ARIANN ANDERSON
HOST
Hi! I am the new host of the Omaha sound on Omaha’s NPR station, KIOS FM. Airing Saturday nights from 11 PM to 1 AM. I grew up in a musical family and have been in and around the Omaha music scene nearly my whole life and am a musician myself. I have found myself more distanced from the Omaha music community than I would like in recent years because of motherhood, busy schedules, etc. When the opportunity to host The Omaha Sound presented itself, I was nervous but I knew I was equipped. I am not quite as immersed in the Omaha music community as I once was, but I am getting back into the swing of things.
Hi! I am the new host of the Omaha sound on Omaha’s NPR station, KIOS FM. Airing Saturday nights from 11 PM to 1 AM. I grew up in a musical family and have been in and around the Omaha music scene nearly my whole life and am a musician myself. I have found myself more distanced from the Omaha music community than I would like in recent years because of motherhood, busy schedules, etc. When the opportunity to host The Omaha Sound presented itself, I was nervous but I knew I was equipped. I am not quite as immersed in the Omaha music community as I once was, but I am getting back into the swing of things.
COURTNEY BIERMAN
PRODUCER / HOST
Courtney is back in her hometown after graduating from the University of Kansas in 2019 with degrees in journalism and film. While at KU, she was the arts and culture editor of the University Daily Kansan and had a summer internship at KCUR, Kansas City's NPR member station. She has three pet rats and has seen almost every Audrey Hepburn movie.
Courtney is back in her hometown after graduating from the University of Kansas in 2019 with degrees in journalism and film. While at KU, she was the arts and culture editor of the University Daily Kansan and had a summer internship at KCUR, Kansas City's NPR member station. She has three pet rats and has seen almost every Audrey Hepburn movie.
TOPHER BOOTH
MARKETING MANAGER / HOST & PRODUCER
I grew up in a military family. I had the opportunity to move all over the United States as well as to other countries. Maybe it is from that, but I LOVE hearing people's story. I have one of the coolest jobs getting to be a part of sharing others journeys and listening to their experiences.
I grew up in a military family. I had the opportunity to move all over the United States as well as to other countries. Maybe it is from that, but I LOVE hearing people's story. I have one of the coolest jobs getting to be a part of sharing others journeys and listening to their experiences.
CONRAD CASTAÑEDA
HOST
Conrad Castañeda grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and got his start in radio in while attending UNL in Lincoln. He became a volunteer programmer on the Lincoln non-profit community radio station KZUM where he co-hosted a Mexican conjunto & Tejano music program with two fellow UNL students. After a few years he became the sole host of the program and the format evolved to include a wide spectrum of Latin music. After moving to Omaha he wanted to continue being involved with non-profit community based radio and began producing Mundo Latino on KIOS in February of 2016. Mundo Latino explores old and new music from every part of the Latin music world. The musical and cultural lineages of Latin music are a keen interest to Conrad and he enjoys sharing that with you each week on Mundo Latino.
Conrad Castañeda grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and got his start in radio in while attending UNL in Lincoln. He became a volunteer programmer on the Lincoln non-profit community radio station KZUM where he co-hosted a Mexican conjunto & Tejano music program with two fellow UNL students. After a few years he became the sole host of the program and the format evolved to include a wide spectrum of Latin music. After moving to Omaha he wanted to continue being involved with non-profit community based radio and began producing Mundo Latino on KIOS in February of 2016. Mundo Latino explores old and new music from every part of the Latin music world. The musical and cultural lineages of Latin music are a keen interest to Conrad and he enjoys sharing that with you each week on Mundo Latino.
CHRIS COOKE
HOST
Chris Cooke has been a voice on public radio in Omaha since 1989. Working at KVNO-FM during college, Cooke hosted a weekend progressive jazz show on the station in addition to working as an on-air announcer. In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music and presenting those conversations with listeners. When not hosting or listening to jazz, on record or in person, Cooke maintains a busy schedule as a self-employed web design consultant.
Chris Cooke has been a voice on public radio in Omaha since 1989. Working at KVNO-FM during college, Cooke hosted a weekend progressive jazz show on the station in addition to working as an on-air announcer. In November 1992, Cooke signed on at KIOS-FM and has been there ever since. He has hosted the Tuesday and Thursday editions of Jazz in the Afternoon since 1996 and has hosted Last Call since that year. A long time fan of jazz music, Cooke enjoys talking with the musicians who make jazz music and presenting those conversations with listeners. When not hosting or listening to jazz, on record or in person, Cooke maintains a busy schedule as a self-employed web design consultant.
MARIA CORPUZ
HOST
Maria eagerly joined the Riverside Chats team at the end of 2022. Since graduating from Creighton University’s school of Journalism, Media, and Computing, she has been exploring ways to utilize the power of collaborative conversation to improve her community. Born and raised in Omaha, her work spans across multiple platforms in efforts such as grassroots journalism, startups, politics, non-profit partnerships, arts and culture. Corpuz believes that storytelling expands universal empathy and builds connection within the community.
Maria eagerly joined the Riverside Chats team at the end of 2022. Since graduating from Creighton University’s school of Journalism, Media, and Computing, she has been exploring ways to utilize the power of collaborative conversation to improve her community. Born and raised in Omaha, her work spans across multiple platforms in efforts such as grassroots journalism, startups, politics, non-profit partnerships, arts and culture. Corpuz believes that storytelling expands universal empathy and builds connection within the community.
GREG ECHLIN
Sports have an economic and social impact on our community and, as a sports reporter, I go beyond the scores and statistics. I also bring the human element to the sports figures who have a hand in shaping the future of not only their respective teams but our town. Reach me at gregechlin@aol.com.
Ever since setting foot on the baseball diamond at Fernwood Park on Chicago's South Side, I've loved the world of sports. After graduating from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, I worked as a TV sports anchor and a radio sportscaster in Salina, Kansas. I moved to Kansas City in 1984 and have been here covering sports ever since. Through the years, I have covered multiple Super Bowls, Final Fours and Major League Baseball's World Series and All-Star games.
With my high metabolism rate, I'm able to enjoy a good meal and stay slim when I'm not running around on the sports scene. I love desserts, even making them. Cheesecakes, pies and parfaits are the most common around the Echlin household.
Ever since setting foot on the baseball diamond at Fernwood Park on Chicago's South Side, I've loved the world of sports. After graduating from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, I worked as a TV sports anchor and a radio sportscaster in Salina, Kansas. I moved to Kansas City in 1984 and have been here covering sports ever since. Through the years, I have covered multiple Super Bowls, Final Fours and Major League Baseball's World Series and All-Star games.
With my high metabolism rate, I'm able to enjoy a good meal and stay slim when I'm not running around on the sports scene. I love desserts, even making them. Cheesecakes, pies and parfaits are the most common around the Echlin household.
TODD HATTON
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Todd is a recent transplant to the shores of the Missouri, hailing originally from western Kentucky where he got his start in radio almost 30 years ago at WKYX-WKYQ in Paducah. He transitioned to public radio in 1992 as local host of All Things Considered on WKMS before moving to California and Florida.
Todd is a recent transplant to the shores of the Missouri, hailing originally from western Kentucky where he got his start in radio almost 30 years ago at WKYX-WKYQ in Paducah. He transitioned to public radio in 1992 as local host of All Things Considered on WKMS before moving to California and Florida.
MIKE JACOBS
MUSIC DIRECTOR / HOST
Mike Jacobs has been with KIOS since 1988 while attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Mike began his career at KIOS working weekends acting as local host for NPR’s Weekend Edition. He also hosted Morning Edition from 1990-1996. Mike began hosting the weekly blues program “Blues in the Afternoon” in October 1994 and took on the responsibilities of jazz programming and maintaining the music library in 1996. He has held the position of Music Director since 2002. In addition to hosting “Jazz in the Afternoon” on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Mike also helps with assembling music for “Jazz From Studio One” hosted by the advanced radio students at the Omaha Public Schools Career Center. Mike is an Omaha native and graduated from Technical High School in 1984.
Mike Jacobs has been with KIOS since 1988 while attending the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Mike began his career at KIOS working weekends acting as local host for NPR’s Weekend Edition. He also hosted Morning Edition from 1990-1996. Mike began hosting the weekly blues program “Blues in the Afternoon” in October 1994 and took on the responsibilities of jazz programming and maintaining the music library in 1996. He has held the position of Music Director since 2002. In addition to hosting “Jazz in the Afternoon” on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Mike also helps with assembling music for “Jazz From Studio One” hosted by the advanced radio students at the Omaha Public Schools Career Center. Mike is an Omaha native and graduated from Technical High School in 1984.
TOM KNOBLAUCH
HOST
Cultural critic, broadcaster, international award-winning filmmaker, educator, and voiceover artist. Together with Ben Matukewicz, he co-founded Aksarben Creative, a media company and creative collective promoting Midwestern art. He is the creator, executive producer, and one of the hosts of Riverside Chats.
Cultural critic, broadcaster, international award-winning filmmaker, educator, and voiceover artist. Together with Ben Matukewicz, he co-founded Aksarben Creative, a media company and creative collective promoting Midwestern art. He is the creator, executive producer, and one of the hosts of Riverside Chats.
DAVID KOESTERS
HOST
David started in broadcasting at his hometown radio station in Holdrege, Nebraska while still in high school. He went on to earn journalism and law degrees from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and has worked for a number of radio and television stations around the United States. He is a big advocate for community media and loves being a part of the local fabric of NPR. He also has a cat.
David started in broadcasting at his hometown radio station in Holdrege, Nebraska while still in high school. He went on to earn journalism and law degrees from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and has worked for a number of radio and television stations around the United States. He is a big advocate for community media and loves being a part of the local fabric of NPR. He also has a cat.
JOSHUA LABURE
HOST
Joshua LaBure is a documentary filmmaker, radio producer and podcaster based out of Omaha, Nebraska. His experience includes having directed and produced several short films, two narrative features and two documentary features, with his works featured at the Lone Star Film Festival, The Bureau of Creative Works and other filmmaker showcases. His most recent documentary had a sold-out premiere and received a standing ovation at the Benson Theatre. Furthermore, he founded the Denver Filmmakers Collective, which hosted local filmmaker showcases, has served on jury for major film festivals and has hosted countless film screenings.
Joshua LaBure is a documentary filmmaker, radio producer and podcaster based out of Omaha, Nebraska. His experience includes having directed and produced several short films, two narrative features and two documentary features, with his works featured at the Lone Star Film Festival, The Bureau of Creative Works and other filmmaker showcases. His most recent documentary had a sold-out premiere and received a standing ovation at the Benson Theatre. Furthermore, he founded the Denver Filmmakers Collective, which hosted local filmmaker showcases, has served on jury for major film festivals and has hosted countless film screenings.
MICHAEL LYON
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
A native of great Britain who immigrated to Los Angeles in 1981. His business background is in banking: residential real estate operations, mergers and acquisitions. As Director of Fair Lending for the nation's largest thrift, he oversaw the implementation of a $70 million 10-year community reinvestment initiative.
A native of great Britain who immigrated to Los Angeles in 1981. His business background is in banking: residential real estate operations, mergers and acquisitions. As Director of Fair Lending for the nation's largest thrift, he oversaw the implementation of a $70 million 10-year community reinvestment initiative.
BARBARA NAUGHTIN
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
Barb has over twenty years of sales and relationship building experience in both the corporate and nonprofit worlds. In addition to her membership and fundraising skills, she also has experience in nonprofit database management, special event coordination and grant writing.
“I am thrilled to be part of the dynamic team at KIOS. I have been a fan and supporter of KIOS and NPR for a long time and have a great respect for the dedicated on-air talent, volunteers and passionate listeners we have at KIOS and the mission of public radio.”
Barb has over twenty years of sales and relationship building experience in both the corporate and nonprofit worlds. In addition to her membership and fundraising skills, she also has experience in nonprofit database management, special event coordination and grant writing.
“I am thrilled to be part of the dynamic team at KIOS. I have been a fan and supporter of KIOS and NPR for a long time and have a great respect for the dedicated on-air talent, volunteers and passionate listeners we have at KIOS and the mission of public radio.”
DAVE ZORKO
HOST
Dave "The Optimist and Extrovert" Zorko is an Omaha native who's enjoyed food from Omaha and beyond for a long time. He's always on the lookout for new places to try...and to feature on Faturday Omaha! Dave's been known to mention his dislike of mayo and sour cream (although good aiolis and quality mayos may be granted a pass).
Dave "The Optimist and Extrovert" Zorko is an Omaha native who's enjoyed food from Omaha and beyond for a long time. He's always on the lookout for new places to try...and to feature on Faturday Omaha! Dave's been known to mention his dislike of mayo and sour cream (although good aiolis and quality mayos may be granted a pass).