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Kim Komando
Kim Komando
Kim Komando
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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.

Key Information

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[2] 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

[edit]

Komando was raised in Watchung, New Jersey.[3]

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.[4] 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.[5] She graduated eighth grade from Watchung's Valley View School in 1978.[6] 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.[3][7] 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.[8][9] 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.[8][10][9]

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

Career

[edit]

Kim Komando started out in sales, working for IBM, AT&T and Unisys. At Unisys, she sold mainframe computer 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

In 1992, she formed "The Komando Corporation" with herself 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

[edit]

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 (2,200 m2) 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

[edit]

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. Kim is a car enthusiast with a collection of dozens of classic and exotic vehicles. She owns a 2025 Embraer Phenom 300 jet and an Azimut 50 Flybridge yacht.[citation needed]

Awards

[edit]
  • 2001: Arizona State University College of Business and SRP Spirit of the Enterprise Award[9]
  • 2006: Judy Jarvis Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Woman to Talk Radio, also known as "Woman of the Year" by Talkers Magazine.[25]
  • 2007: Gracie Individual Achievement Award for Outstanding Program Host.[2]
  • 2009: Speaker at Fortune Magazine's Most Powerful Women Summit.[26]
  • 2016: Keynote Speaker at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention in Las Vegas[27]
  • 2021: Radio Hall of Fame Inductee[21]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Kim Komando

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kim Komando is an American radio host, web entrepreneur, and commentator who delivers practical advice on computers, the , and digital to millions through her syndicated programs and online platforms. She founded WestStar MultiMedia Entertainment, Inc., in 1994 with her husband Barry Young, and operates from a facility in , producing content including radio shows, newsletters, e-books, and a column for . Known as "America's Digital Goddess," Komando's flagship program, The Kim Komando Show, is a three-hour weekend call-in show that airs on 425 radio stations nationwide, reaching approximately 6.5 million listeners weekly, while her Daily Tech Update provides brief tech news segments five days a week. Born and raised in , Komando graduated from high school at age 16 and earned a in Computer Information Systems from Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business in 1985 at age 19, where she was the only woman in her class. To finance her education, she taught and software classes; after graduating, she worked as a marketing representative at , an account manager at —earning multiple sales awards—and later at , where she closed an $11 million deal with a company in 1991. Komando launched her media career in 1992 with a late-night call-in radio show on Phoenix's KFYI-AM while still employed at , transitioning fully to by writing a computer column for the Arizona Business Gazette and producing a video series called Computer Tutor. Her work has earned accolades, including a Gracie Award for Outstanding Program Host in 2007 and Talkers Magazine's "" in 2009; she has also spoken at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit and established the Kim Komando CIS Scholarship at ASU to support women pursuing degrees, providing awards of up to $28,500 through her charitable trust. Komando and her husband have a son, Ian, born in 2000.

Early Life and Education

Childhood and Family Background

Kim Komando was born Kimberly Ann Komando on July 1, 1967, in . She grew up in , where her family provided an environment that sparked her early interest in technology. Her father, Richard Paul "Dick" Komando, was a management employee at , having served in the during the . Her mother, Virginia Dorothy Komando, worked as a senior at , where Komando often visited the office as a child and gained hands-on experience with computer terminals and early computing equipment, fostering her fascination with technology. The family dynamics emphasized education and professional development, with Komando demonstrating precocious academic ability by graduating from high school at the age of 16 in 1983. This early achievement highlighted her rapid intellectual growth and set the stage for her pursuit of higher education. During her late teens, following her high school graduation, Komando relocated from to to attend , a move that profoundly influenced her career trajectory by immersing her in a new environment where she would later establish her professional base.

Academic and Early Professional Training

Komando enrolled at after graduating high school early, completing her in Computer Information Systems from the W. P. Carey School of Business in 1985. She was notably young at the time of graduation, achieving the degree at age 19 according to some accounts, or 20 per others, having skipped grades earlier in her education. She was the only woman in her class, highlighting the male-dominated field at the time. During her college years, Komando financed her by establishing an early venture focused on providing computer and software training to individuals and small businesses, which honed her skills in explaining complex technology to non-experts. This hands-on experience built a foundation in practical tech , bridging her academic studies with real-world application. Following graduation, Komando entered the corporate sector in technology sales, initially working for companies like and before joining , where she sold systems to large corporate clients. At Unisys, she developed deep expertise in hardware and software solutions, notably closing a significant $11 million deal with a company in 1991. By 1992, while immersed in corporate tech sales, Komando recognized a growing gap in consumer access to technology education amid the rising popularity of personal computers, prompting her to pivot toward initiatives aimed at public tech literacy. This insight, drawn from her professional observations, set the stage for her later contributions to demystifying technology for everyday users.

Career

Technology Sales and Initial Ventures

After graduating from , Kim Komando entered the technology sales field, initially working for and before joining , where she focused on selling systems to large corporate clients. At , she honed her ability to explain complex concepts to non-experts, often being the only in her sales role, which sharpened her communication skills amid the evolving digital landscape of the late 1980s and early 1990s. A notable achievement during this period was closing an $11 million deal for a system to , a sale that highlighted her expertise in high-stakes corporate technology transactions. In the early , Komando transitioned from corporate sales to independent ventures, launching a business that offered workshops on personal computing tailored to consumers and small es. These sessions emphasized practical skills for navigating emerging technologies like DOS and basic PC operations, filling a gap for everyday users intimidated by rapid advancements. Drawing from her sales experience, she began with small groups, where she addressed diverse needs from beginners to business owners seeking efficiency tools. By 1992, Komando had a pivotal realization that the digital revolution would soon permeate daily life, creating a demand for accessible guidance distinct from enterprise-focused sales training. This insight led her to pivot toward consumer-oriented education, conducting local seminars and consultations that previewed her approachable style of demystifying . These pre-radio experiments, including pitches to computer stores and hands-on sessions, built her reputation for making tech relatable and empowered small firms to integrate computing without overwhelming jargon.

Radio Broadcasting

Kim Komando launched her radio career in with a late-night call-in show focused on computers, airing on Phoenix's 550 KFYI-AM, known as "The Valley's Talk Station." The program quickly gained traction by addressing consumer technology questions in an accessible manner, drawing from her background in tech sales to provide practical advice. As listener interest grew, Komando expanded the show beyond local broadcasts, transitioning to self-syndication in the mid-1990s. In 1994, Komando and her husband, Barry Young, established the WestStar TalkRadio Network to handle distribution independently, without reliance on traditional syndication companies. This model allowed for flexible growth, and by the late , the program had evolved into The Kim Komando Show, a three-hour weekend call-in format dedicated to everyday tech issues, reviews, and digital lifestyle tips. Complementing this are her daily radio segments, such as the Daily Tech Update, offering concise news and advice on . The shows emphasize interactive elements, with callers seeking guidance on topics like cybersecurity, smart home devices, and software glitches. In October 2025, Komando emceed the induction ceremony. Today, The Kim Komando Show reaches an estimated 6.5 million weekly listeners across more than 420 U.S. stations, making it one of the largest weekend radio programs in the country. It is also broadcast internationally via the Armed Forces Radio Network, extending to 177 countries and serving U.S. and their families abroad. The podcast versions of these programs, available on major platforms, reinforce the call-in format by delivering on-demand episodes that continue to attract audiences interested in straightforward consumer tech solutions.

Television, Online Media, and Publications

Komando expanded her reach into television with the premiere of The Kim Komando Television Show on on January 5, 2019. The one-hour program features call-in segments where viewers discuss trends, consumer advice, and practical solutions for digital challenges. Her online platform, Komando.com, established in the mid-1990s as one of the early consumer websites, provides daily tech news, tips, and resources. The site integrates with her newsletter offerings, including The Current, a daily tech update. Komando has authored nine books on consumer technology topics, such as guides and digital advice, including titles like Komando's and Guide. She has contributed a syndicated technology column to since February 2002, offering practical insights on gadgets, , and online trends. Additionally, she writes columns for , covering topics like cybersecurity and smart home devices. Complementing these efforts, Komando produces digital content through podcasts like the daily Kim Komando Daily Tech Update and Kim Komando Today, which deliver bite-sized advice on emerging technologies and privacy. Video extensions include livestreams and on-demand clips on her YouTube channel, aired three times weekly and embedded across Komando.com for seamless access.

Business Enterprises

In 1994, Kim Komando co-founded WestStar MultiMedia Entertainment, Inc., with her husband Barry Young, establishing their initial broadcast studio in Phoenix, Arizona. The company, which serves as the parent entity for her media operations, is headquartered in a 24,000-square-foot multimedia production facility in central Phoenix, designed for radio, video, and digital content creation. Komando and Young also own the Phoenix-based WestStar TalkRadio Network, through which they self-syndicate her radio programs, enabling independent distribution without reliance on third-party networks. This structure has allowed WestStar to maintain control over content production and monetization, supporting the broadcast of shows like The Kim Komando Show on over 420 U.S. stations and internationally via the Armed Forces in 177 countries. Beyond core media syndication, WestStar's revenue streams encompass tech product endorsements integrated into Komando's broadcasts and online content, as well as consumer advice services delivered through newsletters, e-books, and the Komando.com , which provide paid digital resources and premium tips to subscribers. Under Komando's leadership, the business evolved from a local late-night on Phoenix's KFYI-AM in to a national and international powerhouse, expanding syndication reach to millions of weekly listeners while diversifying into digital platforms for sustained growth.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Kim Komando is married to Barry Young, a fellow media professional who serves as her and co-founder of WestStar MultiMedia Entertainment, Inc. The couple has one son, Ian Young, born in 2000, and they maintain a strong emphasis on privacy, rarely sharing personal details about their home life publicly. Komando and Young split their time between homes in multiple locations, including , where they operate broadcast studios to support their media operations. Young plays a key role in the business operations of their joint ventures, including production and management aspects of Komando's radio and enterprises.

Interests and Philanthropy

Komando has demonstrated a commitment to through targeted support for and community initiatives. In 2018, she established the Kim Komando CIS Scholarship via her to empower women pursuing careers in technology at Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business. The scholarship targets female students majoring in Computer Information Systems with a minimum GPA of 3.5, providing $11,875 to in-state recipients and $28,500 to out-of-state ones to cover tuition and foster in the field. This contribution earned her recognition as "America's Digital Goddess" by ASU, highlighting her role as an influential figure in tech media and her dedication to advancing opportunities for women in STEM. The endowment underscores her personal journey as an ASU alumna in computer information systems, aiming to remove financial barriers and promote diversity in a male-dominated industry. Beyond education, Komando has supported religious and community causes, including a $100,000 lead gift in 2021 to the Mount Claret Retreat Center's capital campaign in Phoenix. The donation aided renovations to the Catholic retreat facility, contributing to its $1.5 million goal for preserving a space dedicated to spiritual reflection and renewal. Komando balances her demanding career in and with private pursuits, maintaining a low-profile lifestyle centered in Phoenix, where she operates from a 24,000-square-foot facility.

Recognition and Legacy

Major Awards

In 2007, Kim Komando received the Gracie Award for Outstanding Program Host from the Alliance for Women in Media, an honor recognizing women's significant achievements in and celebrating their contributions to . This accolade highlighted her innovative work as a syndicated radio host delivering consumer technology advice to a national audience. In 2009, Komando was named "" by Talkers Magazine, acknowledging her influential role in advancing through her self-syndicated program that reached millions of listeners weekly. The award underscored her pioneering status as a female voice in the male-dominated field of radio commentary on technology topics. Komando's induction into the in 2021 marked a career milestone, celebrating her more than 25 years of self-syndicated success as one of America's most trusted technology experts on air. The honor, presented by the , recognized her enduring impact on radio syndication and her ability to demystify complex tech issues for everyday audiences. In 2017, Komando was nominated for the (NAB) Marconi Radio Award in the Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year category, a prestigious recognition of excellence in radio programming and on-air talent. This nomination affirmed her standing among top syndicated personalities for her engaging, informative broadcasts distributed across hundreds of stations.

Industry Impact and Honors

Kim Komando has significantly influenced the and sectors through her speaking engagements, where she emphasizes consumer education on emerging digital technologies. In 2016, she delivered the address at the (NAB) Show Radio Luncheon, sharing insights from her career to inspire broadcasters on adapting to digital shifts and empowering audiences with practical tech knowledge. Her contributions extend to thought leadership in and . As a trailblazing female self-syndicated radio host, Komando pioneered a model that built a empire starting in 1995, integrating radio with , newsletters, and branded products, which has served as a blueprint for women in the industry. Komando's cultural recognition underscores her status as a trusted tech authority. She has been featured as the answer to a question, highlighting her prominence in popular media. With over 30 years of experience since launching her show in 1992, her programs reach an estimated 6.5 million weekly listeners across more than 420 U.S. stations and extend globally to 177 countries via the Armed Forces Radio Network, providing ongoing consumer empowerment amid digital transformations through 2025. In October 2025, she served as for the Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony, further affirming her enduring influence in the industry.

References

  1. https://www.komando.com/about-kim/
  2. https://1320wils.com/personalities/kim-komando
  3. https://www.komando.com/the-show/
  4. https://news.wpcarey.asu.edu/20180912-americas-digital-goddess-gives-back-cis-women
  5. https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/kim-komando/
  6. https://www.computerhope.com/people/kim_komando.htm
  7. https://www.nndb.com/people/065/000365964/
  8. https://www.aarp.org/personal-technology/kim-komando-tech/
  9. https://radioink.com/2017/06/02/computers-life-radio-love/
  10. https://azmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Arizona-Media-Icon-Lunch-2025-Honorees-5.pdf
  11. https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/komando-to-be-inducted-in-asus-alumni-hall-of-fame%2C246637
  12. https://kmmsam.com/author/billingskimkomando/
  13. http://talietta.50webs.com/portfolio/wtdy/komando.htm
  14. https://khow.iheart.com/featured/kim-komando/
  15. https://www.ksgf.com/show/kim-komando/
  16. https://kmmsam.com/show/tech-show-with-kim-komando/
  17. https://www.radiohalloffame.com/kim-komando
  18. https://radioink.com/2025/10/16/kim-komando-to-host-2025-radio-hall-of-fame-induction/
  19. https://www.komando.com/listen/
  20. https://radioink.com/2018/12/10/kim-komando-to-air-on-bloomberg-tv/
  21. https://www.komando.com/tv/
  22. https://talkers.com/2024/09/03/komando-newsletter-offers-fellow-broadcasters-revenue-generating-opportunity/
  23. https://aginginplace.com/trust-americas-digital-goddess/
  24. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/im-tech-expert-you-need-make-tech-changes-now-before-its-too-late
  25. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-current-powered-by-kim-komando/id660921339
  26. https://www.youtube.com/kimkomando
  27. https://www.komando.com/video/news/youn-ian/
  28. https://kxly920.com/kim-komando/
  29. https://constructionreporter.com/phoenix-building-former-home-of-kim-komando-radio-show-is-on-the-market/
  30. https://www.catholicsun.org/2021/02/22/mount-claret-retreat-center-kicks-off-capital-campaign-with-100k-lead-gift/
  31. https://www.nab.org/documents/newsroom/pressRelease.asp?id=3833
  32. https://www.radiohalloffame.com/news/2021/8/24/announcing-the-2021-inductees
  33. https://www.nab.org/documents/newsroom/pressRelease.asp?id=4193
  34. https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/kim-komando-never-ever-give-up
  35. https://radioink.com/2016/06/20/digital-lessons-kim-komando/
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