Personalities & Staff

Bradley Hughes (V.P. & General Manager) - Brad is responsible for directing the efforts of the WJAG, KEXL and KQKX staff. He was appointed corporate Vice President and general sales manager in 2003, and later, in October 2007, took over general management of the Norfolk and Pierce, NE. radio operations.. Reared in California, Brad "summered" with his grandparents in Nebraska. After doing some initial radio work at KBRX-AM and FM in O'Neill, NE and KKSD-FM Gregory, SD, Brad came to  WJAG, KEXL and KQKX Radio in the summer of 1985. He has served on numerous community and church boards serving as an officer of many; including Behavioral Health Services, Norfolk Area United Way past two time President and board member, Faith Regional Health Services Foundation and Community Advisory Council, Northeast Community College Business Advisory Committee, Norfolk Catholic Spirit Chairman and committee member , past Sacred Heart Parish Council member, Norfolk Arts Center President and Board member, Miss Nebraska USA Committee, National Association of Farm Broadcasters Management Council among others. Brad along with his wife Teri of  23 years have two children, Chase 19 and Guerin 6, can't imagine calling anywhere other than Norfolk home.

Jeffrey Steffen (Director of Broadcast Operations) - Jeffrey has served as the program and operations manager of our stations for the past several years. Jeff is currently the morning show host on LiteRock 97.5. Prior to his role as lead man on LiteRock 97.5 he was host of mornings on NewsTalk WJAG and KEXL's legendary and Marconi Award Winning "Breakfast Call" on  former 106.7 the X since December, 1986. Jeff's magic comes from the fact that he knows his audience and approaches the audience with his professional and personal charm. His professional crowning achievement came in October, 1994. While attending the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Awards presentation, Jeffrey was named "Small Market Personality of the Year." Jeff married his wife Amy on October 13, 1990 in Norfolk at St. Mary's Catholic Church.  They are the parents of five beautiful and rowdy children, two boys and three girls.  Twin boys Landon & Lukas, Andrea, Kassidy, and Audrey Rose. Jeffrey is an avid golfer and the family loves to go camping together in the summertime.  He considers the employees and listeners of the stations his extended family.

Nikki Leigh- Nikki brings her cheerful personality  - Noon-3 on the LiteRock 97.5, Nikki was a Mass Communications/Broadcasting major and graduated May 2007 from Wayne State College. Upon graduation, she made the move to the booming metropolis that is Norfolk. Her family is a pretty big deal for her, as are her friends who live in far away lands. Nikki currently holds the record for the most TPM (texts per minute), and enjoys making foodstuffs of the vegetarian variety. She's not ashamed to admit that having adventures on a rainy day...or sunny...with Harry Potter is one of her favorite pastimes, along with listening to any and all kinds of music whenever the opportunity arises (though what really trips her trigger is simply a guy with an acoustic 6-string). Nikki has yet to occupy her time with kids and/or pets, so she fills in her spare hours by going to the gym, watching Scrubs, and spending quality time with her iPod, Mr. Tuttle. She's a self-proclaimed live show addict--breaking out in cold sweats and shakes if more than 8 weeks pass without catching some sort of live musical performance.

Michael J. Nissen (Music Director) - An acknowledged music junkie, Michael was first drawn to radio at the early age of ten as he would frequently invite friends over to spin records while pretending he was on the air announcing song titles. It became creative satisfaction for the Norfolk, Nebraska native. After high school he quickly became heavily involved in the areas of television, radio and theatre arts at Wayne State College graduating in 2004. Michael is now the PM Drive guy  from 3 - 6 p.m. on LiteRock 97.5

Jim Curry (News Director) - Jim began with WJAG, KQKX and KEXL Radio in February, 1980, serving as news director since August, 1989. Jim has lived most of his life in Norfolk graduating locally from high school and college. He has led a news department that has earned hundreds of awards in Nebraska and several Midwest states. Jim is also member of the Northwest Broadcast News Association Board of Directors.

Susan Risinger (Assistant News Director / Farm Director) - Susan joined the WJAG, KQKX and KEXL staff in 1989, and has been the stations' National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Farm Director Since 1991. In 2007, she received the New Holland Oscar in Agriculture, presented to one NAFB farm broadcaster each year for agricultural broadcast excellence. She has won several Associated Press, Nebraska Broadcast Association and Northwest Broadcast News Association awards for agricultural reporting. Susan has been honored by the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association and the Nebraska Forestry Association, and in 1992, Susan received the Profitable Agriculture through Conservation Technology (PACT) Award, an award presented to a single broadcaster in North America each year for reporting on a conservation issue.

Joe Tjaden - (Sports Director) - Joe reports the sports seven times a day on LiteRock 97.5 & WJAG.  He is the play-by-play announcer of the award winning sports team which he has assembled that covers football and basketball.  He hosts SportsTalk on NewsTalk WJAG 780 AM and 105.9 FM on Saturday mornings from late August through mid-March and has interviewed such notables over the years as Bill Walton, Clyde Drexler, John Havlicek, Joe Theismann, Brian Baldinger, Ivan Maisel, Tom Osborne, Frank Solich, Bill Callahan, Doc Sadler, Dana Altman, John Cook, and many others. Joe grew up in central Iowa and attended Iowa State University in the mid to late '90's. He has worked at a handful of stations before joining LiteRock 97.5, KQKX and WJAG in August of 2000.  Joe has earned various awards from the Nebraska Broadcasters News Association, Northwest Broadcast News Association, and the Nebraska A-P Broadcasters.  Joe's hobbies include spending time in the gym working out & traveling.

Sally Lewis (Director of Sales) - As one of 16 children, Sally learned early on how to think on her feet and be a survivor. A native of Northeast Nebraska, Sally began her career with WJAG,  KEXL and KQKX in 1979 after being "discovered" while giving a speech to the Norfolk Noon Rotary Club. She started out in advertising sales where she continues to serve today as Director of Sales for our Nebraska Stations. She is active in various civic groups including the Women's Division of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, where she served as President in 1993-94. She takes an active role in Sacred Heart-St. Mary's Catholic Church and Sacred Heart School.

Jean Schmeckpeper (Account Executive LiteRock 97.5 FM and WJAG 780 AM and 105.9 FM) - Jean joined the staff of WJAG  & KEXL in September 1989, working part time in the traffic and bookkeeping department and filling in for employees on vacation. In January 1992, she spent some time working as a sales representative while one of the sales people was on leave for a few weeks. Later that year she was asked to split time between her clerical duties and sales. In late 1993, Jean began working in her current position as a fulltime account representative.

Stephanie Hoff (Sales Manager KQKX/Promotions Director)Ever heard of Creston, Nebraska? Well, this is where Stephanie Hoff spent most of her years growing up. Making sure that we got home before the supper whistle blew was the biggest concern of our Mom at that time! Stephanie graduated from Leigh High School and then came to Norfolk in 1996. Shortly after coming to Norfolk, she met her husband and had 2 beautiful children, Lauryn, and Evan. Stephanie is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norfolk, where she teaches Sunday School. She spends time playing volleyball, taking kids to activities, and doing anything outdoors. Stephanie was promoted to Sales Manager of KQKX 106.7 FM in November of 2009.

Marci Pierce (Office Manager/Bookkeeper) - Marci began her career with the stations in 1976 as a member of our clerical staff. Over the years she learned the commercial traffic and bookkeeping systems. She helped the stations make the jump to the computer world in 1983. She continues as a valuable member of our radio team in the capacity of office manager.

Denise Reikofski (Traffic Director) - Denise takes care of our commercial traffic departments for WJAG, KQKX & KEXL. Denise must take each advertising order and process it through our computer traffic system to be certain commercials play for the right client, at the right time and on the right days. Denise joined WJAG, KEXL and KQKX  in 1992.

Leanne Silhacek (Administrative Assistant) - Leanne started at WJAG, KQKX and KEXL part time in 1995, and became full time in 1997. Leanne is most likely the person answering the phone if you call in.. She is involved with the usual office duties and helps with the stations  website updates of Community Calendar and Grain Markets, and also tracks our prize winners. You may even hear her voice on commercial ads.  Leanne originally hails from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, but now considers herself at home in Pierce County