The KAB established the Mike Oatman Award in 2003 to honor the memory of broadcast industry leader Michael C. “Ol Mike” Oatman, Wichita, who died in January 2003. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in Kansas broadcast sales, sales management and mentoring others to sales success over a period of time. It was presented the first year, posthumously to Mike Oatman. According to one KAB Board Member, “Mike Oatman was an incredible broadcaster who touched the lives of almost everyone in Wichita. Mike was an incredible on-air talent, executive, community leader, industry leader, family man, and the hardest working person I have ever met!”
The 2022 Mike Oatman Award will be presented during the KAB Annual Convention during the luncheon session on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
Laura Capps, SummitMedia – Wichita
Laura Capps is an accomplished professional in the broadcast industry. She graduated from Wichita State University with honors in Business Management, Psychology and Communications.
Laura exemplifies the leadership, business development and focus on sales excellence that this awards namesake, Mike Oatman would have been proud of. Laura began her career with SummitMedia stations in 2001 coming from the Occupational Medicine field with no radio experience. She quickly learned the business and was soon among the sales leaders in Wichita. Laura balanced her career while raising 3 young children. Laura is consistently the overall sales leader in her cluster of stations.
She has been awarded numerous awards during her career for sales excellence including recently the SummitMedia Presidents Club Award in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Laura mentors new Account Executives. She has a very creative mind and is always willing to help with ideas and solutions for her teammates. This team first approach has earned her the trust and respect of the entire staff. She has developed years long relationships with many of her clients and is a trusted source for them. Her focus on putting the customer first sets her apart from many in our market.
Laura will tell you she feels privileged to walk the same halls of “The Radio Ranch” that legends have walked through the years. She credits them for their mentorship, as well as her father who taught her humility, integrity, to work hard, put others first and success will follow. Laura says her greatest rewards are her husband, three daughters, family and serving her clients and community.
