Board Chair • Jason Sharp, Northwestern Media
Since graduating from Olivet Nazarene University in 1993, Jason Sharp has devoted his life’s work to the calling placed on his heart at the age of 18, to passionately serve God through the ministry of Christian radio. Jason and his family followed that call in 2007 when they moved to Minnesota in order to be a part of the Northwestern family. Jason currently serves as Sr. Vice President for Media, overseeing all of Northwestern Media’s properties and brands.
Vice Chair • Grant Hubbard, Grant Hubbard LLC (Nashville)
Grant Hubbard began his Christian radio career in 1982 as a part-time disc jockey in Nederland, Texas. From that job, he graduated to a full-time on air position in Monument, Colorado. Through the years, he filled many different roles in radio, Mid-day announcer, Afternoon drive, Music Director and, finally, Program Director. In 1990 Grant moved to Nashville to work as a radio promoter for the biggest label in Christian music, Word Records. In 1997 Grant accepted a position at Sparrow Label Group, eventually to become Capitol Christian Music Group, as Sr. Director of National Promotion, and one year later was promoted to Vice President of National Promotion. In 2019 he departed Capitol Christian Music Group and went out on his own to begin and build Grant Hubbard LLC. He is working in that capacity today, consulting record labels, promoting songs and working with artists to help them reach their maximum exposure and success through Christian radio.
Secretary • Chris Lemke, Lemke Media Partners (Grand Rapids)
Chris began his radio career 40 years ago at WCSG/Grand Rapids, finishing his time there as its Executive Director. In June of 2021, he formed Lemke Media Partners and began work partnering and coaching other station personnel in various roles. In 2011 and as interim executive director of CMB, Chris led the charge to restructure and retool the organization. He and his bride of 36 years, Susan, live in Grand Rapids. They have six children, three of whom are married, and five grandchildren.
Executive Director • Michelle Younkman, CMB
Originally from Tulsa, Michelle Younkman has worked with radio & records in some capacity since 1988. She was invited to join the CMB team in 2011 and currently serves as the Executive Director for Christian Music Broadcasters. Michelle and her husband Dave have 3 children and live in Little Rock, AR.
Matt Austin, KCBI (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
Matt Austin is the GM and VP of Operations for KCBI, Dallas/Ft Worth. Matt began his career in general market radio in Lexington, KY. In 1997 he joined WAY-FM as Network Program Director and then SE Regional Manager in Nashville. Matt moved to KCBI in December of 2012 where he has enjoyed working with a world-class team. He has a passion for discipleship, reading (especially on leadership), travel and baseball. Matt is married to Denise, and they have eight grandchildren!
Tim Dukes, Hope Media Group
Tim Dukes spent 24 years in secular media and markets that include Chicago, Atlanta, San Diego, and Tampa before answering God’s call to vocational ministry in 2011. He joined WayFM as General Manager of its new station in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2015 and added regional responsibility in 2019 for Way Media properties in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Indiana. In 2020, Tim was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and added interim CEO responsibilities a year later. When Way Media and Hope Media Group merged in May 2022, he became the new organization’s COO, and assumed the role of President in August 2024. Tim and his wife Susan were married in 1989 and live in Dallas, as does their adult daughter, Macy.
Dave Gordon, Life 88.5 (Kansas City)
Dave has served Northwestern Media as Station Manager in Kansas City since launching Life 88.5 in 2013. Previously, Dave led Bethesda Christian Broadcasting as Executive Director and Salem Communications’ San Antonio cluster as Market Manager. Additionally, he served with broadcast teams in Chicago, Tulsa, and Terre Haute. Dave’s passion for uplifting others is infectious. Dave and his bride, Kerry, have two adult sons and a grandson who calls him Poppy.
Channah Hanberg, CRISTA Media (KCMS, KWPZ & KCIS)
Channah Hanberg is a 20+ year veteran of the media industry, presently holding the position of VP of Media and CRISTA Media. Her journey in media commenced in television, progressing into roles as a buyer/planner within advertising agencies before joining CRISTA Media in 2008. Throughout her time with CRISTA, Channah has excelled in various capacities serving in Digital Management, Sales Management and General Manager before assuming her role as VP of Media. Channah is married to a fellow radio professional Tyler Hanberg, and together they are parents to two children, Hadley and Dax. Channah is passionate about Media as a powerful tool to share the love of Jesus with a wide audience to beautifully spread the gospel message.
Troy Kriechbaum, Encouragement Media Group (Tyler)
Troy’s passion for pointing people to Jesus through Christian music shaped his formative years and he got his start in radio spinning vinyl from DeGarmo & Key, Petra and Rez Band on the Baylor University station. Over three decades later, he serves as President/CEO of Encouragement Media Group (14 years) in Tyler, Texas. Encouragement Media Group includes KVNE (CCM), Lift Worship (Worship), Fuzión (Spanish Christian Music), The Well (Bible Teaching), Modo Vida (Spanish Bible Teaching) and Evergreen (Christmas). Troy married Teresa, his college sweetheart, 30 years ago and they have two married children, a college student, a high schooler, a precious grand girl and a grandbaby on the way.
Matt McNeilly, WMBI
Matt fell in love with Christian music at an early age, growing up in Southern California under Pastor Chuck Smith and Maranatha Music. He moved to Northern California after attending Calvary Chapel Bible college where he found a passion for Christian Radio. His drive for excellence on-air and in ministry has led him to serve several stations and networks including WAYFM, ReachFM and CSN International. While his skills include on-air talent, programming, and operations, he shines at equipping others to excel in their gifts. Almost 30 years later, God is allowing Matt to lead as Station Manager of Moody Radio’s legacy radio station WMBI in Chicago. When he is not leading his team, he can be found with his wife, Kelly and their 3 boys, Noah, Isaiah, and Canon.
John Owens, Blue Ridge Broadcasting
John Owens began his radio career during high school in Florida working in Country radio. He gave his life to Christ in Providence, RI, when he was hosting a morning show on WCTK and continued in that format until he was called to be the Network Program Director and Morning Show Host for the Family Life Network, NY & PA, 1997-2008. He then served as Operations Manager of 89.7 WMHK, Columbia, SC, from 2008 until being called in 2015 to serve as General Manager of Blue Ridge Broadcasting, The Light FM, (founded by Billy and Ruth Graham) with studios located in Asheville, NC. John and his wife, Tamara, have been married for 31 years with three sons, three daughter-in-law’s and two grandchildren. John was named one of “The 30 Best Managers in Radio”, Radio Ink 2020.
David Pierce, K-LOVE & Air1
David serves as K-LOVE & Air1’s Chief Media Officer and has been in leadership there since the early ’90s. He was a founding member of KLTY/Dallas, enjoyed time at KSBJ/Houston, and continues to serve at K-LOVE & Air1.
He is married to Libby (recently celebrated 38 years together) and have three children and three grandchildren.
Experiencing and sharing the reality of Jesus in our lives continues to motivate David to serve alongside so many wonderful and gifted industry professionals who are a part of the CMB community.
Jeff Twilley, The Bridge (WKNZ)
Jeff started his radio career in the early 1990’s and eventually joined Delmarva Broadcasting Company where he spent over 22 years in operation. During his tenure, he had the opportunity to work 5 of those years with the parent company Steinman Communication’s Pennsylvania newspaper and print divisions. In 2019 he decided to take a leap of faith and move over to CCM radio where he came to call The Bridge his home. Jeff is married to his wife of 20 years, Karen. They live in Lewes, Delaware with their two teenage children.
