10 Questions with ... Wally Decker

NAME:Wally Decker TITLE:GM/Programming Dir STATION:WBFJ MARKET:Winston-Salem/Greensboro COMPANY:Triad Family Network BORN:Binghamton, NY, 1965 RAISED:All over North Carolina (Preacher's kid)

Brief Career Synopsis:

Got my start at age 15. Went to work for WBFJ in 1983 when I came to town to go to college and I came on full time in 1994 just prior to the launching of our FM station.

1) What was your first job in the industry? Did you have any mentors early on?

Overnights and weekends at WWMO, a 100,000 watt Southern Gospel station. I was trained and mentored by Don League, a blind man who had the entire studio in Braille. He has gone on to manage a few stations for BBN. His unique perspective definitely gave me a great insight to the finer points of the job.

2) You cover the afternoon slot. What does your routine for prep include?

I am on the air from 1-4, mostly voice-tracked, due to the duties of a GM/PD. My prep sources are She Prep, RNR News, and of course, life itself.

3) What has been your favorite promotion in the past year at your station?

THE WBFJ CICI'S PIZZA PLEDGE. It puts us in a public school classroom almost every week and what an opportunity!

4) Who is your favorite on-air personality NOT at your station?

Lisa Williams, K-LOVE

5) What does Christian radio need to do to break through to a mass audience on a more consistent basis?

Stop accepting second-rate anything (talent, music, production, etc.). We should be meeting the needs of our listeners on a daily basis, serving them beyond what any other media outlet can provide.

6) What are the greatest challenges in your job?

Limited signal strength and personnel issues

7) And what are the greatest rewards in your job?

We have been blessed with a great team and knowing that we are making a difference in people's lives everyday. It's definitely THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!

8) If you were just starting in radio today, and you knew what you know now, would you continue forward?

Yes, I would spend more time getting to know people, becoming a better face-to-face communicator and have a greater embrace of technology.

9) If you could have any other job outside radio, what would it be?

Teaching! I come from a long line of educators. My wife is a teacher and it's in my blood, too. It's a rush!

10) Any favorite artist run-ins? Highlights from a promotion or interview?

Playing basketball with Michael O'Brien, paintball with Jody McBrayer, skiing with Aaron Shust and spending a beautiful afternoon riding shotgun in a convertible with Layton Howerton.

1) Do you read everything or nothing? Do you have any favorite magazines, books, newspapers?

I read as much as I can. Shorter reads are often better. Favorite authors are Philip Yancey, John Eldridge, Alan Wright, Rob Bell and Dave Burchett.

2) What music is in your CD player/on your iPod right now?

"The Heat" by Needtobreathe

3) Cat or dog person?

Dog

4) Describe your favorite meal:

Homemade Chicken & dumplings, fresh corn on the cob, stewed tomatoes and coconut cream pie

5) What is your favorite quote?

"IF" by Rudyard Kipling. Take the entire poem.

6) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you and why?

My family (to prevent loneliness), the Bible (the older I am, the more I forget those verses memorized years ago) and sunscreen (it's not a pretty sight)