10 Questions with ... Haley Jones

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

MD and then APD at KFOG/San Francisco, MD at KMTT/Seattle, APD/MD at Bonneville's Sound in L.A. (KSWD), National Triple A promotion for Sony RED and now PD at KPRI/San Diego

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I started at a high school station, KVHS/Concord, CA. It might have been that Whitesnake record ... but I was hooked on my first day

2. Who are your mentors?

I have many people that I respect and look up to. Greg Solk and Dave Beasing are two of the smartest and funniest guys in the business today. I grew leaps and bounds in L.A. Dwight Walker, whom I worked with in San Francisco, is the GM on my dream team. He is the most reasonable and well-balanced manager I have ever worked with. Scott Souhrada was the first to believe in me as a programmer. He taught me how to not get pushed around as a young woman in radio. Shawn Stewart's voice resonates in my head frequently. She is not only phenomenal at what she does, but have you ever noticed that everyone around her feels good too? And of course, there is Dave Benson. He is flat-out a superior PD. Read the little bubble on the side of my head - What Would Benson Do?

3. Why did you want your current job?

San Diego does not suck.

4. Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?

All of them.

5. What has been your biggest career highlight so far?

I'm pretty excited to be where I'm at right now. However, an honorable mention must go to KFOG's Kaboom. I'm not sure you can beat the rush of standing with 200,000 of your closest friends right as the music and fireworks start.

6. It is early, but what things do you want to tweak first at KPRI?

Tweak it? I don't know what you're talking about!

7. What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?

Go home.

8. What do you think is the biggest challenge for the Triple A format in a PPM world?

Being familiar enough to win.

9. Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?

I'm a sucker for old Motown-style music and I tend to gravitate toward whichever station plays the most in my town. In San Diego, it's Magic 92.5 [XHRM]. And I'm in love with the Jazz station here too, KSDS.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

A walk with my girl, Billie Holliday.

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

Hiking, biking, kayaking, rowing and reading.

First record ever purchased:

I think it was Andy Gibb!

First concert:

The Commodores in 1977.

Favorite band of all-time:

I'm a Stones girl.