In our continued efforts to improve as not only a radio station but as a valuable community organization that is an asset to the Chippewa Valley and surrounding areas in regards to both art and commerce we have formed a Community Advisory Board to help us plan, adapt, become financially self-sustaining, to grow and network. Below you will find more information on the infrastructure, goals, and membership of our new Community Advisory Board:
About
Our Community Advisory Board guides us in expanding the base of Blugold Radio advocates and fans and to ensure that Blugold Radio is exceeding the expectations of its listeners and constituents.
Board members assist in sustaining and building upon Blugold Radio’s community goodwill and share their areas of expertise that may be of great benefit to Blugold Radio and its student employees and volunteers.
They also seek community feedback on programming and ideas on how we can improve in offering a valuable product that meets the needs of the community.
Meetings
The Community Advisory Board meets four times year – in February, May, August and November. Meetings are open to the public and will be published on this page.
Specific Responsibilities
- Advice in programming and strategic planning for Blugold Radio
- Assistance in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting private sponsorship sources that will benefit Blugold Radio through underwriting and/or specific program sponsorship
- Serve as ambassador for Blugold Radio
Members
Mark Alfuth SVP & CFO – American Public Media Group/Minnesota Public Radio
Mark Alfuth is currently a business instructor at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Mark spent 13 years as CFO of American Public Media/Minnesota Public Radio and 15 years in various roles with American Express. Mark has a BS from UW Eau Claire and an MBA from the University of Minnesota.
Jason Anderson Assistant Director of Conferences and Event Production -University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Jason received a BFA in Technical Theatre and Design in 2002 and a MFA in Lighting Design in 2005. He has over a decade of professional large event, concert, industrial, conference management experience. This experience ranges from small daily meetings to some of the world’s largest music festivals and concerts around the globe. Jason is directly responsible for the Audio Visual Production Specialists and Event Production Crew, of The University Centers–including Davies Center, Schofield Auditorium, Zorn Arena, Hilltop Center, Crest Wellness Center and other performance venues on and off campus.
Jerrika Christianson Independent Musician
Jerrika has been playing music around the Chippewa Valley for over 10 years, first with her band QuinnElizabeth and most recently with her solo project Jerrika Mighelle. When she is not playing music you can find her managing the downtown coffeeshop ECDC.
Eric Christenson Managing Editor -Volume One Magazine
Eric Christenson is a musician, comedian and writer in Eau Claire, Wis. He’s a managing editor of Volume One magazine where he writes about local music, arts and culture. He performs electronic pop music with Sniffle Party and his solo project Two Castles, and performs standup comedy as part of a local collective of comics, Clear Water Comedy. He still makes mix CDs, goes hard on bags of Cheetos, and tries to keep it 100 on the daily.
Julian Emerson News Editor – Eau Claire Press Co
Julian Emerson has worked for the past two decades as a reporter and editor at the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram newspaper. The father of two grown daughters, he also teaches and advises UW-Eau Claire journalism students.
Thom Fountain Strategy Director – Draft Design House
Thom Fountain has reported on Eau Claire on and off for the last eight years with Volume One, Blugold Radio, and The Spectator.
Caleb Gerdes Account Coordinator – Great Northern Corporation
My wife and I are expecting our first baby girl! I live in Chippewa Falls, work for Great Northern Corporation. I am an Ultimate Frisbee enthusiast, a writer, and find music to be essential to bolstering creativity and activity.
Benny Haas Owner – The Plus
Kyran Hamill Communications and Promotions Coordinator – Downtown Eau Claire, Inc.
Kyran is a 2002 graduate of UW-Eau Claire and has called Eau Claire his home since 2005. In addition to his work for Downtown Eau Claire, Inc., Kyran also serves on the boards of the UW-Eau Claire Alumni Association and Eau Claire Jazz, Inc.
Louise Hinz Owner – Dwarfcraft Devices
Louise Hinz was born and raised in Eau Claire and has been a part of the music scene in one way or another since she was 12. She owns a business with her husband, Ben, where they make guitar pedals, synthesizers, and other crazy music gear.
Brianna Hotchkiss Production Manager – Eau Claire Regional Arts Center
Brianna was trained in production and technical theatre at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She toured with Sesame Street Live in 2006, and worked as the lighting designer and technical jack-of-all-trades for the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre from 2007-2011. When not working on productions, she can usually be found reading, watching, or listening to things most people consider nerdy.
Ed Hudgins Operations Auditor – Harken Health
Follower of Jesus, husband to Charlotte, daddy to Joshua. Founder of Tomme Suab and contributor to Volume One. Loves Eau Claire and music with additional affinities for Vietnamese spring rolls, Legos, and the WWE Network.
Jack Kapfer Associate Professor Communication & Journalism – UW Eau Claire
Lance Katcher Owner – Midwest Mayhem LLC
Owner of Midwest Mayhem LLC, a local business focused on local music booking and promotion. Dedicated father of two.
Brent Kuetchenmeister Music Producer
Brent has been active member of the area music scene for years. He served as a DJ and Music director for WUEC from 91-94 before it was taken over by WPR.
Ben Lawton Programmer Analyst – Cray Inc.
I am originally come from Los Angeles, and have been in Western Wisconsin 18 years. I have work with the 48 hour film group in the past. Community radio is very important to have an informed populace, I look forward in assisting in that end.
Rob Matthison IS Technical Services Senior – UW Eau Claire
Currently I’m the videographer for LTS at UWEC, previously I was the Program Manager/Volunteer coordinator for Community TV (Eau Claire). I’m also a current Youtube video creator with 2 current programs. ( Monster Model Review and Game Geeks RPG. I’ve lived in the area all my life, been on Altoona City Council and many boards in the area.
Evan Middlesworth Producer | Engineer | Multi-Instrumentalist | Owner – Pine Hollow Audio
Music and all the avenues within is what I do.
Mike Rindo Assistant Chancellor – UW Eau Claire
Mike Rindo is assistant chancellor for Facilities and University Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Prior to joining the university, he worked in television news and station management in Eau Claire, Rochester, New York and Kalamazoo, Michigan for nearly 25 years.
Hannah Walsh Financial Representative – Blue Sky Financial Associates of Thrivent Financial
Justin Webb Owner – Midwest Tattoo