Kim Komando

Last updated

Kim Komando
Born
Kimberly Ann Komando

(1967-07-01) July 1, 1967 (age 57) [1]
Watchung, New Jersey, US
Alma mater Arizona State (B.S. 1985) [2] [3]
Occupation(s)National radio host, tv host, autho, syndicated columnist, business owner
Known forDigital lifestyle national radio show
SpouseBarry Young
ChildrenIan
Website www.komando.com

Kimberly Ann Komando (born July 1, 1967) [1] is an American radio personality and the host of two daily radio shows and one weekend radio show about consumer technology. On her weekly call-in show, she provides advice about technology gadgets, websites, smartphone apps, and internet security.

Contents

The Kim Komando Show is broadcast and syndicated on over 435 radio stations in the United States and two stations in Ontario, Canada, to an estimated 6.5+ million listeners. Her Consumer Tech Update and Digital Life Hack airs on more than 390 stations seven days a week. Her radio shows are also heard internationally on the Armed Forces Radio Network, covering 177 countries. She hosts podcasts served to over 300,000 listeners per week. The Kim Komando Television Show premiered globally on Bloomberg TV on January 5, 2019. Kim Komando also hosts a weekly radio show on SiriusXM's Business Channel 130 called Tech Insights.

Komando refers to herself on her web page as "America's Digital Goddess". As of May 2018, her website, Komando.com, serves 2.7 million unique visitors each month and she sends 500 million newsletters per year to subscribers.

Komando and her husband own Phoenix-based WestStar TalkRadio Network, which distributes the Komando radio program.

Komando has appeared on CNN, CBS, MSNBC, ABC, BBC, and Fox News, and her syndicated columns appear in USA Today and other newspapers. She has been a columnist for USA Today since February 2002. She won the Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media for Outstanding Program Host in 2007 [4] and in April 2016 was the keynote speaker at the NAB Show Radio Luncheon to an audience of industry leaders. In January 2017, she was appointed to Forbes Magazine Tech Council. On October 9, 2019, she presented a keynote speech about cybersecurity at the John Glenn NASA Research Center in Cleveland that was broadcast to all 60,000 NASA employees. In 2020, she was nominated to the National Radio Hall of Fame. In 2021, Kim was nominated again and this time inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Early life

Komando was raised in Watchung, New Jersey. [5]

Her father, Richard Paul "Dick" Komando, served in the Army during the Korean War and was a management employee for United Airlines. Her mother, Virginia, was a senior systems analyst with Bell Laboratories. [6] Kim is the youngest of four, with a brother and two sisters.

Kim says in her profile that she first used a computer at nine years of age. [7] She graduated eighth grade from Watchung's Valley View School in 1978. [8] She attended the nearby Catholic private high school for girls, Mount St. Mary Academy, where she was elected to the McAuley Chapter of the National Honor Society in 1981. [5] [9] After graduating from high school in 1981, one year ahead of schedule as a junior, and having skipped a grade, she attended Arizona State University. While in school, she started her own business to train people how to use their computers. She graduated from Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business in 1985, at the age of 19, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. [2] [10] [3]

She is frequently asked if "Kim Komando" is her real name, which it is. [11] The name "Komando" is Russian-Ukrainian. [12]

Career

Kim Komando started out in sales, working for IBM, AT&T and Unisys. At Unisys, she sold mainframe systems. She sold Honeywell a Unisys system valued at $11 million. Komando wrote a column about computers for the Arizona Business Gazette while hosting a call-in talk show on computers. It aired late at night on KFYI in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Kim Komando Show logo Kim Komando Show logo.png
The Kim Komando Show logo

In 1992, she formed "The Komando Corporation" with her as President/CEO and her mother as Secretary. [13] She quit sales at Unisys to focus on her syndicated newspaper column and radio show. However, she was only earning $60 a week from the column and show combined. Komando developed computer training tapes that she wrote, hosted, and called Komputer Tutor, which she sold via an infomercial. [14] [15] [16] Over 150,000 tapes were sold for $80 to $120 each. The second generation of tapes included Prodigy. America Online was included with the third generation of tapes. Kim Komando negotiated a role running the computer section on AOL's site. The domain Komando.com hosted "Kim Komando's Komputer Klinic" for several years. [17]

Komando was the Technology Editor of Popular Mechanics Magazine from 1995 to 1998. She has been a weekly columnist for USA Today since February 2002. She has written 12 books on computers and technology. [18]

Through her charitable trust, she sponsors a scholarship for students on her path, female CIS students at her alma mater, W. P. Carey School of Business at ASU. [10]

Radio broadcasting

In the mid-1990s, Komando started the WestStar TalkRadio Network (now WestStar Multimedia) with her husband. They built their first studio in 1994. In 1994, ABC and CBS Radio passed on the show, saying a national radio show on the subject would be unsuccessful, as computers and the Internet were a fad. [19]

In 2015, the staff of WestStar moved into a $7.5 million, 24,000-square-foot multimedia facility with radio studios and production facilities for TV shows and podcasts.

In 2016, Komando was the Keynote Speaker at the National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas.

In 2017, Komando was nominated for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Marconi Radio Award in the Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year category. [20]

In 2021, Komando was nominated and inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. [21] She had previously been nominated in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

The Kim Komando radio show airs on more than 435 radio stations in the U.S. and in 177 countries on Armed Forces Radio. The Kim Komando television show premiered globally on Bloomberg TV on January 5, 2019.

WestStar's radio offerings diversified into a number of other radio formats, among them: Your Weekend, an adult contemporary music program hosted by pianist Jim Brickman; Quiet Music, a smooth jazz program hosted by Nick Francis; Goddard's Gold and The '70s, classic hits/oldies programs hosted by Phoenix-area disc jockey Steve Goddard; and The Other Side with Steve Godfrey , a call-in talk show in which the title host attempted to communicate with spirits. As of 2020, WestStar continues to distribute Komando's two daily national radio shows and the weekend show and An American Christmas, an annual Christmas special produced by Mannheim Steamroller.

Personal life

Komando is married to Barry Young, who is her business partner and former host of The Nearly Famous Barry Young Show, a local radio show on KFYI in Phoenix until November 2014. [22] They have one son. [23] She is a practicing Catholic. [24]

Komando splits her time between her homes in Phoenix, Santa Barbara, and Beverly Hills. She has full broadcast studios in all locations. She is an avid car collector and owns a Ferrari F8 Tributo, Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Mercedes-AMG GTR Roadster, Mercedes-AMG SL63, Mercedes-AMG G63 Edition 1, three other Mercedes-AMG G63s, Tesla Model S Plaid, Chevrolet Corvette (C8), 1946 Chevrolet Truck, 1961 Corvette, 1964 Jaguar E-Type, 1964 1⁄2 Ford Mustang, 1966 Custom Corvette, and a 1967 Corvette that was used in the movie Con Air. She owns a 2018 Embraer Phenom 300 jet and an Azimut 50 Flybridge yacht.

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. D. Hayworth</span> American television host and politician (born 1958)

John David Hayworth Jr. is an American television host and former politician. He served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 2007 from Arizona's 5th Congressional District. He later hosted Newsmax Prime, a television news/talk prime time show that airs weekdays at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Newsmax TV. Previously, he hosted a conservative talk radio program on KFYI in Phoenix until January 2010, when he resigned due to his run for the U.S. Senate.

Delilah Rene Luke is an American radio personality, author, and songwriter, best known as the host of a nationally syndicated nightly U.S. radio song request and dedication program, with an estimated 8 million listeners. She first aired in the Seattle market as Delilah Rene, though she is now known simply as Delilah.

<i>Fifth Gear</i> Television series

Fifth Gear is a British motoring television magazine series which has been broadcast since 2002. Originally shown on Channel 5 from 2002 to 2011, it began as a continuation of the original version of the BBC show Top Gear, which ran from 1977 until being cancelled in 2001. It moved to the Discovery Channel in 2012, then in 2015 to History; since 2018 it has been broadcast on Quest. The show is currently presented by Vicki Butler-Henderson and Jason Plato, with Rory Reid, Grace Webb and Jimmy de Ville featuring in some episodes. Its former presenters include Quentin Willson, Adrian Simpson, Jonny Smith, former racing driver Tiff Needell and Car SOS host Tim Shaw.

Jodi Applegate is an American broadcast journalist. She served as an anchorwoman at local stations as well as nationally for MSNBC and NBC News.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCHS (AM)</span> News/talk radio station in Charleston, West Virginia, United States

WCHS is a news/talk/sports formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Charleston, West Virginia, serving Southern West Virginia and Southwestern West Virginia. WCHS is owned and operated by WVRC Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Chambers</span> American retired pornographic actress

Kimberly Chambers is an American retired pornographic actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NAB Show</span> American annual trade show

NAB Show is an annual trade show produced by the National Association of Broadcasters. It takes place in April, and has been held since 1991 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show's tagline is "Where Content Comes to Life". NAB show is the largest show for media, entertainment and technology. The NAB shows covers: broadcast TV, radio, production, post production, news gathering, streaming, cable TV, satellite TV, film restoration, data storage, data management, weather forecasting, industrial TV, FX, CGI, connected media, cybersecurity and more. NAB had 103,000 attendees from 161 countries and more than 1,806 exhibitors in 2016. There are also exhibitors in Las Vegas hotels not counted in the official convention center displays. In addition to the exhibitors' booths, there are lectures, panel discussions and workshops. In 2017, there will be over 200 of these sessions. Before 1991 the show had moved around to a number of cities: Atlanta (1990), Washington DC, Chicago, New York, Atlantic City, Dallas, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, St. Louis, White Sulfur Springs, W. Va., and once in West Baden Springs, Indiana

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFYI</span> Radio station in Phoenix, Arizona

KFYI – branded News/Talk 550 KFYI – is a commercial news/talk radio station licensed to serve Phoenix, Arizona. Owned by iHeartMedia, KFYI serves the Phoenix metropolitan area as the market affiliate for Fox News Radio, The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, The Sean Hannity Show, the Glenn Beck Radio Program and Coast to Coast AM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KOY</span> Radio station in Phoenix, Arizona

KOY is a commercial radio station licensed to Phoenix, Arizona, featuring a Regional Mexican radio format known as "93.7 El Patrón". Owned by iHeartMedia, the station serves the Phoenix metropolitan area. KOY's studios are located in Phoenix near Sky Harbor International Airport, and broadcasts at 1,000 watts—non-directional—from a transmitter located near Downtown Phoenix. In addition to a standard analog transmission, KOY is available online via iHeartRadio and is relayed over low-power Phoenix translator K229DB, from which the station's branding is derived from.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KGME</span> Radio station in Arizona, United States

KGME is a commercial radio station in Phoenix, Arizona, featuring a sports format known as "Fox Sports 910." Owned by iHeartMedia, the station's studios are located in Phoenix near Sky Harbor International Airport, and broadcasts with 5,000 watts—directional at night—from a transmitter site at the intersection of 30th and Maryland Avenues in north Phoenix. In addition to a standard analog transmission, KGME is relayed over the third HD Radio subchannel of KESZ and is available online via iHeartRadio.

Nova M Radio, later known as On Second Thought, was a radio syndication service providing progressive talk programming. Founded as Nova M Radio by Sheldon and Anita Drobny in 2006, its stated purpose was to purchase, own, and operate underperforming radio stations in small and medium-sized markets. These stations would then broadcast progressive talk radio content, particularly programming from their own network, as well as from Air America Radio and other organizations. On February 18, 2009, the network was bought out by Mike Newcomb, a former on-air personality and business partner with the Drobnys; it was Newcomb who gave the company its final name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKNT</span> Talk radio station in Phoenix

KKNT is a radio station broadcasting a conservative talk radio format in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The station is owned by Salem Communications Holding Corporation, a subsidiary of the Salem Media Group. Studios are located at 24th Street and Camelback in Phoenix; the transmitter is on the city's northern edge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Goyette</span> American broadcaster

Charles Goyette is a libertarian commentator and talk radio host.

KTAR-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Glendale, Arizona, and serving the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is owned by Salt Lake City–based Bonneville International, a profit-making division of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. KTAR-FM broadcasts a news/talk radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WOND</span> Radio station in Pleasantville, New Jersey

WOND is a commercial radio station licensed to Pleasantville, New Jersey, and serving the Atlantic City radio market. It is owned by Longport Media and broadcasts a Conservative talk radio format. Its studios and offices are located offshore in Linwood, New Jersey.

KPXQ is a commercial AM radio station, airing a Christian talk and teaching radio format. It is licensed to Glendale, Arizona, and serves the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is owned by Salem Media Group with studios on East Camelback Road in Phoenix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KYCA</span> Radio station in Prescott, Arizona

KYCA is a radio station broadcasting a talk radio format in Prescott, Arizona. It is owned by Jason Zinzileta and Janice Derks, through licensee Prescott Broadcasting, LLC.

WBZT is a radio station broadcasting a sports gambling format. Licensed to West Palm Beach, Florida, United States, the station serves the West Palm Beach area. With a synchronous amplifier in Pompano Beach, Florida, they also cover Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc.

Bruce Jacobs, is an American sports talk radio show host. Since September 23, 2019, Jacobs co-hosts the 'Bruce Jacobs and Helly Show' with Dale Hellestrae on KQFN 1580 The Fanatic in Phoenix, Arizona from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays.

<i>Kevin and Bean</i> Former KROQ-FM Radio Show

Kevin and Bean was the morning show on KROQ-FM, an alternative rock-format radio station in Los Angeles, California. It was hosted by Kevin Ryder and Gene "Bean" Baxter. The show was on the air from 1990 to 2019 and interspersed music and news with comedy, celebrity interviews, listener call-ins, and live music performances.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kim Komando Bio, Age, Family, Husband, Net Worth, Salary". oneworldinformation.com. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Profile: Kim Komando". SWE.org. Society of Women Engineers, Keynote address, 1999 Annual Conference. June 22, 1999. Archived from the original on October 21, 1999. Retrieved December 30, 2012. Kim Komando ... 34-year-old
  3. 1 2 3 Ku, Tony (September 24, 2001). "Radio host's enterprise recognized by ASU, SRP". ASU. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "The Gracies: 2007 Gracie Awards Winners". TheGracies.org. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Campus Corner". Echoes-Sentinel. Warren Township, New Jersey. January 22, 1981. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Virginia Komando Profile". LinkedIn.com.
  7. ↑ "The Life And Times of Kim Komando (A Professional Profile)". Komando.com. October 18, 1996. Archived from the original on October 18, 1996.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ↑ "Ninety-Two Graduate From Valley View". Echoes-Sentinel. Warren Township, New Jersey. June 29, 1978. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Mount Saint Mary Academy Mountain Chimes Yearbook 1981". E-Yearbook.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "America's Digital Goddess gives back to CIS women". W. P. Carey News and Research. September 12, 2018. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019. After graduating at age 19, Komando (BS Computer Information Systems '85)
  11. ↑ Miller, Samantha (February 21, 2000). "Online". People . Archived from the original on December 28, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018. Komando, 35
  12. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions-Is Kim Komando her real name?". Komando.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016.
  13. ↑ "The Komando Corporation". ecorp.azcc.gov. Arizona Corporation Commission eCorp. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  14. ↑ "How to Avoid the 29 Biggest Computer Mistakes (1993)". youtube.com. January 1, 2013. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Early '90s Kim Komando Infomercial". youtube.com. April 25, 2013. Archived from the original on December 28, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Komputer Tutor Infomercial Part 1". youtube.com. September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on August 17, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Kim Komando's Komputer Klinic". Komando.com. October 18, 1996. Archived from the original on October 18, 1996.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. ↑ "Results for Books : Kim Komando". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  19. ↑ "About". Komando.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  20. ↑ "2017 NAB Marconi Radio Award Finalists Announced – NAB Newsroom". NAB.org. National Association of Broadcasters. July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  21. 1 2 "2021 Inductees". Radio Hall Of Fame. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Barry Young Announces Retirement from 550 KFYI & Mike Broomhead to Host Mornings". kfyi.iheart.com (550 KFYI). iHeartMedia Phoenix. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  23. ↑ "About Kim". Komando.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Bible in a Year". Twitter.com. January 31, 2021. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Talkers Magazine". Talkers.com. May 26, 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2008.
  26. ↑ "FORTUNE Most Powerful Women Summit 2009 – Speakers". FortuneConferences.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Kim Komando offers keynote speech at NAB 2016". YouTube.com. April 28, 2016. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.