Patrick's Career Capsule
Graduated from Texas Tech University with BA in Telecommunications in 1994.
2 years in secular Radio in Texas Panhandle town of Pampa.
5 years with KJIL as Production/afternoons.
10 years as Program Director with The Promise FM in Northern Michigan.
Now back at KJIL as Program Director/Operations manager and Afternoon host.

1. Tell us about your role at KJIL, your responsibilities etc... ?

In February I accepted the role of Operation Manager/Program Director and afternoon host with KJIL.  KJIL has two main stations in Meade and Abilene, KS where I am PD over both.  I also track from 1 to 4pm on the Abilene station and have a live shift from 3 to 7pm in Meade.  I also do a voice tracked shift for KHYM our sister station in Meade from 3 to 7 pm.  The Operations Manager role is kind of a catch all to include helping with engineering, EAS coordinator and more.  It’s a “jack of all trades” kind of job and I love it.

2. How has KJIL evolved since you joined them? 

When I first joined them in 1999 the station was coming off being named the GMA small station of the year.  Coming back this year after being away for 10 years, KJIL is still that station, with different people in a lot of positions but still with a heart to always look beyond today and working to find new ways to reach listeners.  They have also grown in reach with more than 50 stations on the air now covering 5 states (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado and a little bit of New Mexico.

3. What is the best programming advice you've been given? The worst?

The best programming advice was when I started my first PD job and it came from the person I was replacing.  He said that the music you don’t play can’t hurt you but the music you do can. 

The worst advice is to play secular artists at Christmas on a Christian station.  I really struggle with this fitting the mission of Christian Radio.

4. Regarding your career, what are you most proud of?

That’s tough.  I was part of a rebrand at my last station (my first rebrand) that sounded really good on the air.  It was a great team effort.  Also a few years ago at a Christian music festival I put together a sofa series at our booth with about a dozen artists.  It went over so well and had such great interaction with the artists and our listeners through that.

5. What is the one thing you must have to do your job every day?

Other people.  I love the environment I am at here at KJIL because while we each have our jobs they intertwine.  I love the collaboration I have with our entire staff.  It’s a must have.

6. Where will future air talent come from?

There are so many ways people are using audio now through podcasting and online videos that those could be a way, if those people want to take their talents into radio.  I truly think there are people who are just great, talkative, people who might be the next generation of on air talent right here in our local community.  From the looks of Christian Radio, we definitely have to find the talent from the next generation to continue on.

7. Do you feel syndication is good or bad for Christian radio?

I am not a huge fan of syndication.  While it can deliver strong content it does take away the localness to the station. 

8. Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?

There are a few.  My first boss in radio Darrell Seahorn in Pampa Texas.  It wasn’t Christian radio but he gave me a great deal of confidence to do radio and to try new things. 

Michael Luskey who is my boss now again.  He taught me so much about radio my first time at KJIL and believes in me enough to bring me back after being laid off. 

Keith Sanderson of KMOC in Wichita Falls, TX.  Keith has believed in me even when I didn’t.  He taught me so much about production and radio when I worked with him at KJIL.  He also continues to encourage me today.

Jim McDermott at Spirit FM.  We seem to think the same about a lot of things in Christian radio and I have appreciated his friendship and insights.