Val Steele: Free Agent
• This week it was announced that Marquee Broadcasting, which owns television stations in multiple markets has agreed to purchase five Bicoastal Media stations serving the Medford area in Southern Oregon, creating a TV/radio combo.
Now, the other shoe has dropped, as RAMP has learned that Val Steele, a fixture in the company’s Eugene HQ for the past 31 years, and the 2019 Oregon Association of Broadcasting (OAB) Broadcaster of the Year, has left the company, as her position as PD/afternoon talent for KFLY (US 101 Country) and Operations Manager for Top 40 KDUK/Eugene has been eliminated.
Amazingly, this had been Steele’s first radio job. She got her foot in the door in 1994 — with zero radio experience — as a weekend overnight air talent (as seen below), and worked her way up to the top of the ladder.
“I was named Promotions Director in 1996; Music Director in 1998, and was named Program Director of KDUK in 2001 when we were owned by Clear Channel,” Steele tells RAMP. “In 2017 I helped Bicoastal bring US 101 on the air and became Operation Manager over the two stations. In July 2020 I segued to Program Director and afternoon talent for US 101 and OM for KDUK — those positions I held until Friday of last week.”
Looking back on the past three decades, Steele said, “I met my husband, got married, had a child and just celebrated his High School graduation all during that time — what a gift to share that all on air.”
In closing, Steele remarked, “While I’m certainly sad to see this chapter end in such a way, I remain deeply grateful for the work I’ve been able to do and for the listeners and community that I love so much. Radio has always been about connection, and I’m committed to continuing that in whatever comes next. Looking ahead to to new opportunities.”
Interested potential employers can easily reach Steele at 541-554-4351 or valsteeleradio@gmail.com.
