10 Questions with ... Michelle Wolfe

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Two years Alternative KPKX/Phoenix and 14+ years KMMS "The MOOSE"

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Some guy in a bar in Phoenix told me I had a great voice. Turned out he ran the Alternative station in town.

2. Who are your mentors?

My Dad (worked for NBC for years and has the BEST stories on the planet); Dave Cowan (my old GM with the smartest sense of humor); Scott Arbough (KBCO; he ALWAYS had time to talk to me when I needed help); Pete Hanson (my current GM, who gets more done from his hospital bed battling cancer than most people do all week); Kip Gilbert (the original owner and founder of The Moose); and Ray Gmeiner and Jeff Cook (who took me under their wing and to Mexican food at one of their old favorite dives in Denver when I didn't know anybody at my first Triple A Convention and gave me the lowdown).

3. You recently adjusted the mix at KMMS. How would you now describe the music on the station?

We have rededicated ourselves to being a Triple A station. For a long time we were able to be a lot of things to a lot of people, but with the passing years and more signals and more options, it only made sense to pick a real path and stick to it. Being focused, consistently, is our goal now. Also, what we do on-air is directly reflected on our website mooseradio.com.

4. You were recently promoted to OM. What do you like best about your new job?

I love being able to support others in my cluster much more than I used to. Instead of solely being focused on Moose World, my concerns now lie with everyone in the building. What can I do to help the sales team and our clients understand all of our digital products? How can we execute more things more efficiently with fewer people? Helping train everyone to get more things done in a day without working more hours and creating the next generation of superstars, no matter what their position is now. I've also become a Photoshop master. My A.D.D. is finally good for something.

5. What has been your biggest career highlight?

Being inducted into the FMQB Music Directors Hall of Fame in Philadelphia, 2008.

6. Tell us a bit about Gap West Broadcasting.

I love this company. Our mission is clear and expectations are very high, from the CEO to the receptionists. It's big enough to have some structure (with stations in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Minnesota), but small enough that I can call the CEO, Erik Hellum, with a question if I need to. We have very smart, extremely dedicated people working here ... and a culture of excellence has been created that is very healthy. We have incredible digital tools to grow our brands, and the support we need to make it happen.

7. You program in a market that has little influence from outside signals. Is that an advantage?

Montana cities are "islands" in a huge state. What that affords me is to create a Moose brand that we bill as "Bringing Bozeman to the Rest of the Planet." Everything we do is about music, downtown Bozeman and the outdoor lifestyle. People live vicariously through what we represent.

8. What has been the KMMS' biggest accomplishment?

Doing great radio with great people in a great place.

9. What would surprise people most about the station?

We've been doing what we do for almost 19 years and Moose listeners are the ones who really steer this ship. We're the only Triple A radio station that Gap West Broadcasting owns so we get to make our own rules.

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully right here. But no more promotions ... you couldn't pay me enough money to be a GM. Excel spreadsheets are for people who have far longer attention spans than I have.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

Drink beer on beaches where wireless devices don't function.

Last Non-Industry Job:

Title Insurance Office Gopher

First Record Ever Purchased:

The Police "Zenyatta Mondatta"

First Concert:

Grateful Dead (with my Mom)

Favorite Bands Of All-Time:

The Police, Jimmy Buffett, The Roots