05/29/2025
OUR PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
It's been awhile since I've written one of these, but I have written them before, but for whatever reason, the words aren't coming easily.
By now, you have all heard about the impending donation of Saxonburgradio.com by Signal Communications Partners to the Knoch School District. While some I's need to be dotted and some T's need to be crossed, for all intents and purposes, this is a done deal.
This decision did not come hastily, or easily for that matter.
Beginning late last year, I began to consider scaling back on my on-air, public address and emcee work. Now in my mid-50's, I've felt a need to simplify my life as the next chapter is less than a decade away.
That little extended vacation that some like to call retirement. At 55, I find myself at a crossroads...too young to retire, yet too old to do something new. Nonetheless, I'm doing both. And I'm approaching it as I have everything else in my life.
Why? Because it's time, pure and simple. You just know.
I discussed this with my wife, who fully supported my decision in April 2013 when I decided to form my own company and build my own radio station. Two rules, she said...it can't drain our life savings nor can it interfere with family time.
For the most part, I've kept that promise. I've managed to set up the station's operations in a manner where it's the least intrusive as far as operations. However, as the station has prospered the way it has over the years, it needs a great deal of hands-on care to be successful. And I think it can still do more...but it has to be someone other than me.
At some point in our careers, we know when to embrace its progress, and when it's time to jump off and let some more nimble minds take a crack at making this industry that I love the very best it can be.
Radio, like any other medium, will continue to change and evolve, as long as there is young, innovative thinking to take it into the future. 37 years ago, I was that young, hungry pup with a dream. Not to be the next Casey Kasem or Howard Stern. But the one at the helm...the guy behind the camera, not the one on the IMAX screen.
I've been very blessed in all that time to have held every job function there is in radio. From disc jockey to station owner, doing sales, management and engineering duties in between.
I'm hoping to have the final contract finished and ready to be signed by the end of June. Once that has been done, we will begin moving studio equipment from our offices on North Pike Road in Winfield Township to the newly constructed atrium area of Knoch High School.
I want to thank Todd Trofimuk, Kurt Reiser, the school board and Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Chairman Michael Sherry for their vision and their help in making my dream a reality for the next generation of Knoch High students.
I also want to thank the Saxonburg Area Business Association, its member businesses, the borough's officials, and the community at large for their support of us since we signed on back on Sunday, October 25, 2015.
I wish a simple thank you was enough.
Sincerely yours,
Ken Hawk
President and General Manager
