Mike and Kim Burge owners/managers
Mike was born and raised in Valentine and graduated from Valentine High School. Kim was raised on a cattle ranch north east of Onida, in central South Dakota.
Mike started at KVSH as a part-time on-air personality through the Valentine Rural High School Intern Program in 1977. Kim’s first position after college was at KVSH. They advanced their experience at KWAT in Watertown SD. Then they moved to Winner, SD and Mike worked at KWYR. They moved back to Valentine with Mike returning to KVSH in 1982. He returned as news director and on-air personality. Along the way Mike learned play-by-play and engineering work. This added to his list of duties, bringing live high school play by play to the listening area.
Mike and Kim have three children and 4 granddaughters, all living in Valentine.
They enjoy serving and promoting the area with integrity, honesty and a positive attitude.
Ara Vani Johnson On-Air Personality
Birk Burge- On-air Personality
Birk started part time in October 2022, going full time in August of 2023.
Birk came to KVSH with a varied background of work experience. His previous experiences enrich his on-air and production sound. Birk has also added play-by-play to his roster of skills. He enjoys bringing football and basketball games, live, to our listeners.
Hanna Barker- Office Manager
Hanna started at KVSH in July of 2022 as the office manager. As time has gone by, Hanna has shown an incredible ability to adapt to the constantly changing workload. She is the first person you usually come in contact with, so make sure to tell her hi.
Jack Liddy- On Air Personality
As a part-time on-air announcer, Jack has proven to be a dedicated team member, even developing his signature program, A Fifth of Jack to add to his programing.
Rhondelle Emery- On-Air Personality
Rhondelle has many talents and a strong background in radio, both on-air and behind the scene. Her professional on-air sound enriches your listening experience. Make sure to listen to Rhondelle for that “radio” sound.
Roman Dillon- On-Air Personality
Roman came to KVSH for his first work experience. He attends Valentine Rural High School. He is on air part-time- working evenings, weekends and holidays to carry on the “Live & Local” sound of KVSH
Stacey Adamson- Sales/Marketing
Sometimes you get lucky, and that is what happened when we hired Sydney Adamson as our Sales/Marking Manager. But good luck can strike twice. In sharing her duties, with her mom, Stacey, Stacey decided this sounds like something she would like to do.
So she did. Stacey is Sydney’s counterpart for Sales/Marketing now. Bonus for KVSH! Stacey and her husband, Todd ranch on the family place southwest of Valentine. Stacey already has retired from one successful career, as a teacher. We are excited with all the creativity and energy she brings to work. One example that shows how she shines, Stacey has brought the SANDHILLS STORIES to life. And we know she is just getting warmed up.
Sydney Adamson- Sales/Marketing Manager
Sydney joined the KVSH team in the fall of 2023. Sydney already fills her time and adds her expertise at her family owned ranch southwest of Valentine. So when given the opportunity to expand her skill set, no could have been an easy answer.
Instead, Sydney said yes and took up the challenge of becoming a Marketing/Sales Director. Everything about working in radio was new to Sydney. She has shown incredible strength in character as she develops a different relationship with many she has known growing up.
Titus Maunu – Intern
Titus came to KVSH in the Fall of 2024 as an intern through the intern program hosted by Valentine Community Schools. He is our first intern in many years and it has been a benefit to us to have him on our team. He has helped bring the connection to Alexa, making it more convenient for so many listeners to stay connected. He is also the voice of Community Calendar. Titus graduates in May so he will be moving on. We wish him the best of luck and hope KVSH will hold a special place in his high school memories. He certainly will be remembered and missed at KVSH.
Tryston Gaver- On-Air Personality
Making KVSH his high school job has worked out well for Tryston. We appreciate him and his positive approach to life as one of our part-time on air announcers. Tryston started with KVSH as a freshman and will be wrapping up his radio career this fall, as he graduates in May and moves off to college in August. We say thank you so much for all the work you have done, the shifts you have filled in last minute. Good luck and blessings as you move into the next phase of your life.
Zachary Dean- News Director, On-Air Personality
Zach has worked for many years at KVSH. Zach is a bit of a “utility player” for Heart City Radio, broadcasting afternoons, and serving in other capacities, including sales and some engineering, and recently being given the title of “news director.”
Nellie,
Nellie joined our ambassador team in 2024.
A little shy at the start, Opie soon coached her past that. Nellie began greeting visitors, seeing them not as people she didn’t know, but rather friends she just hadn’t met yet.
Nelly continues her volunteer duties with a gentleness that is appreciated.
While Nellie often still lets Opie lead the way in greeting guests, she is right behind him with her kind eyes and welcoming spirit.
We appreciate how are you have grown and become a strong KVSH ambassador.
Opie
Goodbye, dear friend.
Opie. February 21, 2017- March 8, 2025
Thank you for being you. Your unconditional love and kindness will always be remembered. Your presence forever missed.
Your beautiful wagging tail and eager welcoming nature make you an obvious choice as our first ambassador, our greeter.
Even when everyone else is occupied, your priority is always welcoming those who enter our door. Telling them their presence is important. To please wait until someone can help you and in the meantime feel free to pet me. Take a minute to catch your breath and enjoy the moment.
We appreciate your customer service skills, your dedication- coming to work each day with a smile and a wagging tail.