What is your life verse and why?
My life verse that my parents gave me was Joshua 1:9. I’m still on a journey discovering my own life verse, but one that has always stood out to me is Job 33:26-30 (The Message Translation)
What’s your most prized possession and why?
My dad read through an entire study Bible for each of his kids and presented us our own when we turned 16. He made notes specifically for what he thought the Holy Spirit wanted to point out to me + wrote comments in the margins. In the back, he had each one of my grandparents (and even a couple of my then-living great grandparents) write notes regarding my faith to me. Some of the notes were written when I was just 4 years old. Since several of those grandparents have passed now, it’s unexplainable how impactful those notes about their own faith and then relating to mine have been. It’s the most intentional and special gift I’ve ever received.
What are you most proud of in the last year?
There are so many things…
Personally, I am really proud of learning how to be a homeowner, dog mom, and a healthier person mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically—really focusing on my whole self.
Professionally, I am honestly so proud of our team. There have been a lot of obstacles (work from home, onboarding new team members, juggling so many songs + promotions…) and we have remained unified, positive, and motivated. We’ve come together when it would be easier to only think of yourself, and I think that’s pretty extraordinary.
Do you sleep with a top sheet? Why or why not?
I love this question!! I do and my husband does not. I’m always cold + I don’t like the thought of dirtying my comforter.
If you could have any zoo animal as a pet, which would it be?
An otter! They are so happy and consistently playful.
What would be the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery?
Calculate how much is going to be taken out by taxes… seriously.
Do you hit the snooze button or wake up immediately?
I’m a chronic snoozer… I’ve been known to snooze two separate alarms, 5 minutes apart, for as long as 2 hours. I know, I’m terrible. Don’t ever room with me.
How would your 10-year-old self react to what you do now?
Wow!! My 10-year-old self would: 1. Be super confused as to what it is I actually do, because I had never heard of this job until I was already in the industry and 2. Totally geek out. I am literally, truly living MY dream.
What was the best vacation you ever took and why?
For our one year wedding anniversary, Cole, my husband, surprised me with a trip to Rhode Island. He planned the entire thing, got us tickets to see Hamilton, and we toured some of the first mansions in America. The city was very small, so we would ride bikes and scooters everywhere. It was like we were in our own world for the weekend + it was even more special that he planned out every detail of it.
How old were you when you started working?
I started working at 16 at a Justice clothing store. Six months later I transferred to an Ace Hardware and stayed for 3 years. I loved it.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
WAITRESSING. I have so much respect for those in food service. I was awful at it. If you want specific stories that will make you laugh, I got you.
Rachael Hession
Manager, National Promotion, Capitol CMG
rachael.hession@umusic.com
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.