10 Questions with ... Joe Polek

NAME:Joe Polek TITLE:PD STATION:WHCF MARKET:Bangor, ME COMPANY:Bangor Baptist Church/WHCF BORN:March 5, 1979 in Baltimore RAISED:Bel Air, MD

Brief Career Synopsis:

During high school I did interned a lot at Sports/Talk and Country stations, and did a lot of PA announcing for sporting events. I hosted my own Country music show once a week while attending community college in MD for two year. I also interned at WXCY/Havre De Grace, MD on the weekends. At Messiah College, I became the Production Manager and also did play-by-play for sports teams. During my senior year at Messiah, took the Promotions Dir./afternoons position at WMSJ/Portland, ME. Over the course of my six years there, I became APD/mornings. In August 2007, I took the PD/MD position for WHCF/Bangor, ME.

1) What was your first job in the industry?

In May 2001, I accepted the position of Promotions Dir./afternoons at WMSJ/Portland, ME. I am so thankful to GM Mark Tordoff and PD Donny Webb for giving a young, enthusiastic kid fresh out of college with no real experience the opportunity to jump right into the business. Becoming the young station's first Promotions Director, they pretty much gave me the ability to do as I saw fit, and that helped me learn a lot from my mistakes but gave me great growth in the industry.

2) What has been your favorite feature or promotion at your station?

When I arrived at WHCF, we didn't have a Promotions Department. With the help of another staff member, we have been doing the promotions together. We'll be moving her over to Promotions after the first of the year and then we'll really be able to take that department off.

But during my time at WMSJ, my favorite promotion was "Summer to Spread the JOY (with JOY 89.3). Every Tuesday/Thursday for the three months of the summer, we broadcast live for two hours (11a-1p; 4-6p). We had brand new bumper/static stickers that people would pick up. If they put them on their vehicle immediately, we'd register them to win some great prizes. Then every Monday/Wednesday/Friday at a certain time during the morning and afternoon drives, the DJ would pull a name. That person then had 893 seconds (~14 minutes) to call the station. If they called in the time, they could then choose envelope 1, 2 or 3. The envelopes had gift certificates for $8.93, $89.30 or $893! This was huge for us. We saw our cume nearly double in the fall book after this summer promotion.

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

The station, not just the DJs, need to be more real, relevant and relatable. Some stations are doing very well at this and some stations are not. The more real, relevant and relatable that we have become in the past year, the more we are seeing our listeners consider us their family. You never let family down.

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

Lori D Young, morning show host at Country WPOC/Baltimore. I really respect her for being a very strong Christian woman working in mainstream radio. Her show, personality and life are all really amazing. And I really like "The Morning Cruise" at WJIS (The JOY FM)/Sarasota, FL.

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

Absolutely! One of the things that I've really enjoyed in the past year is seeing how God has worked in this ministry for the last 27 years. I know there is a lot of "gloom and doom" thinking for terrestrial radio but I am not one of them. I am seeing people get real excited about the direction of this station and I see a good future for radio.

6) What are the greatest challenges in your position/job?

Financials. I guess it can all come back to that. We have such a small staff: seven full-time staff and two voice trackers. That's our entire staff for two stations. The toughest part is that we want to do so much, but don't have the manpower or financial ability to do it all -- yet. God continues to bless WHCF and I see a big 2009 for us.

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

We have been transitioning away from Southern Gospel to INSPO/Soft AC. For me, it's been a complete thrill to lead this station on this journey. We have had our road bumps but overall the experience has been amazing. And the listener response is phenomenal so it's been a huge reward for me.

I'd also like to say that our station doesn't really promote being "family friendly" -- we just are. And we aren't just "family friendly" on the air. My boss is all about making sure that family comes first. A great reward to this job is that my wife and 7-month old daughter come and hang out with me at the office for a little bit throughout the week, so that Daddy is not away all day. I can't thank my boss and the board enough for allowing me to have that family time.

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

Nothing "funny" comes to mind right away. I just appreciate the few artists that I have come to know and become real "friends" with over my seven years of doing interviews and concerts. Paul Colman, Grant Norsworthy, Andrew Peterson, Bebo Norman, Mike Weaver and Matthew West are just a few that I am privileged to call "friend."

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

In a heartbeat, it would be sports broadcasting. Make me the Ravens or Orioles play-by-play guy or beat writer. I lived it for one day and would want to do it forever. But God has called me to WHCF for now.

10) Has using Twitter changed your life?

Hey, you must be one of my "Followers"! I actually didn't think it was anything special. But it's neat. The best thing about it is the show prep that can come from it. But I like being able to update my Facebook status from my cell phone with it! But does anyone REALLY care what Joe Polek is doing at all hours of the day? Probably not. I'm boring.

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

I read everything online. The "Baltimore Sun" - I read the sports pages online to keep up with my Baltimore sports teams. I know "Fox News" is supposed to be the most "down the middle" reporting but MSNBC.com is the best website for news, in my opinion, so I'm always perusing that.

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

Gosh, I'm not cool enough to own an iPod (any labels want to send me one?) My CD player? Umm, I don't know that I could tell you. I actually, believe it or not, listen to the radio all the time. I know. Apparently (the news would have you believe) that I'm one of the few but I listen to WHCF, a few "competitors" and sports talk.

My wife has a few of my favorites in her CD player: Laura Story and Stephen Sharp (you probably don't know him, but he's a Young Life guy and REALLY good). She's had the Relient K Christmas CD in the car CD player for the past year. Is it Christmas yet?

3) Cat or dog person?

Both. Love them! But if I could only have one, it would be a dog.

4) Describe your favorite meal.

Chinese buffet, chicken/broccoli Alfredo, Maryland steamed crabs, Maine lobster

5) What is your favorite quote?

"Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

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

My wife, Nicole, my daughter, Whitney, laptop with Internet card (news, weather, sports, Bible)