Bay Area Radio Pros

My story starts in the Bay Area, goes to Texas, California’s Central Coast, and returns to the Bay Area. Educational radio is significant in this Journey:
– Junior HS, KYHS Ygnacio Valley HS Walnut Creek DJ.
– Senior HS, KHOM Monterey HS Lubbock Tx, PD & DJ.
– KSEL AM/FM/TV(ABC affiliate) Lubbock Tx, DJ.
– Attended SFSU and graduated with BA in Radio & Television. DJ & PD at KSJS at college. During the summers I returned to Lubbock to produce and DJ at KSEL.

After college was Production Director & DJ at KZOZ FM San Luis Obispo CA. 2 Years later became Production Director and DJ at KTIM AM & FM San Rafael. Became Production Director/Announcer at KBLX AM(KRE) & FM lasting 27 years. 

In 1998 was hired by SJSU/RTVF Dept. Chair MIKE ADAMS to develop and teach a class on Pro Tools in conjunction with the college radio station KSJS. This developed into a part time teaching career that included De Anza and Ohlone Community Colleges(KOHL FM) and Ex’pression Colleges teaching Radio, Television, and Film Sound production and media theory classes. 2014, MA Theatre Arts SJSU, thesis: The role of Radio in the emerging Digital Age.

Joel is married to SJSU sweetheart Karen Rosenkrantz (Karen Dark) DJ & Program coordinator KBLX/KRE 1980-84

I worked an internship into a full time job at K-101. I started my career in this big market in my early 20’s and worked mostly out of the City Hall press room. I went on to anchor in morning drive. It was a fascinating time. I covered the AIDS epidemic, the assassinations of Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone and the Patty Hearst trial…

I moved to Denver and spent 35 years at KOA and iHeart talk stations in the Denver. I’ve been a News Director, Pd and News Anchor and Reporter. I’m a member of the Denver Press Club Hall of fame. I love Denver but my best radio stories come from my SF days.

I’ve always been a “radio addict” since childhood. I enrolled at San Francisco State mid-year and was waitlisted for the Nursing program, so I took a Fundamentals of Broadcasting class. Afterward, the professor and TA sat me down and said, “You should really change your major—plus, the industry needs more women.”

Although the Broadcast and Communication Arts (BCA) department had a long waitlist, they fast-tracked my major change. I earned my B.A. while also taking night classes to obtain my First Class FCC license.

At my first station, I became both the first female DJ and Program Director. From there, I was hired at KYA in San Francisco and went on to work at K-101, KEEN, Double 99 FM, KKIS, KYCY, and KRAZ(Y). Along the way, I did TV and commercial work and served on the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors for a decade.

I later took over the KVHS Radio program for high school and young adult students—until the school transitioned to a charter model. I also contributed to the books Creating Powerful Radio and Beyond Powerful Radio, and authored the instructor manuals for both. These are used in professional radio training and college broadcasting programs across the U.S. and internationally.

While at KVHS, the Program Director of KAT Country 103 offered me a show, and later the PD at KJOY brought me on full-time. In 2016, KAT Country had another opening, and I’ve been there ever since.

I programmed KOIT from 2011-2013, thoroughly revamping the brand and returning the station to a ratings leadership position in San Francisco. Led a talented staff of market veterans including Jack Kulp and Teri King. Instituted a disciplined, PPM-oriented music approach based on incisive market research and comprehensive television and direct mail campaigns. These drove sustained audience increases in key advertising demos. By 2013, KOIT had risen to #1 Adults in the Bay Area, establishing the foundation for continued ratings dominance in the years that followed.

In addition, I led turnarounds at other major AC outlets including KOSI/Denver and WLYF/Miami, along with Classic Hits WMXJ/Miami which achieved the best ratings in its history during my tenure. My career also included successful stops in New Orleans, San Antonio, and Raleigh.