Steve West and KTAC rocked KJR’s Pierce County ratings

Steve West started in radio in Hoquiam. In 1967, West joined the KJR, becoming the all night disc-jockey and newsman. West was then hired by KTAC as Program Director. KTAC climbed to the top rated position in Pierce county, replacing nine year leader, KJR. West hired some great talent for KTAC, including Gary Crow. Pat O’Day countered West’s success [or rather “recognized” West’s talent] by offering Steve West the position of Program Director at KJRB Spokane. West returned to KJR in 1974 as PD there.

August 26, 1979 / Steve West has traded AM for FM and moved from KJR to sister-station KISW as its new general manager. He was assistant manager of KJR for three months. At the FM station, he replaces Harry Caraco who is moving to other areas of business. West has been with KJR for five years as program director. Before that he was program director at another Kaye-Smith station, KJRB in Spokane.
Edie Hilliard, general sales manager at KJR, will take over the additional duties of assistant manager there. She joined the station in 1975 as an account executive and in 1977 was named sales manager. Ms. Hilliard began with Kaye-Smith Radio in 1972 as the corporate promotions manager.