President’s Corner
by Janice Reid
Greetings! Umpqua Watersheds continues to grow as an organization, and we continue to add programs, events, activities, and board members. I am pleased to introduce our newest board member and chair of the KQUA Radio Committee, John Dyer V. John is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Marist School and Dekalb College, and he later studied Drama at the Catholic University of America and Media Studies at Glendale Community College. Having lived in Los Angeles for 25 years, he and his husband Jim moved to Winston, OR, in 2022 to be near Jim’s children and grandchildren. John enjoyed an early career in the Service Industry and then moved into Executive Administration and Commercial Real Estate while maintaining an active interest in writing and performing. He is a current member of the SAG-AFTRA performers union. Since 2005, he has produced segments for one of the longest continually running LGBTQ+ radio programs, This Way Out, where he also co-anchors the news. He has since become a board member and treasurer for the show’s production entity, Overnight Productions, and is thrilled that the program is now being broadcast on KQUA! John’s work with this non-profit group, his passionate interest in social justice for all, and his lifelong love of natural habitats and their preservation make him a perfect ally for his present work. Since arriving in Oregon, he was drawn to Umpqua Watersheds and KQUA. He is thrilled to be our newest board member and Radio Committee chairman. He looks forward to helping, learning, and growing with this special group of incredibly talented and dedicated citizen activists.
He launched his show, “Soundtrack Rhapsody with JD5,” which now airs every Sunday at 3pm on KQUA 99.7 FM. We are genuinely thrilled to have John as part of Umpqua Watersheds and KQUA, and we eagerly anticipate his ongoing contributions to preserving the unique beauty of the Umpqua region.
We are continuing to seek new board members and committee chairs. Please consider participating in the organization. A few hours a month or more can make a big difference for the planet, as well as, your mental and physical well-being. For more information, email janice@umpquawatersheds.org or melanie@umpquawatersheds.org.
