August 16, 2024
SALIDA, Colo. – The award-winning Heart of the Rockies Radio Group announced the pending sale of the group’s stations, studio, and broadcast assets to a local Chaffee County business leader today, pending Federal Communications Commission approval of the transfer of the stations’ broadcast licenses. The transaction is expected to formally close by the end of 2024.
The buyer is Highwater House Media LLC, led by, Jake Rishavy, who has led the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation as its Executive Director since 2021, working to diversify the local economy and support the creation of year-round employment in the region. The EDC separately announced today that it has initiated a transition plan to find its next leader.
“It is a great honor to be in a position to lead Heart of the Rockies Radio Group, which has been an important community institution here for decades,” said Rishavy, who holds a journalism degree, has held multiple marketing and media roles, and previously founded a digital advertising agency prior to beginning his career in economic development.
“For the last 15 years, I’ve worked day in and day out to help other people build remarkable businesses. I’m thrilled to bring the skills and relationships I’ve developed to support the staff, advertisers and listeners at the center of the Heart of the Rockies Radio community,” Rishavy added.
Gary Buchanan, President of Three Eagles Communications, the operating company of Heart of the Rockies Radio Group, said Rishavy’s local network of business, government and nonprofit leaders, and his reputation for community driven work, makes him an ideal leader to take the helm at the stations and continue a strong local presence in the listening area.
“Heart of the Rockies Radio Group is the epitome of community radio,” said Buchanan, who has served in his current role since 1996. Buchanan and CEO Rolland Johnson also owned radio stations in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Illinois. In 2014 the company’s Midwest group was sold, and Gary and his wife, Terri, moved to Chaffee County and took over the day-to-day operations of Heart of the Rockies Radio.
“It takes great people to make great local radio and I am very proud of the team of broadcast professionals who continue to make great local radio happen in Chaffee County,” Buchanan said.
“Gary and Terri have had remarkable radio careers over decades, and the opportunity to work and learn from them and their award winning team is one of the things that excites me so much about this opportunity.” said Rishavy. “When Gary and I first started talking and building a transition plan, his goal was for he and Terri to retire. I am excited to say that Gary has agreed to continue working with Heart of the Rockies Radio Group as a broadcast consultant to support what’s made these stations so successful over the many years of its history.”
