The KAB is thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s Kansas Association of Broadcasters individual awards! These outstanding professionals have demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication, and passion in their fields. From excelling in broadcast sales to making a lasting impact in their communities and stations, and shining as rising stars, our winners truly represent the best of Kansas broadcasting. Join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements at the KAB Convention, October 21 in Wichita.
Mike Oatman Award for Sales Excellence – Penny Coy
Penny Coy is an Account Executive with the KGGF Radio Group’s four stations for five years, with over 40 years of advertising sales experience.
Penny has consistently been KGGF Radio Group’s top salesperson, a testament to her dedication and expertise. Her approach with clients embodies professionalism, fostering lasting relationships that not only retain advertisers but often increase their engagement with our stations. Penny is known to be instrumental in guiding their sales team, cultivating new business opportunities, and sharing her knowledge. Beyond her outstanding sales achievements, Penny serves as a mentor to their staff, particularly to newcomers.
Penny’s commitment extends beyond the studio walls, as she actively engages with and contributes to her community through volunteering and leadership roles, earning widespread respect and admiration
Rising Star Radio Award – Brandon Napier
Brandon Napier is the Vice President & Chief Operations Officer for Ad Astra Radio, and an invaluable asset to the team, helping to integrate all of Ad Astra’s new stations over the past few years and upgrade and update all the technology associated with it. Known to be the ultimate team player and jack of all trades, Brandon is relentless in trying to improve operations.
Before working with Ad Astra, Brandon worked for 14 years at Verizon. In early 2022, he decided to leave the corporate world behind and work for a family business and was eager to get back into local broadcasting.
Two important people in Brandon’s life that have heavily influenced him in the radio industry have been his father, Vernon Napier, who passed away in 2014 and his brother Aaron Napier, who is Ad Astra’s Vice President & Chief Programming Officer.
Vernon was at KLEY KWME for around 25 years. Brandon helped with a lot there, including running the board for KU, Royals, and Wichita Wranglers and did traffic for the stations for many years. At the age of 14, Brandon often covered for his dad with news and operations when he was on vacation. Brandon credits Aaron with getting him back into broadcasting.
Brandon met his wife Danielle at Campus High School in 2005 and later married in 2008. They have a son and a daughter together.
Rising Star TV Award – Hannah King
Hannah King joined KAKE News in September of 2021 as a general assignment reporter and MMJ, before she quickly moved her way up the news ladder and earned a seat at the anchor desk. She’s anchored both mornings during the week and weekends at KAKE for the last several years.
Outside of her time on the desk, Hannah has been a fervent and fearless leader in assisting unsolved crime investigations in KAKEland. From cold cases, to missing persons, and homicide investigations, Hannah found her passion for telling stories of those whose names and stories haven’t been heard in decades, in hopes answers and justice will come. Cases have been solved and arrests have been made with Hannah’s assistance in unsolved Kansas crime.
She’s worked for ABC-affiliates in Central Texas and West Tennessee prior to making her mark in Wichita Kansas. Hannah is a graduate of Campbell University in North Carolina.
She is married to a professional baseball player and together they share a one-year-old daughter.
Sonny Slater Award for Service to Community and Station – Dave Grant
Dave Grant is the Assistant News Director at KAKE in Wichita. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalism. While at KU, Dave also worked at WREN in Topeka, along with KJHK and Sunflower Cablevision in Lawrence.
His next stop would take him to KAYS AM & TV in Hays. After 14 months in Hays, it was off to Wichita. Dave has spent nearly 40 years in Wichita, working first at KWCH, then moving over to KAKE.
Dave has served as News Director, Executive Producer, and his current position as Assistant News Director at KAKE. Dave helps guide younger staff members develop their daily assignments. He also oversees KAKE’s internship program, fostering the next generation of newsroom talent. Dave is known to always be a helping hand in the operations of the station, wherever he is needed without hesitation.
In 2023, Dave was inducted into National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Emmy Silver Circle. Throughout his career, Dave has been honored with numerous accolades, including five Heartland Regional Emmy awards
Dave is a pillar in his community through leadership roles, including as a Boy Scout & Cub Scout leader, YMCA of Greater Wichita board of directors, President of the Valley Center Swim Club and the Wichita Heights booster club, a youth sports coach and a USA swimming official. Dave and his wife Rachael have also served as host parents for foreign exchange students.