10 Questions with ... Greg Williams

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Top 40 KLEO/Wichita, Top 40 KEYN/Wichita, Country KCBQ/San Diego, Top 40 KKRD/Wichita, Top 40/Rhythmic KDGS/Wichita

1. What got you into radio?

Hearing those "golden" voices on the radio as a kid when Jocks were personalities! Quippy, quick witted, and of course they ALWAYS hit the post on a song! I wanted to be just like those guys! Of course we've evolved, but being and having a quick wit equals having fun on the radio, and that never gets old!

2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

As ironic as it sounds, I really wanted to be a play-by-play sportscaster! I'mm still a fan of listening to games on the radio. The legendary sportscasters in my lifetime have been epic. I remember as a kid at 1,2 waiting after college games so I could approach the announcers from both the home and visiting teams and pick their brains about how to get into the profession. It was there I learned that getting a play-by-play gig for a university or even a pro franchise is a special thing. I also learned that guys get with teams and generally never leave. I then realized that breaking into that part of the industry would not be a simple thing. I would still love to do some play-by-play of a sporting event even today! LOL!

3. What makes Wichita a special place to live and work?

First of all, it's my hometown. This is the place I grew up, went to school, and graduated from college. This is an awesome place to call home. A huge city that still feels like a small town. As corny as that sounds, this community values the arts, is progressive, and it just happens to be one of least expensive places to live in the nation. In Wichita a $250k home is a 4000 square foot palace! This community loves sports (as do I), and it values their media personalities. It is community that genuinely cares about one another. It is one of the most giving, compassionate communities anywhere. I love being involved in the community. For me and my wife, our families are here, it is the place that is truly home.

4. What would probably surprise most people about Wichita?

That it's the largest city in Kansas (not Kansas City!) LOL, it is known as the "Air Capital of the World." More airplanes are built in Wichita than any other city in the nation. The plane that you will be flying home in for the holidays more than likely was built right here in Wichita. Air Force One was built here. It is the birthplace of Pizza Hut and White Castle fast-food chains. Mentholatum was invented here. The NAACP recognized Wichita as the site of the first sit-in by African Americans at an all-white lunch counter in August 1958. Actress Kirstie Alley, best known for her role as Rebecca Howe in "Cheers," was born in Wichita and still returns often to visit and still owns a home here. It is the home to the 7th largest zoo in the United States. The air quality index in Wichita is 21% better than the national average, and the pollution index in Wichita is 95% better than the national average! It is home to billionaires Phil Ruffin, and the legendary Koch brothers! Celebrities like John Travolta and Harrison Ford frequent the city often, because this is where they purchased their private jets. Finally, college basketball is king! My Wichita State Men's Basketball team is almost always in the NCAA tournament and went all the way to Final Four (for the second time!) in 2013!

5. You also host the morning show at KDGS. What's been the key to your time management?

It is the fact that I have an amazing staff! I often refer to my APD/MD Rolls Royce Stevenson as my left arm and right leg! I have a morning show co-host who does a lot of the leg work with the morning show. All of us are native Wichitans. Make no mistake, time management is always an ongoing process. I like to say that I am only as good as the people I have around me. Everyone understands and knows their role. Finally, understanding how to prioritize task. I believe that is so important to effectively managing a staff that is completely engaged and dialed in to the what our goals and objectives are.

6. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?

I would probably be working in the non-profit community or involved in government in some kind of way. Recently I have had the honor of being the local chairman for our Walk To End Alzheimer's. Collectively along with a great team we raised $195K in the fight against this horrible disease. One day, we will have a world when no one suffers from what I consider to be the worst disease of all. I am also the chairman for the annual fundraiser for Real Men Real Heroes. This is a group of African-American men who provide positive role models for fatherless African-American boys. In 2018 we raised over $160k! As you may know, the absence of a father in the home is one of the number one crisis's facing the African-American community. It has been for a while. This erosion in the family model has a trickle-down effect. We believe that if we can mentor these boys at a young age with tutoring, educational trips, etc. Then we can make a positive impact in the lives of these kids where one day they will grow up and be able to "give something back". In the end, that's what really matters. These are things that I have a high passion for and I know that I would enjoy very much.

7. What do you think are your greatest strengths as a programmer and as an air personality?

I believe it is managing people and having a high passion for the music. I understand the digital space that we must be a part of. I love metrics and data. I love mentoring kids and being highly engaged in our community. I love interacting with both our external and internal customers. I also never forget who is the real foundation of our success. It is our customers. Our customers are our listeners. They are often faceless, nameless people who interact with our brand every day. I want the experience that they have every single time that they engage with our brand to be one that they enjoy and will want to keep listening to time and time again.

8. What do you think you can do better as a programmer and as an air personality?

You previously touched on it. Time management. As a morning show host and PD, time flies and often requires an effort that does not fit into a conventional 9 to 5 space. That means some days are longer than others, but if that is what it takes to get the job done, then it must be done. To perform at a high level on the air, in the community, and as a brand manager requires focus and discipline. At times for me it is challenging to find the balance between all of those things, because I only function at one speed...and that's full throttle! LOL!

9. What do you like to do in your spare time?

The one thing I love the most is the time that I spend with my wife and family. Our youngest daughter is one heckava basketball player. I love to go to her games. I also love to read. Lately I have been listening to a lot of audiobooks. I love history, museums, and I love to travel. I also like to detach, unplug, and just relax.

10. How does your wife, Necol, help you navigate/handle your very busy schedule?

My wife keeps me grounded. She is the balance that keeps everything in focus. At the end of the day, it's family first. She is supportive when I need it. She knows my heart, mind, and soul. She knows when something is bothering me. She never complains when some days call for long hours. I am blessed to have such an amazing woman by my side.

Ever think of going into politics?

I get asked this often. Truthfully, I do think of it. I don't think that I would want to be the guy whose name is on the ballot. For me it is greater than that. If I can make a contribution that helps to improve the quality of life for any one person or persons then I would find that rewarding. Politics is a mean and nasty profession that requires making tough choices. I know that part of politics is the ugly side. The flip side is that working together with groups, organizations, and communities to foster change or make improvements is something that I would have a high passion for,

If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?

More than likely it would be breakfast! I love eggs, bacon, toast, etc. I could eat breakfast food three times a day, every day and never get tired of it! LOL