10 Questions with ... DC

NAME:DC POSITION:MD/afternoons STATION:WPKF 96.1 Kiss FM MARKET:Poughkeepsie, NY COMPANY:Clear Channel BORN:Waterbury, CT (Dirty Water!) RAISED:Naugatuck, CT

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

2005-2006: WDAQ/Danbury, CT - Weekend/Swing
2005-2007: WILI/Willimantic, CT - APD/MD/nights/Imaging-Production Director (pretty much EVERYTHING!)
2005- Present: WKSS/Hartford - Weekend/Swing
2007- Present: WPKF/Poughkeepsie - Hired as nights, then upped to MD/afternoons

1. What was your last non-Industry job?

I was making my way up the retail ladder at the Sharper Image, which went out of business since I left. I'm not saying the two are related, just stating the facts! Funny though, when I was offered my first radio job, Sharper Image offered me a management position for almost double what I made in radio.

2. What got you interested in Radio?

In all honesty, Bubba the Love Sponge. Hearing the guy bragging about the girls, the money, the cars sparked my interest.

3. What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio?

That girls who sound hot on the phone are very much the opposite.

4. What's the highlight of your radio career to date?

Having a job? For two reasons. Obviously with current state of the business I am happy to have a job right now. Second because out of my 30 + "radio school" classmates I was the only one to make it on air.

5. What's your favorite part of your duties as MD/air personality? If you had to choose one over the other, which would it be?

I get the best of both worlds. I get the work vibe and feel more important behind the scenes. Then I get to play radio, which is always fun. If I had to choose between the two, I would say on air personality because that's why we got into the business in the first place.

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I would like to see myself as a PD of a smaller station or moving up in an APD/MD type role in a bigger market.

7. Who do you consider to be your mentor(s)?

It's weird because most of the people I talk to, I've either never met or met once.

-- Frankie V. (KHTS) who I IM a few times a week and he has always taken time to help out with any situation or just BS radio with me.

-- Joe Rosati (WHTZ) who was my first person I networked out when I started in radio. He has always returned my emails and taken time to critique me throughout the years.

-- Joel Denver, again who I bother monthly and always takes time out to respond.

and quick ones... Joey Brooks (WIOQ) Hired me in Hartford, Bryan
Jordan (WLAN) who has been a true friend in and out of radio, and my
PD's CJ, Stan, and Mike who believe in letting me be me on the air.

8. Poughkeepsie doesn't have a reputation as a particularly big party town. How's the club scene in town?

From what I hear the last few years, due to the economy, the club scene isn't as strong as it was but that doesn't mean PK can't party! The Marist girls are RIDICULOUS!!! Seriously though Kiss FM does more then just MC when on the streets, we make the party happen. It could be five people in a bar or packed club we get in the crowd and party with the people.

9. In 2009, what area of your "game" do you want to improve?

As a station, I think musically we sound great. I want to make our imaging stand out and make the station sound hotter between the songs.

As a personality, I want to just keep working on tightness. Listening to a phoner and cutting the fat out more.

10. If you were to leave Radio today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?

I'd be a spy! I've been on this Burn Notice kick and think that would be an awesome job.

What's your dream market?

Boston. Some of my best friends are there and I just love the city itself.

A freak gravitational shift has added three hours to everyday. What would you do with those extra three hours?

Get a hobby. Join a bowling league...golf? Let's be honest I'd sleep. I'm pretty lazy.