SHS grad wins Tom Brokaw award

Saratoga High School graduate and award winning KBHB Radio program, news and sports director Gary Maki, Jr. has been selected to receive the Tom Brokaw Award that recognizes excellence in broadcasting.

Presented in a cooperative effort between the South Dakota Broadcasters Association (SDBA) and the Contemporary Media & Journalism Department of the University of South Dakota, it is one of USD's highest honors.

Maki is originally from Saratoga and a graduate of Black Hills State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communications. He began his broadcasting career at KBHU, the college radio station. He then moved to KSQY, 95.1, Deadwood & Rapid City, SD and then onto KDDX 101.1 in Spearfish, SD. In 1995, he joined KBHB Radio 810AM, a highly recognized Heritage Station with listeners in five states.

Maki's role goes beyond that of news and sports director at the 25,000 watt station. Along with managing sports and news coverage on a regional basis, he is instrumental in the continued advancement of new broadcasting technologies utilized by the station, including digital video and online streaming.

In addition, his expertise in engineering and information technology serves to strengthen the delivery of news, markets and entertainment.

"Gary's job requires a wealth of knowledge as the "voice of the ranch," for a five-state area," says Dean Kinney, President/CEO, The HomeSlice Group, parent company of KBHB Radio. "Gary routinely covers complicated agriculture issues. He was among the very first to recognize the gravity of the Atlas Blizzard in the fall of 2013 and commenced wall-to-wall coverage," recalls Kinney. "Though Gary has covered countless news stories and sporting events, it is in that remarkable hour of our listener's need that I am most proud to have had Gary as a trusted-co-worker and friend."

The Tom Brokaw Award in broadcasting focuses on the areas of electronic journalism (on or off-air involvements) and public affairs. In these areas, Maki excels with involvement in and reporting of local, state and regional events. As a respected member of a news-sharing group among radio stations across the state, his "concise, consistent, and capable reporting is admired among his peers," says J.P. Skelly, News Director with KORN News Radio, Mitchell, SD.

He has been recognized by the SDBA and the Associated Press in broadcasting and commercial recording. He was also instrumental in The Greater Sturgis Area Character Speaks Campaign.