Upon hearing of his impending induction into the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, KVOE General Manager and longtime voice of Emporia Ron Thomas, called it a great surprise and even greater honor.
Thomas’ career in Emporia began in 1986 when he joined KVOE Emporia’s Radio Stations as its program director and a member of the KVOE news team. He would later take over as the host of KVOE’s Morning Show, which he continues to lead, before being named KVOE General Manager in 2011.
While the majority of his career has been spent in Emporia and the state of Kansas, Thomas also had stints in Wyoming, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa. He says that throughout his career, and the various states in which he has worked and resided, he has met and worked with countless individuals who have helped him reach this point.
In addition to his work on air, Thomas is also well-known for his various charitable efforts throughout the community, including the annual Ron’s Ride, which has raised more than $50,000 in support of Special Olympics over the course of its existence. Under his leadership, KVOE has also garnered various awards and recognitions for community engagement, including the NAB Crystal Radio Award for excellence in community service.
Individually, Thomas has been recognized with the Salvation Army’s Outstanding Service, Emporia Mainstreet Volunteer of the Year, and the Emporia State Service Citation awards.
When asked if he viewed this latest honor as the culmination of his career, or whether he felt there was still more work to do, Thomas pondered for a moment and responded:
Thomas and his fellow 2025 inductees, Topeka’s Roger Brokke and Colby’s Rich Epp, will be honored during the KAB Hall of Fame awards dinner on October 5 in Manhattan.
