People You Should Know: John J. Walker
Vice President and Market Manager of Cumulus Broadcasting in Columbia and Jefferson City
AGE: 40
JOB DESCRIPTION: Manager and supervisor of eight radio stations in the Columbia & Jefferson City area.
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: Five months
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Wichita, Kansas
EDUCATION: I have had the great fortune of being mentored by some of the best broadcasters in the country. Some of my mentors include the late Mike Oatman, owner of Great Empire Broadcasting, as well as executives at Clear Channel and Cumulus Broadcasting.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: In Wichita, I was heavily involved with the American Cancer Societ and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. While in Topeka, I was involved with Junior Achievement, an organization that educates and inspires young people to value free enterprise, business and economy to improve the quality of their lives. Since arriving in Columbia, I have become involved with Feed The Children, an international relief organization that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children and families who lack these essentials due to famine, poverty or natural disaster. In July we will have a Backpacks for Kids Radiothon on five of our radio stations to benefit the homeless school children of Columbia and Jefferson City. The money raised will be used to deliver backpacks full of school supplies, food and personal items for these children.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I worked in retail management for Dillard’s and Sheplers Western Wear from 1986 to 1996. In October 1996, I entered the radio broadcast industry, selling radio advertising in Wichita, Kan., for a classic rock station. Two years later, I worked in sales for a heritage country station until 2002. In 2003, I was hired by Clear Channel as general sales manager for two of their four stations. Six months later, I was promoted to director of sales of all four stations at Clear Channel. In October 2006, I joined Cumulus as market manager of their six-station cluster in Topeka, Kan. In 2008, I became a vice president, and on Feb. 1, I moved to Columbia to manage the eight Cumulus stations in Columbia and Jefferson City.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: In the short time I have been here, the people who stand out to me are Al Germond, the previous owner of the stations I currently manage, and Gary Drewing at Machens. Mr. Germond is a visionary who pursued a dream and made it a reality. Gary Drewing’s attitude that “we will drive our own business” is admirable. When others are singing the blues, he continues to grow and gain market share.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: If I don’t love what I am doing, I get bored in five minutes. Radio has never allowed me to grow bored. We manufacture a fresh new product every day and we give it to our listeners for free. The public loves radio because it touches them in a way that is relevant to them and in a way that piques their imaginations, creating a bond unique to the medium. So many businesses depend on us for their advertising and business promotions, and the public depends on us for news and entertainment. Creating that impact with such a creative and determined team of individuals is incredibly rewarding.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Be a race car driver. I have a lead foot.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Taking the chance to go from a salaried position to a commissioned sales position. Failure was not an option. As it turns out, it was the best decision I have ever made. As I learned more, I became better and, as a result, my life became better as well.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: My current role and tasks are, without a doubt, my favorite role to date. I love the radio stations and the team we have put together at Cumulus. We have a bright future and I am looking forward to it.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: It moves at a very fast pace and it is challenging. Radio is truly a performance-based business. You must have a good product with great talent as well as a very well-trained sales force.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I love to run and bike. My passion for running began at a young age. It was then that I started competing at a high level. In the years following, I have maintained my competitive edge and have completed several triathlons.
For me, a leisurely Sunday consists of relaxing in the parking lot at Arrowhead Stadium where I have had season tickets for years.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Shakespeare’s Pizza—their pizza is addictive—and the MKT Trail to run off the pizza.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I am proud to have built productive and highly functioning teams at each of the stations I have managed. I also take great pride in seeing many of the individuals whom I have brought into this business enjoy the same passion and success that I have experienced.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: I can wiggle my ears, talk like Donald Duck and stand on my head! Standing on my head has become a frequent occurrence in my professional career. I have deemed it a reward for the sales staff when they present me with a signed annual contract.