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Rick
Sellers
Rick was born in Akron, Ohio, and educated at Miami University of
Ohio. He started out his radio executive career in 1972 as program
director and general manager of WOXR in Oxford, Ohio. In 1975, he came to
Cedar Rapids as program director at KCRG radio, and moved to WMT AM-FM in 1976
as promotion and music director. Eventually moving up to Vice-President of
Operations and minority stockholder from 1986 to 1995, he became general manager
from 1995 to 1998 when he purchased 1450-KMRY, and is President and General
Manager. Outside interests include
serving as adjunct faculty at Coe and Kirkwood colleges, board member of the
Freedom Festival and Grant Wood Chapter of the American Red Cross, trustee with
Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Junior Achievement, and membership in the Downtown
Rotary Club and Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church.
Rick Sampson
A Cedar Rapids native, Rick graduated from Jefferson High School and
attended Mason City Junior College with an eye towards Brown Institute's
broadcasting program. However, a part-time job at KSMN in Mason City
resulted in the station teaching him what Brown would have charged him to
learn! From Mason City, he came home to Cedar Rapids and a multi-faceted
position at KHAK. That involved commercial scheduling and writing during
the day, and being on the air three or four nights a week. He was in
charge of converting the station from its "elevator music" format to
country. From KHAK, Rick went to Burlington and KBUR. Hired to be
night disc jockey, within a year he was in the news department and then News
Director. After 7 years in Burlington, the road led back to Cedar Rapids
and the newsroom at 1450-KLWW. Again, he progressed from reporter to News
Director. Now, thru two locations, three sets of call
letters, three music formats, four owners - and countless typewriters and
computers, he's still here - now as News Director, Operations Director and
Website Editor.
Eric
Walker
Born and raised in the small southwest Iowa community of Stanton, Eric Walker left the home of the "World's Largest Swedish Coffee Pot" to study at
the University of Iowa. It was there he received his bachelor's degree and
his wife, Brenda! Eric's first professional stint in radio was in Cedar
Rapids at the
then-new KDAT-FM, handing overnight on-air duties. In 1996, on a promise of a
weekend part-time job at a major market station, he set off for Greensboro,
North Carolina. After turning the job into the Executive Producer of the
highly-rated "Murphy In The Morning" show, the call of home was hard
to resist. He returned to Iowa to become Program Director at KGRN-AM in
Grinnell. Now, he's Program Director, Production Director, Music Director
and morning host here at KMRY. In his spare time, Eric is involved with Variety-The Children's Charity committee. He also enjoys playing
with his dogs and doing numerous remodeling projects around the house.
Julia Kent
Julia is a Cedar Rapids area native. She has worked as a pre-school
teacher, model for a furrier, and cocktail mixologist before finding her niche
in radio. As a 27 year veteran of WMT AM/FM, she performed many duties,
including commercial writing, production and sales before joining the team at
KMRY as Traffic, Continuity and Office Manager, and is now afternoon music host
and Promotion Director. She also owns VoiceStar
USA, a voice talent /production business in Cedar Rapids. Julia currently
has two "cat kids" in residence, plus husband Gary, and an extended
family including her brother, three stepsons and their wives, and
three beautiful grandchildren. In summarizing her life, Julia commented
"If I leave one impression with those I meet, it is to enjoy life and laugh
often."
Kevin Alexander
Kevin was born and raised in Victor, Iowa and now lives in Marengo. A
graduate of H-L-V High School, he also attended Kirkwood Community College with
courses in business management, accounting and communications. He managed
a clothing store and ran his own business, Alexander Masonry & Construction,
before joining WMT as sales projects coordinator. He moved up to sales
manager there before becoming vice-president of 1450-KMRY in 1998 and is now
also Station Manager. The
father of three, Kevin has been a Little League baseball coach, flag football
coach and scout leader. He's marketing chairman for the Greater Cedar
Rapids Open golf tournament, and is lead vocalist and keyboard player for the
band "Mid Life Crisis." Kevin was elected to the Board of
Directors of the Marengo Golf Course and serves as the Chairman of
Buildings, Grounds & Landscaping. He's an avid golfer with a 7
handicap.
David Bolt
David is a Cedar Rapids native, a graduate of Jefferson High School and
attended Coe College and the University of Iowa. He was manager of Theater
Cedar Rapids from 1981 to 1986, when he became district representative for
"Movies America." He became development director in 1991, and in
1994 joined the staff of 1450-KMRY. Among community activities, David is a
well-known fixture of various theater productions around the area - including
being a regular in "The Follies" and involved with productions staged
each summer at Brucemore.
Dave Franklin
Another Cedar Rapids native, Dave Franklin is a Wilson High School grad, and
attended Coe College for two years before receiving a B.A. in radio/TV and film
from Michigan State University. His radio career started at WKAR AM/FM in
East Lansing, Michigan. Returning to Iowa, he went to KGRN in Grinnell
before beginning a 40 year career at KCRG TV/AM where he was program director
for radio and film director for TV. Dave brought his Sunday morning polka
show to 1450-KMRY in January, 2001. Outside the station, he heads the
Party Time Band, and is involved with landscaping and yard work around
home. By the way, he writes he "served 33 months in the army
(ours)."
Marilyn
Eckstein
Marilyn was born in the little Native American village of Marble City,
Oklahoma. She was the 7th of 10 children. Marilyn now lives in Ely with her husband, Dan, and their
daughter,
Danielle. Her radio career started in 1992 at WCCI-FM in Savanna, Illinois
in the sales department. Marilyn joined the 1450-KMRY sales staff in June,
2005.
Deb
Fisher
Deb is a native of Ottumwa with previous work experience in office
management and social services. She has a B.A. degree in Human Services
and Psychology from Buena Vista College. Prior to joining the KMRY staff,
she owned and operated Nuts & More Specialty Foods in Hiawatha. Deb
has a son, Ben, who works in aviation and a daughter, Jessica, and son-in-law,
Zac, and add in a granddaughters Hayden and Laney. Deb enjoys time with
friends and family, enjoys music and the outdoors, cooking and golf.
Connie Switzer
Connie is yet another Cedar Rapids native, having graduated from Franklin
High School. She spent 20 years working for Turner Microphone, and 17 more
at WMT AM/FM before joining the 1450-KMRY staff. She
keeps active by bicycling, cross country skiing and as a member of Mercy Fitness
Center. She's a volunteer driver for "Meals on Wheels" for
Family Service Agency and volunteers for the American Cancer Society.
Jennifer Schulte
Jennifer is a familiar face to the KMRY Family. She started as an intern
and weekend weather announcer, later graduating into Traffic and Sales.
After a brief hiatus to get married and start a family, she's back as Traffic
Manager. She's the proud mother of twins ... a boy and a girl born in
2007. In her spare time, Jennifer spends time with her husband Jim, the
children Autumn and Anthony, and Robin, their dog. She trains and competes in 5K races, bakes
and makes scrapbooks.
Ted Bey
Ted's educational background includes three years of college with an
emphasis on political science, history and computer science. Add in
military training in the Russian and Czech languages, and cap it off with
graduation from Brown Institute in broadcasting. After 7 years in the US
Air Force, Ted spent 5 1/2 years with the news department at 1450-KLWW before
joining IBM, and then 13 years with Frank N. Magid Associates. He came back to
1450, now KMRY, as weekend news anchor in 2002. A member of First Lutheran
Church, Ted is also an accomplished vocalist and a member of the Barbershop
Harmony Society, 21st Century Vocals, Harmony Hawks, Chorale Midwest and Cedar
Rapids Concert Chorale.
TOM McCOY - yet another Cedar Rapids native, Tom is proud to have
been in the last class to graduate from Franklin High School. Most of his
career has been in the automotive parts department business, including
Volkswagen, Porsche/Audi, Subaru and Honda dealerships. He's now retired
from Saturn of Cedar Rapids. His part-time radio career started at
KCRG (where Dave Franklin was his boss!), and led to KHAK and KTOF before
joining what was then 1450-KCDR in 1985. Outside activities include his
two classic cars and - when time allows - enjoying NASCAR races.