One might assume that famous actors, athletes, politicians, or musicians are the biggest influencers in Southeast Minnesota. Not so. In Rochester, Owatonna, Faribault, Preston, Austin, and all points in-between it is the talented personalities that grace the radio airwaves, dominate social media, and regularly attend or host community events. They are heard, seen, and followed by thousands daily. In fact, no organization has more of these community advocates and influencers and reaches more people in Southeast Minnesota than Townsquare Media.

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In an ever-changing media landscape, the personalities of Townsquare Media continue to devote their time and resources to the Southeast Minnesota communities we serve, specializing in the creation and distribution of original, motivating, inspirational, and entertaining experiences that connect us all.

They are heard, seen, and followed by thousands daily. In fact, no organization has more of these community advocates and influencers and reaches more people in Southeast Minnesota than Townsquare Media.

We create on average 30 pieces of new content daily centered around the Southeast Minnesota region covering everything from the latest local news and weather, human interest stories, local events, business openings/closings, opinion pieces, and unparalleled local sports coverage. The content we create is shared for free on our radio stations, our websites, our free mobile apps, in daily email newsletters, and on social media. Our 12 brands reach more than 133,800 local radio listeners each week, an average of 1,375,000 monthly local visitors to our station websites, and 85,349 social followers all across the region.

We aim to be more than Southeast Minnesota's favorite source for music, news, and entertainment. Townsquare Cares and our team is also dedicated to being an integral part of local fundraisers, community service, and engagement. We want to make a difference -- and have a little fun.

Meet the personalities behind the microphones and the content on our websites:

Andy Brownell

Andy is a member of the KROC news team and the host of Rochester Today on News-Talk 1340 KROC AM & 96.9 FM. He was born and raised in Rochester, in fact, his great-grandparents were among the original settlers of the area in the 1880s. Andy has always been interested in broadcasting and enrolled in the Austin Technical College Radio and TV program, where he discovered his love for radio. Andy is a news junkie and started as an intern at KROC-AM under the supervision of legendary news broadcaster Bob Ryan in 1982. One of his most memorable moments was covering former President Ronald Reagan’s brain surgery at Mayo Clinic. He remembers getting a kick out of some of the sophomoric behaviors of the national TV reporters and the people managing public relations for the Reagan family. Andy takes his responsibility to keep the community informed seriously, writing about a variety of local and regional topics on a daily basis, as well as highlighting many of the numerous local nonprofit organizations and the good work they do in our community. He’s a critical thinker and enjoys covering the local and state government stories the most as they have a major impact on our daily lives. When Andy’s not wearing his objective journalist hat, he enjoys hanging out with his family, friends, and neighbors around the neighborhood. He also especially enjoys the Thirsty Belgian. His favorite part about Minnesota is the summers, he tolerates winter so he can enjoy mid-May through September. If given the opportunity to invite three celebrities over for dinner, he says he can’t think of a single one. You can listen to Andy on Rochester Today weekdays from 11 AM to noon on News-Talk 1340 KROC AM & 96.9 FM.

Carly Ross

Carly Ross is the co-host of "The Get Up and Go Show With Dunken and Carly" on 106.9 KROC. She was born and raised in Eagan, MN, and is thrilled to have been able to get a job she loves without having to move very far. Carly started out working toward a degree in TV broadcasting but quickly fell in love with radio after a friend talked her into doing a college radio show and she found out it was way more fun than she thought it would be. She landed an internship at a radio station in the Twin Cities before coming to work here at Townsquare Media. Carly is a very upbeat person and works hard to entertain her audience, and she loves meeting and talking to listeners at local events. She is passionate about the environment and jumps at opportunities to talk and write about things we can do to help the planet. Carly also enjoys sharing interesting stories about Minnesota, especially if it’s about a haunted place. When it comes to local causes and nonprofit organizations, if it has to do with helping animals or the environment, she’s in. Carly’s favorite thing about Minnesota is the outdoors -- hiking, camping, boating -- and she says the nature we’re able to experience is like nowhere else. There’s also a good chance you’ll run into Carly at a Caribou coffee shop or at a local brewery soaking in the atmosphere and trying new beers. Spending time with friends and family is important to Carly, but she’s also content to stay home and hang out with her cat, Moscato. If she were to invite three celebrities over for dinner, they would be Sarah Hyland, Tom Hanks, and Twenty One Pilots (we can count them as one person, right?) You can listen to Carly weekdays from 6AM to 10am on 106.9 KROC.

Curt St. John

Curt St John is the morning host on Quick Country 96.5 and afternoon host on 103.9 The Doc. He was born in Wausau, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Curt worked in radio in Eau Claire for nearly 20 years before meeting his wife and moving to Rochester 8 years ago. He wanted to be on the radio since he was a little kid and finally got his “big break” landing a job as the mascot in parades and appearances for the station in his hometown. The station was a Chicago Cubs affiliate and the mascot was a really big bear suit that he wore to almost every parade in central Wisconsin that summer. Curt has since earned his place as the host of one of the most listened-to morning shows in southeast Minnesota. He has had many cool moments throughout his career, but his most memorable is getting the opportunity to interview Garth Brooks. Answering the phone and hearing, “Hey Curt, it’s Garth…” was something he will never forget. Curt loves to write about the off-the-beaten-path things that make Minnesota unique and really enjoys all the quirks of living here in the land of 10,000 lakes. He’s a BIG animal lover and supporting the various animal rescues in the area is important to him. Curt and his wife volunteer at Paws and Claws Humane Society and have adopted all of their animals (three cats and a dog) from there, as well as Camp Companion. Curt’s favorite thing about Minnesota is the North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais. He also loves trying all of Minnesota’s excellent craft beers, so you’ll no doubt find him enjoying an IPA at Little Thistle Brewery, LTS Brewing, Grand Rounds Brew Pub, Thesis, Beer Project, or Kinney Creek. The three celebrities Curt would invite over for dinner are David Letterman, Tina Fey, and Jennifer Aniston. You can listen to Curt every weekday morning from 6 AM to 10 AM on Quick Country 96.5

Gordy Kosfeld

Gordy Kosfeld is the News and Sports Director for KDHL AM The Mighty 920. He was born in the Turkey capital of the world, Worthington, MN and grew up in Spring Valley, MN. Gordy graduated from Brown Institute in Minneapolis in 1980 and worked in Desoto, MO; Ottumwa, IA; North Platte, NE; Des Moines, IA; and Rochester, MN; and started at KDHL in 1987. Gordy is a well-known local sports commentator and an award-winning journalist. In 1985 and 1986 he was awarded the best small market newscast and best documentary by the Associated Press. The Documentary was on the 10th anniversary of the exit from Vietnam selected best documentary regardless of market size. In Faribault, News Network awards include: 2001, MN Emergency Management Directors Outstanding Media Award. 2009 and 2011, the Region One athletic director's award. October 2014, Angelo Giuliani Award from MN High School Baseball Coaches Assn. 2013 President's Call To Service Award from Barack Obama. 2014, Book of Golden Deeds Award Faribault Exchange Club. 2017 Faribault Daily News Lifetime Achievement Award. Gordy has interviewed many great people over the years, including former President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale. He co-chaired the Rice County Relay For Life for over a decade and still emcees the event each August. His favorite thing about Minnesota is the big hearts of the people. He enjoys writing poetry, riding his bike, playing tennis, horseback riding, and exploring state parks. Some of his favorite places to visit are River Bend Nature Center and Big Woods State Park. If he could invite three celebrities over for dinner, he would choose Abe Lincoln, Billy Graham, and Martin Luther King Jr. You can listen to Gordy weekdays mornings on The Mighty 920 KDHL AM from 7 AM to 9 AM, on AM Minnesota from 9:30 AM to 10 AM, during the midday report from Noon to 1 PM, and during the news hours at 5 PM, and 6 PM. Gordy is also the voice of Carleton Knights football on Power 96 and Basketball on KDHL.

 

Jerry Groskreutz

Jerry Groskreutz is the Farm Director for KDHL AM The Mighty 920. He was born and raised in Wells, MN and grew up on a crop and dairy farm. After graduating from Wells Easton High School, Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, he returned to the family farm consisting of 600 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, sweet corn, peas, and 100 dairy cows. In the fall of 1995, after 18 years, he traded the milking parlor for a radio microphone. He still gets up at 3:15 AM every day. In addition to farm broadcasting, covering the farm news, weather, markets, meetings, county fairs, FFA conventions and so on, Jerry continues to farm his land in Southern Minnesota. He has a passion for agriculture and enjoys writing and talking about the technology used in farming and how much food we can produce while protecting the environment. He is involved with the Faribault Chamber of Commerce on the Agra-Business Committee and the “Adopt a Third Grade” program. Jerry and another farmer, Brent Fuchs, visit all the third-grade classes in Faribault. They bring items from the grocery store that the kids recognize that all have some form of corn or soybeans in them. They show pictures and teach the kids how corn and soybeans are planted, harvested, dried, and hauled to processing plants that turn them into what they know in the grocery store. Jerry’s favorite thing about Minnesota is the rich, productive soil and the changing seasons. When he’s not on the mic, Jerry loves being out on the farm, taking care of crops and mowing the lawn. He doesn’t have much time for hobbies, other than watching Minnesota Gophers football and basketball, although, most often he is listening to the games on the radio while working on the farm. Jerry can’t think of any celebrities he would invite to dinner – they would have nothing in common! You can listen to Jerry weekday mornings from 5 AM to 9 AM on KDHL AM The Mighty 920, and during AM Minnesota from 9:30 AM to 10 AM.

Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams is a co-host of the Early Morning Show with James Rabe on Y-105FM and also does a solo weekend show that is nationally syndicated across many other Townsquare Media radio stations. She is also the afternoon host on 103.1 KFIL. Jessica was born in Des Moines, IA and grew up in Fort Dodge, IA. After she graduated with her BS in Marketing from Iowa State University, she lived and worked in the Twin Cities for a year. She was engaged to her now-husband who was working at IBM in Rochester, and when they got married, she decided to pursue a career in Rochester. Jessica has a passion for helping nonprofits and is the former Marketing Coordinator for Rochester Area Family YMCA. Prior to joining Townsquare Media in 2017, she freelanced for several years for various marketing companies creating graphics for billboards, print marketing, and social media marketing strategies and graphics. She has run an in-home daycare, and also worked as a realtor. Jessica loves using her voice in some way to help those that are having a hard time using theirs. Her favorite things to write about are women or kids in our area doing great things, as well as people or organizations making a difference somehow. Jessica is an advocate for many local nonprofit organizations including Ronald McDonald House, United Way of Olmsted County, Channel One, Feed My Starving Children, The Landing, new Warming Shelter in Rochester, Dorothy Day House, Salvation Army, Women’s Shelter, SEMCIL, Pacer, and any other organization that helps kids/families dealing with cancer or mental health/anxiety. Jessica is authentic in everything she does, and as a result, connects well with people. Her favorite things about Minnesota are the Twins and being near the water and visiting the many amazing small towns. Jessica loves boxing, lifting weights, cycling, going to concerts, and eating at Chesters. Jessica is happiest when she’s helping others -- usually with social media marketing campaigns or as an emcee at a charity event. If she could invite three celebrities to her house for dinner, she would choose Chip Gains, Rachel Hollis, and Brene Brown. You can listen to Jessica every day from 3 PM to 7 PM on Y-105FM.

 

 

 

 

Troy Dunken

A girl once told Troy Dunken he was funny and had a nice voice and encouraged him to intern at the local radio station. They hired him after three months, and the rest is history. Troy is now the Director of Content for Townsquare Media Rochester and co-host of the "Get Up and Go Show With Dunken & Carly" weekday mornings on 106.9 KROC. He grew up in Nebraska #GBR, and radio is what brought him to Rochester. One of the most memorable moments of his career so far is getting issued a press pass by the White House to watch the President speak at Target Center. As a father of young children, hanging out with his family is what makes him happiest. Troy is always on the go finding new family-friendly activities and loves to write about them and share with the community so other families can experience the fun events and attractions, too. Troy has a very creative mind and loves coming up with fun ways to engage with the community whether it be on-air, online, or at a local event. When it comes to supporting local causes and charities, Channel One is at the top of his list. He says he can’t stand the thought of young children going to bed hungry and loves the work Channel One does for families in need. Troy’s favorite thing about Minnesota is being in a canoe on the water in the summer. He loves being outdoors and Douglas Trail and Chester Woods are his go-to places. You might also find Troy enjoying the libations at Whistle Binkies and The Tap House. The three celebrities he would invite to dinner are Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift, and Bill Burr. You can listen to Troy every weekday morning from 6 AM to 10 AM on 106.9 KROC

Aaron Galloway

Aaron Galloway is the Digital Managing Editor for all of our Townsquare Media stations in SE Minnesota. He was born in Utah, moved to Texas in Junior high, and graduated from high school in Wuerzburg, Germany. From Germany, Aaron returned to Texas where he studied Marketing at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. Radio had a big influence on Aaron's life growing up, and he jumped at the opportunity to work in the industry shortly after graduating from college. Aaron joined the Townsquare Media team in 2008 in Wichita Falls, TX as an Account Executive and two years later became the Digital Managing Editor where he worked until joining the team here in SE Minnesota at the beginning of 2019. Aaron works behind the scenes with all things digital, managing websites, mobile apps, social media, as well as working directly with our local personalities to implement a holistic locally-focused content strategy that works across all of our platforms. Aaron is a dog lover and particularly fond of Great Danes. He has rescued/adopted six Danes over the past 14 years and is a passionate supporter of organizations that help animals. He also has a soft spot in his heart for children and has served as a member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Aaron's favorite thing about Minnesota is the four distinct seasons, and he loves finding new ways to experience each of them with his wife, daughter, and dogs. If he could invite three celebrities to dinner, Aaron would choose Steve Young, Jack Black, and Julia Roberts.


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