What is your life verse and why?
1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Anything can be overcome through love.
ANYTHING can be accomplished through love.
Hurts can be healed, differences can be cast aside, hearts can be saved through LOVE.
A genie gives you three wishes—what are they?
- I would wish I could sing like a cross between Lauren Daigle and Mariah Carey
- I would wish to eat dessert every night and it be completely calorie free!
- I would wish would be that each of my children would find spouses like their father. Godly, giving, nurturing, loving, hard-working, and so many other wonderful attributes! I have prayed for their future spouses since my kids were little. My daughter has found that in her husband and I pray for the same for my boys.
If you could time travel, when and where would you go?
I would totally go back to 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. The fashion, the pageantry and I’m just so intrigued by Queen Elizabeth and her reign for the past 70+ years! Plus, any chance to wear a tiara I’m totally down for!
What’s your favorite fast food chain?
Does Panera count?? LOVE IT
What was the first thing you wanted to be when you grew up?
An actress
If you were an animal, what animal would you want to be?
A Golden Doodle. Totally my personality! I want to cut up, love on people, and embrace my curly hair!
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bagels. Definitely Bagels.
What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of?
From the geek in me: I got to play in a celebrity softball game in 2018 and played on a team with Alfonso Ribeiro, Don Cheadle (WAR MACHINE!!!), Willie Robertson, etc were on. I, of course, played right field, but it was pretty amazing!
From a career standpoint, I had been in secular radio for 33 years and last year, prior to the pandemic, I was asked to become part of HIS Morning Crew with Rob and Lizz.
I had tried to be part of HIS Radio for years, but as always, God’s timing is perfect and in February 2020, I became part of HIS Morning Crew with Rob and Lizz.
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
At 3:30am I roll out of bed and roll right into a cup of coffee. Gotta get that cup of coffee before I do anything else!
Do you think iced coffee should only be consumed in the summer or all year round?
I like my coffee super hot. I always order it that way. Even when my Keurig gives me a cup a coffee, I put it in the microwave an extra 30 seconds. So no, no iced coffee. Ever.
What’s your favorite family tradition?
We always have Thanksgiving at our house. My side of the family, my husband’s side of the family and that is, generally, 30-35 people for Thanksgiving (and still growing). After eating all the ladies jump in our cars, head out for a cup of coffee and get started on a little Christmas shopping. We don’t stay out long, but we just head out to whatever store is open, cut up, shop, get some deals, and have fun!
Lizz Ryals
His Morning Crew, APD/ His Radio Network
CMB Silver Member Since 2020
lizz@hisradio.net
Life 102.5 has a heart for Madison! For the 4
Spirit 92.9 continued its commitment of blessing the central Minnesota community through intentional service projects. As the pandemic affected another year, station listeners rose to the challenge of uplifting and encouraging those feeling loss, loneliness, or burnout. Thanks to the help of generous listeners and business partners, Spirit 92.9 raised more than $8,000 in an online tip jar that blessed the staff at 19 local restaurants returning to work full time with huge tips during the Big Tip promotion. The restaurant workers were grateful for the visibility and appreciation. Numerous area teachers nominated by their students and families received special honor at the end of the school year with flowers and $500 VISA gift cards as part of “Thank A Teacher” organized by Spirit 92.9. In the fall, Spirit 92.9 partnered with two local ministries and provided free holiday meals to the community. During the ‘More Than A Meal’ event, the station worked with community members who donated enough to provide 6,000 meals and give help to people in need. Station team members also prepared and served meals together at the local homeless mission. At Christmastime, 11 community members wrote Spirit 92.9 and shared the story of someone they believed deserved some extra joy due to personal hardships. The individuals received $1000 to bless that person during Spirit 92.9’s Share The Joy promotion. Phone calls were made to hundreds of listeners to offer prayer and encouragement. Prayer support and a personal response is offered all year long.
Jim Campbell, Founder & Network President of Radio Training Network, Inc. began his radio career in commercial radio in Tennessee in 1964. In 1966 he moved his family to Lakeland, Florida to attend college, and upon graduation he joined the staff at First Assembly of God Church where he and the church launched in the mid 1970s the first Contemporary Christian Radio Station in the nation, WCIE-FM. The station grew in both market impression and influence not just in Lakeland, but around the country inspiring others to follow Jim’s lead. In 1989 Jim left the church and founded Radio Training Network, Inc. (RTN) and over the next 30+ years, he oversaw the acquisition and development of 40+ stations plus translators. With 130 team members, RTN stations serve the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and Missouri. These stations are well recognized in their respective markets thanks to the servant leadership of the staff, aggressive marketing, and a commitment to a strong emphasis on Jesus first. At present RTN has some two million listeners each week on air and approximately the same number online.
Andrea Kleid is a 24-year veteran of radio and records. She began her career working in Christian radio at WNLT in Cincinnati, and then moved onto WAY-FM in West Palm Beach working in programming and promotions. Her next stop took her to JOY-FM in Tampa where she served as the Promotions Director. In 2004, Andrea moved to Nashville to begin her music industry career in radio promotion under Grant Hubbard at Capitol CMG. In 2008, Andrea became the Vice President of Promotion at Word Label Group where she led one of the most successful and influential radio promotion teams in the Christian music industry. Through her signature brand of honesty, passion for Christian music, and focus on relationships, Andrea developed a reputation for successfully launching new artists’ careers including for KING and COUNTRY, NEEDTOBREATHE and Francesca Battistelli. This year, Andrea celebrates her fifth year as the President of her own company, Boxer Poet. An advocate for both radio and artists, Andrea continues to zealously host conversations around further representation for women and people of color on Christian radio.
Jason Sharp has a rich history with CCM radio and leadership. His early years at WONU/Chicagoland and The Bridge/Delaware gave flight to his passion for great programming and innovative promotions. As Program Director of WCQR/Johnson City and eventually the network PD for Positive Alternative Radio, Jason’s influence grew across the industry. In 2007, Jason joined the team at Northwestern Media as Program Director and then Station Manager of KTIS, Minneapolis/St Paul. In 2015, Jason furthered his formal education and earned his master’s degree in organizational leadership. Applying his leadership knowledge and skills to work, he now serves as Senior Vice President of Broadcasting at Northwestern Media’s 23 stations in 14 markets across ten states that service 1.5 million listeners each week. Jason also served Christian Music Broadcasters, first as a charter member and eventually as the lead of CMB’s educational track at Momentum for more than ten years. He then served as the organization’s board chairman from 2017-2020. Jason continues to inspire others within Christian media toward excellence and compassion through a Christ-centered attitude, education, and practical application.
In 1972, while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Orlando, Johnny Stone dreamt of a second kind of “air force,” that of radio. He took an overnight position at WDIZ-FM, the station where Z88.3 now stands. In the past 50 years of his career, Johnny’s work and personality raised the bar for other programmers in markets ranging from New York City, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Diego, Tampa, Atlanta, Tucson, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. During his stint as Program Director and Morning Show host at Star 99.1 New York, his team won the NAB Crystal Radio Award and CMB Station of the Year. Presently, Johnny serves as afternoon host with his wife, Stacey, at 91.9 WGTS in Washington D.C. winner of the 2021 NAB Marconi Award for Religious Station of the Year. Owner of StoneStudios, LLC. and as a 22-year veteran in Christian media, Johnny mentored several on-air talents. Today, along with his on-air role at WGTS, he mentors college students at CMBU, teaching and modeling the belief that “you have to win in the hallways to win on the airwaves.”
Lisa Williams was called to Christian radio while praying in 1990. She walked into KCVO in Camdenton, Missouri and started on the air that same week. Over the past 32 years, Lisa served in various roles in on-air, programming, fundraising, and station management at radio stations and networks including K-LOVE, Z88.3, Star 99.1, KCVO, and KCWN. As an on-air personality, Lisa earned several number one ratings in several markets and was the recipient of three industry awards. Lisa now serves as the Network Talent Coach for Northwestern Media, owner of 23 stations in 14 markets across ten states that service 1.5 million listeners each week. While at Northwestern, Lisa hosted the nationally syndicated show Life with Lisa Williams from 2016-2021. She stepped away from the show to focus on coaching more than 90 on-air talents, encouraging and nurturing them to shine the light of Christ through excellent radio. When she’s not coaching talent, Lisa helps stations raise money for their operations. She also hosts a Facebook group for women on-air in Christian radio called GodsRadioGirls and helps facilitate their annual retreat.