SEMINAR
Seminar Speakers
Learn more about this year’s influential speakers for the Annual Student Broadcast and Sports Seminar. Speakers are sorted by session name, beginning with student sessions then professional.
Keynote
Dani Welniak is the Vice President of Communications for the Kansas City Current of the NWSL, joining the organization in 2022. Prior to that, she spent six years as Sports Director at KCTV5 in Kansas City, where she also hosted the Locker Room Show and served as a sideline analyst for the Chiefs Radio Network. Dani began her career covering high school sports in Dodge City before moving to Wichita and then Kansas City, where she quickly rose to leadership roles in sports media. In 2019, she made history as part of the first all-female radio crew to call a Division I college football bowl game. A former professional football player and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, Dani brings a unique perspective on sports, storytelling, and leadership in today’s media landscape.
Broadcasting’s Backbone: Careers Behind the Scenes
Brian Johnson has spent over 20 years in sports media and sponsorship, holding leadership roles with 610 Sports, the Chiefs Radio Network, and the Royals Radio Network, and was the top revenue producer during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. He founded Vision Sports and PrepsKC, Kansas City’s leading high school sports media and sponsorship platforms, before launching Sponsorship Focus in 2015. With expertise in sales, activation, and brand maximization, Brian helps companies navigate sponsorship challenges and deliver real value.
Ronnie Hawkins is an Executive Producer at KCTV5. He has 12 years of experience working behind the camera and has helped cover some of the biggest news stories in Kansas City, Sioux Falls, and Omaha. Along the way, he’s won regional Murrow awards, an Emmy, and a First Place plaque from KAB for Best Newscast. Ronnie’s favorite moment of his career so far was boothing postgame coverage as Kansas City celebrated the Chiefs first Super Bowl win in 50 years!
Jay Nix is a seasoned broadcast engineering leader with decades of experience in station operations and technical innovation. He began his career at KSNT-NBC in Topeka before leading engineering teams at KMTV-CBS Omaha, WOWT-NBC Omaha, and KSHB/KMCI. Nix has overseen major projects, including HDTV migrations, FCC Re-Pack initiatives, and the development of advanced broadcast infrastructure. Now serving as Director of Engineering for KSHB/KMCI and Engineering & Strategy Director for Scripps’ 47-station group, he continues to shape the future of broadcast technology.
Liz Montijo is a creative services leader with extensive experience in broadcast marketing and brand strategy. She currently serves as Regional Creative Services Director for Nexstar Media at WDAF-TV FOX4 in Kansas City, where she leads multi-platform campaigns that grow audience engagement and strengthen the station’s brand. Montijo has held leadership roles at WGAL-TV in Pennsylvania and has driven audience growth through innovative, award-winning marketing initiatives. With a background in writing, producing, and editing, she continues to shape how stations connect with viewers across broadcast and digital platforms.
Podcasting That Stands Out: Breaking Through the Noise
BJ Kissel is the Founder and CEO of KC Sports Network – a digital media podcast network covering Kansas City sports that launched in May 2021. KC Sports Network has accumulated more than 10 million downloads and 250,000 social media followers since their inception, and they’ve been the highest-ranked Chiefs Podcast Network each year since 2021. Prior to launching KCSN, Kissel had spent the previous 12 years covering the Chiefs across multiple platforms through written, audio and video content. After stops at both SB Nation (2009-12) and Bleacher Report (2013), Kissel spent six years working in the Chiefs Digital Media department as their team reporter (2014-20). Kissel is from Stilwell, KS and graduated from Kansas State University in 2006.
Marleah Campbell is an Emmy-winning sports journalist and Sports Director at KCTV5 in Kansas City, where she has been covering local and national sports since 2022. A Lenexa native, she began her career at WIBW in Topeka, earning multiple honors from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. Campbell played Division I basketball at the University of Wyoming and is a strong advocate for equity in sports, producing impactful storytelling including her award-winning “IX at 50” series. She also contributes to Chiefs coverage on multiple Kansas City radio stations, bringing insight and energy across broadcast platforms.
Preparation to Performance: Play-by-Play Fundamentals
Brian Hanni is in his tenth season as the “Voice of the Jayhawks”, broadcasting men’s basketball, football and baseball games for his alma mater. A 2002 graduate from the University of Kansas, Hanni held several roles at KU prior to earning his “dream job” in the summer of 2016. For ten years, Hanni was the Sports Director at 1320 KLWN in Lawrence – the Jayhawks’ flagship station. At KLWN, Hanni created “Rock Chalk Sports Talk” which eventually picked up state-wide network syndication. During those ten years, Hanni also broadcast KU women’s basketball and baseball while serving as the understudy to then KU-Voice, Bob Davis, on men’s basketball broadcasts.
In 2012, Hanni left the Sunflower State in an effort to bolster his resume as the “Voice the Red Raiders” at Texas Tech. While at Tech he had a chance to call two trips to the College World Series and an NCAA tournament run in hoops as well.
Jake Eisenberg enters his fourth season with the Royals broadcast team, primarily calling games on the Royals Radio Network alongside Denny Matthews and Steve Stewart. Previously the voice of the Omaha Storm Chasers, he made his MLB debut in 2022 with the New York Mets before joining the Royals full-time in 2023 as the youngest play-by-play broadcaster in Major League Baseball.
Prior to joining the Royals, Eisenberg spent five seasons broadcasting Minor League Baseball, including stops with Triple-A Omaha (Royals), Double-A Richmond (Giants) in 2019, High-A Winston-Salem (White Sox) in 2018, and Short-Season Brooklyn (Mets) in 2017. He was also part of the radio broadcast team for the Eastern League All-Star Game in 2019.
Wyatt Thompson serves as the anchor of the K-State Sports Network and returns for his 24th season behind the mic as “Voice of the Wildcats.” The four-time Kansas Sportscaster of the Year and Kansas Broadcasting Hall of Famer, play-by-play announcer is the Senior Director of Broadcasting for the K-State Athletic Department. He serves as host of the K-State football and basketball coaches’ shows on television and radio.
Thompson came to K-State from Colorado State, where he was the play-by-play voice for the Rams for five years. In addition to his duties at CSU, he was also a sports reporter for Clear Channel Denver, the “Countdown to Kickoff” host for the Denver Broncos on KOA Radio and hosted the “Zone Sports Insiders” show on 760 The Zone in Denver. Thompson started his broadcasting career in 1976 as a sportscaster for various high schools, colleges and universities in Kansas, spending time at stations in Hays and Goodland.
Breaking Into Broadcasting: What Employers Really Want
Jesse Fray is the news director for KSNT, KTMJ, and KTKA—the NBC, FOX, and ABC affiliates in Topeka—a role he has held for eight years. A Wichita native, Jesse began his broadcasting career at KAKE, the ABC affiliate in Wichita. Before his current position, he served as senior executive producer at KCTV, the CBS affiliate in Kansas City.
Roxanne Marati is a seasoned radio executive with over 20 years of experience and is Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Audacy Kansas City. Before her move to Kansas City in 2021, Roxanne served as Vice President of Sales for Audacy Denver. She joined Audacy (then Entercom) in 2006, and has held roles overseeing New Business Development, Integrated Media and Events. Roxanne is currently on the KAB Board of Directors.
Justin Fluke is the president and owner of Many Signals Communications, a local six-station cluster in Northeast Kansas. Justin is the Chairman of the KAB Board of Directors. Justin’s radio career officially started as a volunteer on Christian station KREJ, where he was born and raised in Medicine Lodge, KS, and hosted a Sunday show through high school. While getting his broadcasting degree at Fort Hays State, he worked for Eagle Radio before accepting a job with KNZA Radio group in Hiawatha in 2001. Originally hired as the Sports Director, Fluke joined the sales world in 2006, then was promoted to the management team as vice-president in 2015 before joining the ownership group in 2017 and then taking over full ownership as president of the company in 2022.
Liz Montijo is a creative services leader with extensive experience in broadcast marketing and brand strategy. She currently serves as Regional Creative Services Director for Nexstar Media at WDAF-TV FOX4 in Kansas City, where she leads multi-platform campaigns that grow audience engagement and strengthen the station’s brand. Montijo has held leadership roles at WGAL-TV in Pennsylvania and has driven audience growth through innovative, award-winning marketing initiatives. With a background in writing, producing, and editing, she continues to shape how stations connect with viewers across broadcast and digital platforms.
How Media Is Leveraging Social Media
Heidi Schmidt is a digital content creator at KCTV5 in Kansas City, where she produces engaging, audience-driven content across web and social platforms. She previously served as a digital content creator at WDAF-TV FOX4, earning recognition as a top digital author across Nexstar stations. Schmidt brings extensive experience in newsroom leadership, having spent several years as an executive producer overseeing large teams and driving audience growth through innovative storytelling. With a background in writing, producing, and digital strategy, she continues to connect audiences with compelling content across multiple platforms.
The Future of Sports Media
Cici Rojas is an accomplished C-suite executive turned entrepreneur, having built enterprises both in for-profit environments, and for economic, political, and social change. In 2017, she transferred her development skills and extensive network to co-lead Tico Productions and Tico Sports LLC, a company established by her and her husband in 2014. The enterprise is a full service, multimedia production and bilingual marketing company that developed a Spanish language broadcast and community engagement platform for professional sports teams, including for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Active in civic and business communities, she serves on multiple boards, including Y-USA’s National Board of Directors, USA Volleyball, the Kansas City Ballet, and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.
Marleah Campbell is an Emmy-winning sports journalist and Sports Director at KCTV5 in Kansas City, where she has been covering local and national sports since 2022. A Lenexa native, she began her career at WIBW in Topeka, earning multiple honors from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. With experience across television, radio, and digital platforms, Campbell brings a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of sports media and how audiences engage with content. A former Division I athlete and strong advocate for equity in sports, she combines storytelling, innovation, and insight to help shape the future of sports coverage.
Live Sports Video Streaming 2.0: Maximizing Your Stream’s Value
Justin Fluke is the president and owner of Many Signals Communications, a local six-station cluster in Northeast Kansas. Justin is the Chairman of the KAB Board of Directors. Justin’s radio career officially started as a volunteer on Christian station KREJ, where he was born and raised in Medicine Lodge, KS, and hosted a Sunday show through high school. While getting his broadcasting degree at Fort Hays State, he worked for Eagle Radio before accepting a job with KNZA Radio group in Hiawatha in 2001. Originally hired as the Sports Director, Fluke joined the sales world in 2006, then was promoted to the management team as vice-president in 2015 before joining the ownership group in 2017 and then taking over full ownership as president of the company in 2022.
Wade Gerstner is Co-Owner and General Manager of MSC Radio Group, bringing decades of experience in broadcasting, sports media, and live video streaming. He began his radio career in 1994 and has worked at stations across Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, covering high school and collegiate athletics. Gerstner has called play-by-play for numerous programs, including K-State basketball and baseball, and has extensive experience producing and delivering live sports content across radio and streaming platforms. With a background spanning sales, sports director roles, and station leadership, he offers a well-rounded perspective on the evolving role of live streaming in local sports coverage.
Calling the Unknown: Broadcasting Games with Limited Information
Chris Freund is a seasoned broadcaster with 26 years in radio and a background as a touring musician in Nashville for seven years. He serves as Program Director and Morning Show Host on U-S 98, co-anchors KGGF News at 7:00 AM and Noon on The Mighty 690 KGGF and is the Voice of the Caney Valley Bullpups while providing color commentary for Coffeyville Red Raven Basketball. Throughout his career, Chris has worn many hats, from launching a local news department to delivering critical severe weather coverage, bringing experience and versatility to every broadcast.
Wade Gerstner has been a dedicated voice in Kansas high school sports broadcasting since 1994. After earning his BA in Communication from Pittsburg State University, he worked in play-by-play and sports talk for KSEK Radio, ESPN Radio 1620 in Omaha, and KMZA Radio in Seneca. In 2006, he became GM of KD Country 94 & Z96.3 the Lake, later co-owning MSC Radio Group in Northeast Kansas. He has served as a fill-in play-by-play announcer for the K-State Sports Network since 2013 and has won multiple Kansas Association of Broadcasters awards. In 2024, he was honored as the KSHSAA Oscar Stauffer Sportscaster of the Year.