Betty Ries was named executive director of KAFM 88.1 and 96.9 community radio in Grand Junction.

Ries succeeds Cyrene Jagger, who served as executive director for more than four years.

Ries previously served as technical director and operations manager for KAFM. She joined the station in 2016 as operations assistant.

Prior to that, she worked 12 years at Westwood One Radio Network as manager of broadcast information technology and was responsible for maintaining a network and software that delivered programming to 5,000 satellite receivers. She also worked as an IT consultant, designing and building desktop computers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Tami King, vice president of the board of directors of KAFM, hailed the appointment. “We are so fortunate to have someone of Betty’s knowledge and talent ready to step into the executive director position as we celebrate our 25-year anniversary,” King said. “She brings a deep understanding of the station, established relationships in the community and industry and a leadership style that will help KAFM continue to grow and serve the Grand Valley.”

A member-supported community radio station, KAFM 88.1 and 96.9 provides musical, cultural and public service programming. In addition to a blend of musical programming, the station produces weekday broadcasts offering information about community issues and nonprofit organizations. The station also operates the Radio Room, a 75-seat performance and meeting venue at the KAFM facility at 1310 Ute Ave.

For more information about the station and its operations, visit www.kafm.org.