/content/kbooboardofdirectorscandidateforumjasonprettyboyandj


Richard L. Koenig - RICHARD KOENIG HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE ELECTION.


Jason Pretty Boy

Since I was a young kid growing up in the wilds of southern Idaho listening to the local station KBAR AM 1230, I have had a love affair with radio. It has always been a part of my life, from listening, to volunteering for community radio, to becoming management for a small community radio station in South Dakota; it has been a love affair. I hope to continue to serve that love affair by serving the listeners of KBOO and the public who love home grown community radio as a board member.

My qualifications include starting in radio as a board operator on the same station I would listen to growing up, though it was a commercial station, in the evening they would switch to a low powered community broadcast until midnight when we would go off the air (in later years they would pick up syndicated programming) I was one of the lucky people to board-op us into sign off. I later became a host on a Native American based radio show on community radio KLND in South Dakota; then progressed to program director, then general manager. I have lived almost every aspect of community radio and feel that I can offer experience and understanding to the board and KBOO members.

I feel that I can also add to the diversity of the board. I am a Lakota tribal member from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. I also bring an open mind and willing heart to the table, in addition to the willingness to learn from this journey in life. As such I practice an open door policy, I try to make myself available for discussion as much as possible, I expect to continue this policy if I am elected to the board of KBOO.

I hope you will consider me as a board member of KBOO. Pilamaya (thank you)

Hear Jason Pretty Boy on the Candidate Forum by going to this link:
http://kboo.fm/content/kbooboardofdirectorscandidateforumjasonprettyboyandj


Jimmy Tardy

Much has happened in these past three years at KBOO. When I came into the station as a new volunteer I had no idea what I was getting into. Now I finally feel ready to contribute to the community I have found here in a new way, as a member of the board of directors. I will forgo promises of allegiance to a specific way of operating or a specific goal that I will pursue as a director, with one exception: growing our audience!

KBOO has so much to offer, and is well-suited for a variety of platforms with which to provide the important content we are regularly producing. When I talk about why I enjoy producing radio, I usually use the phrase "sweet spot". We provide content that gets to the heart of things both locally and on bigger scales, and the process, community, and environment we do it in makes it very powerful. I want to see us grow the numbers of people who regularly make us part of their media habit. We have all of the elements that people seek. It is our privilege and responsibility to grow our audience, and I look forward to seeing that happen.

On a more personal note: KBOO doesn't just serve the community- it is a necessary part of the community, and a community within itself. There are, thankfully, those of us who simply won't go along to get along, who will challenge the powers that be when necessary. KBOO helps keep such a difficult perspective healthy. Being the contrarian can be taxing. To have a group of people that understand why that role is necessary, who understand because they actively take on that role, can make all the difference in the world. I want to support that type of community involvement in any way I can.

Hear Jimmy Tardy on the Candidate Forum by going to this link:
http://kboo.fm/content/kbooboardofdirectorscandidateforumjimmytardyrichardk


Jay Thiemeyer - JAY THIEMEYER HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE ELECTION.