Afternoon DJ
Chad Dukes
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
Working at Home Depot. I have no backup plan.
Who do you most admire?
Broadcasters who aren’t afraid to speak their mind in the current political climate this country finds itself in.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“I hate everyone I work with.”  “Please stop screaming about pho.” “You’re not a foodie. You just like food. We all like food.”  “I get it, you like soccer.”
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to turn down a nice slice of pizza
What is your superhuman power?
I can drink an enormous amount domestic light beer. Like a disgusting amount.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Owning dogs. They are better than people.
If you died and came back as another person or thing, what would it be?
I really don’t know, but I would need to have an alien symbiote bonded to my mortal form.
What quality do you most admire in another person?
Being polite. We live in a society. Don’t be a dick.

Broadcast Beat Reporter
Pat Collins
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
If I weren’t doing TV news … I would like to be vice president of the United States. You get a big house, your own plane, tickets to all the big events, a chance to meet all sorts of interesting people. And if something goes wrong, everyone blames the president.
When and where were you the happiest?
My four years at Notre Dame: tremendous freedom, very little responsibility, great parties, great friends and some pretty good football teams back then too.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be more tech savvy and have my fingers dance around a computer like a 20-something.
What is your superhuman power?
I think deep down inside I have a pretty good bullshit detector.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I was one of the founders of The Observer, the student paper at Notre Dame. It’s a daily. It’s still publishing and it’s self sustaining, which is more than you can say about a lot of newspapers today.
What is your most treasured possession?
An official Pat Collins Snow Stick.

Evening Female News Anchor
Doreen Gentzler
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
When I realized that reporters get paid to ask questions.
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
A chef or a landscape architect.
When and where were you the happiest?
My 20s were pretty fun … but maybe the best is yet to come.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Ability to make people laugh.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would be a natural athlete.
What is your superhuman power?
Still waiting for it to be revealed.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Raising two amazing young adults.
What is your most treasured possession?
My late grandmother’s engagement ring. She had nine grand-daughters, and I’m honored that she shared it with me.

Evening Male News Anchor
Jim Vance
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
Sitting in a cabin in Montana or a beach house in Belize, writing.
When and where were you the happiest?
Right here, right now.
You’re on a deserted island with plenty of food and water—what three things do you bring?
Miles’ “All Blues,” Advil, pen and paper.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Johnny Hartman’s pipes.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Good Lord! Where do I begin?
What is your superhuman power?
The sense to know I don’t have one.
What is your most treasured possession?
Another day. There is no “thing” I have that I couldn’t do without.

Local Athlete
Alex Ovechkin
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
Basketball player.
Who do you most admire?
My parents.
When and where were you the happiest?
I’m always happy.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Play music.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Playing in the NHL and winning World Championships for my country.
What is your most treasured possession?
Family.

Local Author
Richard Kirkland
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
I started writing stories as a child. When I was a lad of 10, I won a Memorial Day writing contest honoring soldiers. It was then that I had a desire to become an author. Later I wrote about my experiences in “Tales of a War Pilot,” “Tales of a Helicopter Pilot,” “Mash Angels” and “War Pilot.” I then decided to write a novel based on my life, called “Wide Place in the Road.” I’m currently writing my autobiography.
Who do you most admire?
As an author I admire F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Super,” “cheers” and “He (or she) is as goer.”
When and where were you the happiest?
Playing games with the clouds when I was a pilot flying a helicopter.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Probably, surviving  two wars.
If you died and came back as another person or thing, what would it be?
A seagull because they are beautiful fliers.
What quality do you most admire in another person?
Unique talent.

Local Band
The Legwarmers
Gordon Gartrell (lead guitar, vocals)
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
The first time I saw Marty McFly playing “Johnny Be Good” at the Enchantment Under The Sea dance.
Which talent would you most like to have? David Lee Roth’s jump split kick

Chet Reno (Bass, vocals)
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
I’d like to be the guy who picks out which girls get backstage passes for Poison.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? I once got the high score on the Galaga machine at Time Out arcade at Springfield Mall (RIP).

Cru Jones (Guitar, vocals)
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
August 1, 1981, the launch date of MTV. Somewhere around, “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.”

Cyndi Sindee (vocals)
Who do you most admire?
My mom. When other kids were listening to “The Gingerbread Man,” I was listening to “Parallel Lines” and falling in love with Blondie.

Clarence McFly (saxophone)
What is your most treasured possession?
My spandex collection. It’s extensive.

Captain Morgan Pondo (keyboards)
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
As a representative of all mankind, I would have to say that putting flint to steel would be my, and humanity’s, greatest contribution to the world for, without this simple “spark-creating” idea that we take for granted, The Boss would have never been able to pen “Dancing in the Dark,” nor would “St. Elmo’s Fire” ever seen the light of day, though we would have all been spared “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” I think the wheel, which inspires my performance of Journey’s “Wheel in the Sky,” would be my next greatest personal achievement.

Lavaar Huxtable (drums)
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The destruction of a Simmons SDS V riot shield pad.

Local Chef
Chef Raffaele @ Pazzo Pomodoro
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
9 years old, cooking with Mama
Who do you most admire?
Fabio Cannavoro, Naples soccer player
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Not too much salt!”
When and where were you the happiest?
As a young boy by the sea in Naples
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be taller
What is your superhuman power?
Driving like Michael Schumacher
If you died and came back as another person or thing, what would it be?
Federico Fellini.

Local Coach
Barry Trotz, coach of Washington Capitals
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
When I hurt my back playing at the University of Manitoba for Wayne Fleming and knew I wouldn’t be able to play anymore. He asked me to come on as assistant coach. I knew that summer that this was something I wanted to pursue.
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
I would probably be in sales or some sort of community relations.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Swear words and “umm.”
Which talent would you most like to have?
Probably be able to play music, a guitar if I could.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I want to be taller.
If you died and came back as another person or thing, what would it be?
Definitely Bobby Orr.
What is your most treasured possession?
Family, but an object would be a jersey from Stan Mikita, 1969 All Star Game.

Morning DJ
Kane Show
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
The minute I walked into the station to start my internship at 16. I had to beg my parents to let me borrow their car, drive an hour, all to answer phones, arrange music and wash vans at a Top-40 station in Connecticut.
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
Probably an airline pilot.
Who do you most admire?
My father. He’s the guy who always has the answer to everything.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Probably  “JOOOHHHNNNN!” I feel like he’s me 10 years ago. You know, before you get married, have kids and a grown-up filter.
You’re on a deserted island with plenty of food and water—what three things do you bring?
A boat, something to get on the Internet and plenty of fuel to get off the island and find another island with people.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could dance.
What is your superhuman power?
Multitasking. Live radio leaves no room for mistakes or time to “think about something.”
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My marriage is my greatest achievement.
If you died and came back as another person or thing, what would it be?
Why do I have to die?
What is your most treasured possession?
Our fans and listeners first and foremost. Followed closely by the people I get to work with everyday. 
What quality do you most admire in another person?
Altruism.

Morning Female News Anchor
Eun Yang
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
One day when I was a young girl, I was watching the news and thought, “I want to do what that woman is doing someday.” I think Maureen Bunyan was anchoring.
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
Rock star.
Who do you most admire?
My parents are my heroes. They’ve taught me to live by faith and have shown me immeasurable love and support. I would be nothing without them.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Ding dang” is my signature phrase.
You’re on a deserted island with plenty of food and water—what three things do you bring?
A guitar with instruction manual, complete works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, collection of all my photographs.
What is your superhuman power?
I can read minds. Ask my kids.
If you died and came back as another person or thing, what would it be?
I’m not coming back!

Morning Male News Anchor
Aaron Gilchrest
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
I was 16 years old and was invited to host a live call-in TV program for the Richmond public school system about voter registration. By the end of the program, I had sweated so badly that my shirt was soaking wet. At that moment I thought, “I want to be a broadcaster.”
Who do you most admire?
Right now, I’ve come to admire my 31-month-old godson. He lives a life of perpetual awe and discovery. He’s inspired me to remember the potential that each day holds and to slow down and appreciate it.
When and where were you the happiest?
Nothing warms my heart more than seeing kids excel. Whether it’s a little one reading or an older kid giving their first speech or teenager walking again after a terrible accident, I love to see young people work hard and win.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I really wish I could sing. My friends and coworkers probably wish I would stop trying.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I was the first in my family to go to college. I remember the pride on my granddad’s face. Making him so proud was my greatest achievement.
What quality do you most admire in another person?
Candor.

On-Field Sports Reporter
Dan Kolko
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
When I realized (around the age of 14) that I had no shot of actually playing sports professionally.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“That’s what she said.” My friends hate how much I use it.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could draw/paint/play an instrument. Something artsy.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Wish I was a bit more adventurous.
What is your superhuman power?
Uhhh, I cook a good steak. Does that count?
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Honestly, being a daily part of a Major League Baseball TV broadcast is a pretty big achievement for me.
What is your most treasured possession?
I got a baseball signed by legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully last year. That’s pretty special to me.

Sports Anchor
Dianna Russini
If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?
Lawyer. I like to argue.
Who do you most admire?
My best friend, Maj. Sheila Carlson. She’s completed eight tours flying C130s to the Middle East and will be returning again. She’s considered to be one the best female pilots in the country.
You’re on a deserted island with plenty of food and water—what three things do you bring?
My producers because they are the only people in this world that can deal with me and solve my problems. An iPhone. And my George Mason University Women’s Soccer sweatshirt.
What is your superhuman power?
I forgive quickly. I don’t hold grudges. Ask my siblings. They take full advantage of it.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
When my photographer Chris Kerwin, who worked with George Michael for years, told me I was a great reporter and that George would have really liked my style.

Weatherman
Doug Kammerer
Moment you knew this was the career you wanted:
I have known I wanted to be a meteorologist since the age of 8.
When and where were you the happiest?
I am always the happiest during a big snowstorm working or on a beach somewhere with a drink in my hand.
You’re on a deserted island with plenty of food and water—what three things do you bring?
I would bring a radar, an axe and a good knife.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be able to remember the words to songs.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I was a better morning person.
If you died and came back as another person or thing, what would it be?
I would come back as a young Derek Jeter.
What quality do you most admire in another person?
I admire those that say what is on their mind and do what they say they are going to do.

 

(June 2015)