Silicon Valley has been enjoying the music on 94.5 Bay FM (KBAY) with Jona Denz-Hamilton since 1996. Jona combines her vast music knowledge with her experiences living in the South Bay. Her pleasant delivery and her friendliness make her the listening choice at work.
As a child, Jona and her family moved to Los Altos from Chicago where her parents had begun their careers in communications. Fascinated by the concept of radio as a young child, her passion grew in college, joining KFJC Foothill and becoming its first female Station Manager, in charge of 80 student broadcasters.
At 19, Jona began a 9-year stint at the legendary rocker, KOME in San Jose then moved up to programming KLRB in Monterey then KROY-FM in Sacramento. She returned to San Jose to get married and enjoyed a couple of years as the afternoon DJ on heritage pop station, KLOK until it was sold. That got her started with the KBAY family when she joined its then-sister station, Country KEEN.
In 1996, Jona was asked to take a spot on KBAY which evolved to 945 Bay FM. Lots of great experiences and relationships with listeners have been built over those years.
Jona has been committed to our local community for many years, volunteering and hosting charity events regularly. She’s an animal lover, enjoys gardening and old cars, and is a devoted mother of two sons who inspire her show’s humor! She and her family reside in San Jose’s Santa Teresa Foothills.
Jona has received the Gavilan Spirit Award and is a Morgan Hill Philanthropy Honoree.