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10 Questions with ... Bill Montgomery
September 26, 2022
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1. Share a moment in your career that you'll always remember.
About 4 years into my radio career, I was an advertising rep for a talk station. Our GM asked me to become the sales manager…I was only 26 years old. Most of our reps were over 40. But our GM told me that people were already looking up to me to help them, so it made sense. I fell in love with management and helping people grow and I've never forgotten that opportunity.
2. If you weren't working in radio what else do you think you'd do?
I would probably be working with teens or kids, as a pastor, non-profit director or maybe teacher (though that would be a tough job to do). I've worked with kids/teens as a volunteer my entire life and love the energy they give me!
3. Some great advice you've received is…
Not sure if this counts as advice, but I LOVE this quote from Zig Ziglar, probably the greatest speaker I've ever seen. "You can have everything in life that you want if you just help enough other people get what they want."
4. How do you continue learning and growing?
I subscribe to too many email newsletters (and try to read them), visit really smart people and pepper them with questions (appreciate Jim Houser, Todd, Stach, Paul Goldsmith, Joe Paulo, Chris Lemke, Matt Austin, Jon Hull, Shawn Farrington and Channah Hanberg who have put up with my questions this year), read books, listen to podcasts, go to seminars and webinars. I don't assimilate as much of it as I want to, but I'm hopeful that osmosis will kick in and help me use some of it!
5. What's one thing you wish you'd known about radio when you first started?
That it is impossible to get out of your system. I was out of the industry for about 2 ½ years, but got right back in. It is a contagious industry!
6. Tell us about someone who you really respect and why?
While my father is at the top of that list for serving in ministry for his entire career and always faithfully showing up, I'd like to mention the 2 Dan's that I've worked for. Dan Craig (currently at Moody Radio) gave me my first management job and was a mentor on leadership for me. He took the blame when things went wrong and gave the credit when things went right. He was an inspiration to me in my career.
Dan Baughman (just retired June 30 from River Radio Ministries) was willing to hire me after I turned him down once, and has been an absolute pioneer and innovator in the face of adversity. He was never afraid to bring in people that he thought knew more than he did and let them do their job. But he wasn't afraid to grab the reigns on something he felt strongly about and take control. Dan would take criticism and let other people win an argument. I have tremendous respect for all he accomplished.
7. What's something about you that would surprise most people?
I'm a pretty open book (and a loud book) so it's rare that I would surprise anyone, but I grew up on rap/hip-hop and love that style of music. Took my kids to an NF concert last year…was amazing!
8. What's your favorite room at home and why?
The family room. Love to hang out with the kids, watch movies, play games, snuggle up to my wife while she reads a book or have our dog, Thor, climb on my lap for attention.
9. Finish this sentence: My day doesn't start properly until I...
Make coffee…I grind the beans, heat the water, do a pour-over in 1 of several styles (clever dripper, V-60, aeropress, Chemex, moka pot). Have to get my coffee!
10. What do you to unwind and chill?
Either go for a run (I know…crazy way to unwind), watch my favorite sports team (Ohio State, Cubs, Bears, Blue Jackets), or watch a show on Netflix/Prime with my kids.
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