Heart and soul: Krawchuk loves Culpeper

  Jonathan Krawchuk represents the face of Culpeper, and he has a real heart for his home-town, too.

  Station manager, cameraman and on-air personality at Culpeper Media Network, formerly Channel 21, Krawchuk – aka Jonny K – is the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce 2011 Young Professional of the Year, and rightly so considering his range of community service.

  Outgoing and dedicated with a winning smile and easy personality, Krawchuk is the real deal professionally, adapting with the times and thinking outside of the box to make the government-sponsored station the best it can be.

  At the recent chamber ceremony where he was presented the award, a humbled and surprised Krawchuk deflected the accolades, saying it was the Culpeper community who supported him.

   In heart-felt remarks, the Young Professional of the Year also recalled his mentor, the late great local media man Stan Karas, who ran Channel 21 for several years after a lifetime in the business.

  Three of Krawchuk’s peers nominated him for the award, including Kate Bradley, a seventh grade English teacher at Floyd T. Binns Middle School.

  “Jonathan truly loves Culpeper,” she wrote in her nomination form. “He is committed to highlighting all that the community has to offer through live broadcasts of town and county meetings, airing local high school football games or coverage of various nonprofit events.”

  Krawchuk can also be depended on to volunteer his time when not in front of or behind the camera.

  He serves or has served on various chamber of commerce committees, and was MC at the awards banquet. Krawchuk served on the Culpeper Renaissance board of directors, the Soap Box Derby Committee and has helped with the Third Thursday Concert Series.

  He is involved in such causes “to ensure that local events live up to expectations,” said Bradley.

  “He has never met a stranger and is always willing to lend a hand,” she said.

  Among recent career highlights was his live broadcast of demolition of the old earthquake-damaged Levy Building on Main Street. Krawchuk’s work the past year in transitioning Channel 21 to Culpeper Media Network resulted in a seamless change, Bradley added. 

  “His drive and determination have ushered Culpeper Media Network into the 21^st Century, and Culpeper is lucky to have him at the helm of its only government-access station,” she said.

  Jason Coppage, in his nomination form, said Krawchuk played an integral part in all chamber events and committees. The nominator also brought up Krawchuk’s effective portrayal of Santa Claus – “Enough said,” Coppage noted  – while complimenting his friend on being “wildly attractive.”

  Local designer Kelly Rozwadowski said Krawchuk has made Culpeper Media Network “a true community spotlight and a unique archive.”

  “He covers both large community events and smaller efforts, helping organizations reach a larger audience,” Rozwadowski said. “He is very generous with his time, and is working at every large event from Culpeper Days to CulpeperFest to the Third Thursday Concert Series.”

  A 1996 graduate of Culpeper County High School, Krawchuk studied communications at George Mason University and completed various media-related internships before working in radio at WKCW in Warrenton. In 2001, he returned to Culpeper where he hosted the C-103 morning show for three years.

  When Karas volunteered to fill the vacancy at Channel 21 in 2001, Krawchuk came on board as a freelance videographer. In 2004, he became full-time technical director. Krawchuk was appointed station manager in 2007 after Karas passed.