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10 Questions with ... Lori Lynn Leonard
November 15, 2005
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NAME:Lori Lynn LeonardLAST WITH:WVFJ (J93.3)/AtlantaPHONE:706-224-9788
Please begin by giving us a brief career history...
I was blessed to start my career as an Intern in Cleveland, Ohio.
WWWE-AM (News/Talk, now WTAM-AM)/Cleveland, sports and producing.
WDOK-FM (Soft AC)& WRMR-AM (Music Of Your Life)/Cleveland, fill-in and weekend air talent.
WBKC-AM Painesville, OH (Classical), news person.
Baron Aviation (traffic reporter) Cleveland.
WAJI-FM (Hot AC)/Fort Wayne, IN, morning show news person.
Metro Traffic Cleveland: traffic reporter for WLTF-FM.
WFSH-FM (Christian AC)/Cleveland, weekends and fill-in.
WGMG-FM (Hits of the 80's 90's and today)/Athens, GA, voice for weekends.
WVFJ-FM (Christian AC)/Atlanta, morning show.1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I realize this is just radio, and my salvation doesn't rest on it at all. I am in the process of planning my wedding so I have a great diversion.
2) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.
Radio is a strange bedfellow. One minute they love you, the next they don't. I enjoy radio from the interaction of people who enjoy your radio station. The inside politics is what is the most depressing. I really don't miss that. This was one reason I left radio to go to college to go into the ministry. I missed radio because it is opposite from any other kind of 9 to 5 job one person can have.
3) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
I would like to continue to do radio in a format that lets me be me. Some formats let you, others do not.
4) What is your best way to get your foot in the door?
It all boils down to who you know and not what you know. That's been the rule of thumb given to me since I got into this business over 16 years ago.
5) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?
Name drop like crazy. Right, Mike McVay????
6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I would prefer a midday or afternoon job where I can be me. I would like a job that would allow me to grow my future family and the chance to meet listeners and be a part of people's lives.
7) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?
I have been surprised in a good way. People are not taking a job just to take a job and employers know that if they want quality they are going to have to provide the thank you that goes with the offer.
8) With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs, how do you separate yourself from the pack?
I look at all the jobs I have had and see that I have a large number of skills that can cross over into many other jobs.
9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
I am very proud of the Ohio Media awards I have won for specials on public affairs.
10) What have you learned about yourself, others, or life in general in your downtime?
I have learned that if I like me, that's all that matters. I have also learned that if people take the time to get to know you they understand and enjoy you for who you are. If they don't take the time they are more judgmental and critical.
Bonus Questions
Great movies I've recently seen...
Wedding Crashers. It's the first movie that seemed male humor-driven, with just a hint of chick flick. I laughed out loud so hard I thought I might need a brown paper bag.
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