Lauren Colucci, General Manager
Before joining KCPW, Lauren worked on communication campaigns and websites, designed institutional and financial assessments, and carried out research and documentation for organizations on both coasts, in the south, and in South America on issues ranging from the arts to conservation to diplomacy. After a stint at Rutgers University, Lauren first landed in Salt Lake to attend the University of Utah and study journalism. She holds a B.S. in Mass Communication. Passionate about long-form and local reporting, Lauren is glad to be contributing to an organization that preserves independent voices and promotes public dialogue and understanding. E-mail her in English or Spanish at lcolucci@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com.
Jesse Ellis, Operations and Program Director
Jesse is currently the Operations Director at KCPW. This Louisiana native moved west to attend the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe, AZ. After graduation, he took a position in a high-end recording studio in Los Angeles and has been recording in and out of the studio ever since then. Now that Jesse has moved to Salt Lake, in addition to KCPW, he has been working with several local bands, as well as playing in a few. Jesse has been with KCPW since 2007. You can e-mail him at jellis@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com.
Jesse Fruhwirth, Membership Coordinator
Jesse Fruhwirth is a journalist who has reported at multiple news outlets in the Wasatch Front including Salt Lake City Weekly and KRCL’s RadioActive. With degrees in philosophy and journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he has also worked as a community organizer, activist and campaigner. Years of reporting on commonplace catastrophes made him unusually safety-conscious and data-driven, so car crashes are his greatest phobia but he’s got no problem with spiders, heights and public speaking. He feels blessed to live on the boundary between two of the Earth’s most sublime bioregions, the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin, and when he’s not at work he’s often out there contemplating the nature of things. Jesse’s email is jfruhwirth@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com, and his office line is 801-359-5279 ext. 211.
Randin Graves, Development & Outreach
San Diego native Randin Graves came to Utah in 2009 via Yirrkala, a remote Aboriginal township in northern Australia. He moved there in 2004 as part of a Fulbright Fellowship and M.A. project on the globalization of the didgeridoo and then found himself assistant coordinator of Buku-Larrnggay Mulka, one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit, community-owned Aboriginal art centres. Since returning to the USA, Randin has worn many hats – from musician to composer to fundraiser to digital media manager. Now he brings his diverse background in non-profits, community-owned enterprise, the arts, storytelling through digital media and cross-cultural collaboration to a new role as Outreach Coordinator at KCPW. Randin looks forward to getting more involved in the Salt Lake community and supporting the public radio mission of sharing local and international voices. He can be reached at: rgraves@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com.
Roger McDonough, Producer, News Host
Roger has an M.A. in Public Policy and Development Management from Georgetown University, a parallel degree from the Universidad Nacional de San Martín (Argentina), and a B.A. in English from the University of Utah. A practiced freelance print and radio journalist and Salt Lake City native, Roger provides local news weekday afternoons and hosts Behind the Headlines. He previously contributed to KCPW with an award-winning local history segment that was developed in partnership with the Salt Lake City Public Library, where he worked for nine years. Roger says he is drawn to public radio because he’s an auditory learner, and calls radio “the best medium in the world.” E-mail him in English or Spanish at rmcdonough@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com.
Tim Pierce, Social Media Coordinator, Producer
Tim hails from the great state of Montana, where he covered state politics and elections while he was earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at the University of Montana. Most recently, he produced daily radio and print coverage of the 2019 Montana Legislature for over 200 statewide publications. Most of his audience lived in rural Montana, which gave him a focus and ear for local issues and interest. He also has an unfettered passion for public media, which sparked during his time as a music director for his college radio station, KBGA. Tim is taking his experience in journalism and radio to Salt Lake City, bringing fresh eyes and voice to KCPW. He’s excited to explore the gorgeous lands of Utah and see how they compare to the Big Sky Country. Email him at tpierce@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com.
Anthony Scoma, Host, Producer
Anthony is the producer of Both Sides of the Aisle and host of The Hinckley Institute Radio Hour. He is a 2019 graduate of the University of Utah with degrees in communication and political science. He grew up in Mapleton, Utah, and has called the Beehive state home for the last decade and a half. He first came to KCPW in the summer of 2016 and has since worked as an intern, journalist, producer, and radio host for stations across Salt Lake County. He has a passion for local radio, politics, environmentalism, and building community. Anthony can be reached at ascoma@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com.
Toni Tietjen, Development & Outreach
A Salt Lake City native, Toni lived in Manhattan, Japan, England, and Italy – before Utah drew her back home. She comes to KCPW having spent years in sales and with corporate experience at CBS Television. She has a degree in political science from Sarah Lawrence College. An avid traveler, Toni says that whether she was in India or at home with her twins, public radio was there to keep her “informed and sane,” and she’s passionate about supporting its important mission. She maintains that “Salt Lake City is the best kept secret in the country” and is dedicated to making it an even better place to live. Email Toni at ttietjen@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com.
Steve Williams, Jazz Host
Steve has a lifelong love of jazz. His father was a horn player in New York, performing with American jazz legends Charlie Parker, Gene Krupa and Joe Venuti, among others. A 35-year veteran of public radio, Williams is a champion of the local jazz scene and a legend in his own right – having interviewed the likes of Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, and Lionel Hampton, and emceeing jazz festivals around the United States. Tune in every Sunday evening from 6pm to 10pm for Jazz Time with Steve Williams. You can e-mail him at swilliams@kcpw-development.mystagingwebsite.com.