News
KAWC’s Dave Riek earns Lifetime Service Award
March 2, 2026Phoenix, Ariz. (March 2, 2026) – Next month, KAWC and Border Radio General Manager Dave Riek is being celebrated by the Arizona Media Association with the Lifetime Service Award, recognizing more than 40 years of dedication to public radio and service to communities across Arizona.
Since beginning his public radio career as a student volunteer at KNAU-FM in Flagstaff in 1985, Dave has worked as a reporter, news director, producer, recording engineer, and operations manager. This year also marks his 20th year as General Manager of KAWC and Border Radio.
“Working with Dave for more than 20 years, I've watched him embody what public service leadership truly means: quiet, consistent, and always focused on the work rather than the credit,” shared KAWC Development Director Alice Ferris. “When a station serving tribal communities went dark, Dave showed up with solutions. When the pandemic hit, and we worked remotely, Dave kept KAWC on the air. He has always put community service first in his work. He's an unsung hero who will never get radio out of his blood, and this recognition is richly deserved.”
Reflecting on his career, Riek noted many memorable moments, including helping develop Native American radio stations, working alongside talented up-and-coming journalists, and interviewing famous figures and community leaders. Among those experiences, he especially cherishes the opportunity to have interviewed every Arizona governor from Evan Mecham to current governor Katie Hobbs.
“One of my favorite things about working in radio is that every day is something new,” he shared. “While news (like history) sometimes repeats, it is always a little different every day.”
As he looks toward the future, Riek hopes the strong foundation he has built at KAWC will continue to serve as a trusted source of information and connection for the community. AWC and KAWC are deeply grateful for his decades of leadership, service, and dedication, and celebrate the lasting impact he has made across the region.
Riek will receive the Lifetime Service Award at the Arizona Media Icon Lunch on April 2 in Phoenix, AZ.
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About KAWC:
Since 1970, KAWC has been a public service of Arizona Western College, providing local public radio for Yuma and La Paz Counties. KAWC hosts two programming streams: KAWC News, featuring NPR, BBC, and local news coverage on 88.9 FM in Yuma and Parker, 90.1 FM in Quartzsite, and kawc.org, and KOFA Border Radio, community music on 94.7 FM, AM 1320, and borderradioaz.org. From the Matador Activity Center on the Arizona Western College campus in Yuma, KAWC and KOFA produce programming highlighting local issues and Arizona musical artists designed to educate, inform, and entertain their listeners. In partnership with local and regional media, KAWC’s vision is to become the go-to source for local media programming.
About The Arizona Media Association:
The Arizona Media Association (AMA) is a non-profit corporation that acts as the official trade association for Arizona’s local radio, TV, print and digital industry. Their mission is to amplify the unique role local media can play in every Arizona neighborhood. The AMA also underwrites the Arizona Local News Foundation to connect communities with more local news and information.
Contact:
Alice Ferris
Development Director
KAWC
alice.ferris@kawc.org
(928) 606-1692