Congratulations, Neil and crew!
Nine Northwest Iowa radio stations, as well as their Internet websites, will be operating under new ownership when 2010 arrives. This according to a joint announcement from current operators and the new company who will own and operate the stations.
Radio stations KUOO-Spirit Lake, KUQQ-Milford/Spirit Lake, KUYY-Emmetsburg/Spencer, KAYL-AM & KAYL-FM-Storm Lake, KKIA-Ida Grove/Storm Lake, KSOU AM & KSOU FM-Sioux Center, and KIHK-Rock Valley/Sioux Center will be owned and operated by Community First Broadcasting. Mary Quass, CEO of NRG Media, LLC states the stations will be transferred to Community First Broadcasting, a new company with veteran leadership in radio broadcasting and local small market radio service.” We are delighted to transfer these great radio stations to Community First, another broadcasting group that understand the importance of providing service to our communities ,” said Mary Quass. NRG Media has operated the radio stations for the past five years and will transfer the assets to Community First on December 31, 2009.
Neil Lipetzky, Community First Broadcasting CEO, also operates Dakota Broadcasting radio stations KMOM-FM, KABD-FM, and www.dakotabroadcasting.com in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Formed in 2007, the stations have been recognized by the Aberdeen business community with Aberdeen’s “Abby” award for the stations’ involvement and assistance with local events, news, and charities. In 2009 they were the recipient of the “Media Mark of Excellence” award by the American Cancer Society. In September 2009, Lipetzky was named “Broadcaster of the Year” by the South Dakota Broadcasters Association. Lipetzky has been involved in radio station sales and management in Sioux Falls and Yankton South Dakota as well as Norfolk and Wayne Nebraska. He and his wife Terri will be active in the Community First markets.
In looking at the future of Community First Broadcasting stations, Lipetzky said “We look forward to working with the staff of these stations in serving the communities of northwest Iowa”.