Humor & Quirks
Thu, December 18, 2025
Mon, November 17, 2025
Wed, October 8, 2025
KETV Honors Long-Serving Business Manager Kathi Blaha as She Announces Retirement
//humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/12 .. ger-kathi-blaha-as-she-announces-retirement.html
Published in Humor and Quirks on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 19:45 GMT by KETV Omaha- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
KETV Honors Long‑Serving Business Manager Kathi Blaha as She Announces Retirement
In a heartfelt feature that ran on the KETV website, the local television station announced that Kathi Blaha, the station’s veteran business manager, will be retiring at the end of this year. The article, which is the first in a series of pieces celebrating the career of a woman who has guided the financial backbone of the station for over two decades, provides a detailed look at Blaha’s accomplishments, her role at KETV, and the sentiment of colleagues and viewers who have benefited from her stewardship.
A Career Built on Stability and Innovation
Blaha’s tenure at KETV began in 2001 when she joined the station as a junior accountant. Over the past 20 years, she advanced to the role of business manager, a position in which she oversaw all aspects of the station’s financial operations, from budgeting and payroll to procurement and risk management. The article stresses that Blaha’s leadership helped KETV weather several industry upheavals, including the transition from analog to digital broadcasting and the economic downturn of 2008.
According to the piece, Blaha has been a cornerstone of KETV’s expansion into digital media. She spearheaded the creation of a comprehensive online advertising strategy that now accounts for a significant portion of the station’s revenue. In 2015, she led the development of a multi‑channel budgeting system that increased transparency for both the newsroom and the board of directors. Her colleagues note that her meticulous approach to financial planning helped keep the station profitable even during lean years.
Personal Touch and Community Engagement
While the article leans heavily on Blaha’s professional achievements, it also delves into her personal style and her influence on KETV’s culture. Blaha is quoted as saying, “Every time I walk into the studio, I want to know that the people I’ve worked with are doing their best, and that the budget allows them to do that.” She is described as a “trusted advisor” by editors and producers alike, someone who “always puts the story first.”
Her involvement extends beyond the office walls. The feature lists several community initiatives she has championed, such as the station’s partnership with the local high school to provide internships in broadcasting and media production. Blaha’s passion for mentoring younger professionals is highlighted through a short video clip that aired on KETV’s social‑media pages, where she shares tips for newcomers entering the media industry.
The Retirement Celebration
KETV’s own newsroom organized a retirement ceremony in honor of Blaha’s service. The article includes a photo gallery from the event, which took place in the station’s main studio on the evening of March 12. The ceremony began with a brief speech by KETV’s general manager, who praised Blaha’s “commitment to excellence” and called her “the financial heart of our organization.”
In the emotional moment that followed, the newsroom leader presented Blaha with a custom‑engraved plaque and a framed copy of the station’s annual report from the year she joined. After the ceremony, a small reception was held in the back‑office space, where staff members shared anecdotes. One producer recounted the time Blaha “calculated a new advertising budget on the fly during a live break‑away segment,” a story that drew laughter and applause.
The article notes that Blaha will continue to live in the Omaha‑Nebraska area, where she plans to spend more time with her husband and their two adult children. She also mentioned that she intends to pursue her long‑time hobby of painting and will be exhibiting her work at a local gallery next spring.
Words from the Front Lines
In addition to the remarks from her direct supervisors, the piece contains quotes from reporters, camera operators, and technical crew who worked closely with Blaha over the years. A senior reporter noted, “She’s the quiet force that keeps the station running smoothly. When we’re in a crisis, she’s the first person to step up and find a solution.” A camera operator added, “Kathi’s willingness to listen and adapt has saved us more than once on tight deadlines.”
One segment of the article focuses on the “legacy” Blaha is leaving behind, specifically the financial templates and reporting structures she created. These tools, it says, “will serve as the standard operating procedures for the next generation of KETV staff.” The article links to an internal document repository that contains the “Financial Management Playbook,” a resource that will be made publicly available to other local stations as part of a community‑service initiative.
Contextualizing KETV’s Mission
The article briefly touches on KETV’s broader mission and history, providing links to the station’s official website and a “About Us” page that outlines its commitment to “inform, educate, and entertain.” By framing Blaha’s retirement within this mission statement, the piece underscores how her financial stewardship has helped the station remain a reliable source of local news and cultural programming.
A hyperlink leads readers to the station’s “Digital Innovation” section, which showcases KETV’s recent efforts to expand its online presence—an initiative that Blaha was instrumental in launching. Through that link, readers can view a series of articles detailing KETV’s partnership with local schools and the community’s reception to new digital services.
Acknowledging the Impact
Overall, the article presents Kathi Blaha not merely as a retired business manager but as a pillar of the KETV community whose influence will endure long after she steps down. The story concludes with a call to the viewers and listeners: “As we say goodbye to one of our own, we also look forward to the next chapter in KETV’s evolution—one that builds on the foundation laid by Blaha.”
The article is a fitting tribute to a woman whose dedication to fiscal responsibility, operational excellence, and community service left an indelible mark on the station. It also serves as a reminder of how behind every broadcast, there is a team of professionals like Blaha whose hard work keeps the lights on and the stories coming.
Read the Full KETV Omaha Article at:
[ https://www.ketv.com/article/ketv-celebrates-retirement-of-business-manager-kathi-blaha/69812308 ]
