10 Questions with ... Dino

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Like a lot of radio geeks, I spent a good deal of my childhood alone and eating a lot of ice cream obsessed with talking up ramps with fake microphones. While I was in high school, I started interning at WIFC and WDEZ in Wausau, WI until I got my first full-time gig doing nights at the legendary KCLD in St. Cloud, MN. In 2004 I came to WFBC for nights and here I am!

1) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?

Personality. Going the extra mile to make your next break or promotion different. We just wrapped up a Jersey Shore party at a local club where we gave prizes for best-dressed guidos and guidettes ... and of course, Jagerbombs. Also, our free "Just Show Up Show" with We the Kings and Justin Bieber drew over 4,000 people to the Big League World Series last summer.

2) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

Who isn't? Gone are the days where I could just focus on my show. Music logs, promotions, imaging, web content like blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc., are just a few things that rule my day.

3) What is the most challenging part of the job?

Having enough time and resources to accomplish everything that I want to get done. I wish I had more time do videos with Just Joe. We have a corkboard with ideas on it, but it can take a month before we have enough time to film it. Our "Hype Guy" video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvfz321nZbE was in the works for over a month before we could get everyone together!

4) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I can procreate. My wife and I have a two-year-old son named Isaiah and we're expecting a baby girl (Isabella) any minute now.

5) Could you give us a little insight into your on-air staff?

We've been blessed to have kept our air staff relatively intact through all the economic problems. The Hawk and Tom morning show anchors our station, and it helps that they've been ruling the market since "The Big War" -- not sure which war that is, but they tell me that every time I ask how long they've been here. Chase Murphy is our OM/PD and holds down 9:45-9:53a ...and somehow has six talk breaks. I do noon-4p and try not to suck on a regular basis. Seacrest does 4-7 and Just Joe is our night guy. Joe and I team up for videos and a weekend countdown show.

6) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why?

There's a few. Tyler at KISS in Seattle- -- very quick and witty. Jason Cage is and will be a star in this industry. And even though he's on my staff, Just Joe is one of the most talented people I've ever worked with and will go as far as his dreams (and his ghetto moped) will take him.

7) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?

Since I was a fetus, I've been infatuated with Mariah Carey. I wrote her a love letter asking for her immaculate hand in marriage. She responded with a signed poster. My wife thinks it's tacky, but it really ties our dining room together.

8) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?

I wouldn't call going to the gym a hobby, but I'm trying to lose some weight. A year ago I weighed 315 lbs and am shooting for about 225. If I can't get there, I'll settle for whatever weight I can be without my stomach jiggling when I brush my teeth.

9) What advice you would give people new to the business?

Steve Carell said it brilliantly on "The Office" when he said, "Don't be an idiot." Treat everyone with respect; even people who you believe are "beneath you." Learn from your mistakes and surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.

10) What is the current state of the radio "talent pool"?

There's always talent out there, just maybe not in radio. That doesn't mean they couldn't do a great job ... we just have to be on the lookout. I read an interview with Bobby Bones where he said that he went out of his way to hire people who have never been in radio. Obviously he's doing well and it paid off. The two funniest people I know are pastors. I haven't approached them about working here ... not sure if they're dying to talk about what Lady Gaga wore to the Grammys.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

What any boy from Minnesota wanted to be: centerfielder for the Twins. I used to idolize Kirby Puckett!