People You Should Know: Mark Mills
Mark Mills
Market Manager – Columbia/Jefferson City, Cumulus Broadcasting
JOB DESCRIPTION: Head coach and sales trainer. Overall responsibilities include day-to-day operation of eight radio stations: NewsTalk 1400 KFRU, Q106.1, 101.5 KPLA, 102.3 KBXR and 100.1 the Buzz in Columbia along with NewsTalk 1240 KLIK, Jeff Country 104.1 and COOL 97.5 in Jefferson City.
AGE: 52 YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: Lived here a few years, left for about three years and came back 25 years ago HOMETOWN: Butler, Mo.
EDUCATION: Class work at Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri) in organizational speech communications
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Carrera Soccer Club, past president of the Columbia Soccer Club, deacon at First Christian Church.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I have experience in both radio programming (on-air) and radio sales. I started in my hometown at 14, went to Warrensburg for college (where I served as chief announcer of the student staff), then moved around the state to various radio stations and worked morning shows, afternoon shows, sports play-by-play, programming and production. Around 1980, I moved to the sales side of radio, working as a sales representative, local sales manager and general manager. I left the radio business for 11 years as I worked for two printing and publishing companies selling and servicing high school and college yearbooks. I decided to move back to the radio business in 1995 when I joined Premier Marketing. I have worked in this same building since, holding senior marketing consultant, local sales manager and general sales manager positions for Cumulus since they purchased the radio stations in 2004.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: There are a lot of them, young and old. I really admire any person who develops a plan and sticks their neck out to open their own business and then literally live their dreams. Individually, I admire Dr. John Yonker, the senior minister of the First Christian Church. There’s a lot of reasons why; he lives life to the fullest with high expectations. John’s a great role model. He’s a great storyteller and teacher. And when he’s not running marathons and doing triathlons, he hits a golf ball extremely well.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I’m passionate about my job because radio advertising works. It’s been a pleasure to work with business owners to develop marketing plans and then enjoy the opportunity to watch their business grow and thrive. All around Columbia and central Missouri, there are success stories that we all should celebrate. I’m glad I get the opportunity, on a daily basis, to stop by a number of those businesses to hear about their success.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: …likely be in the same sort of sales position. But I could be happy riding a mower cutting grass on a golf course.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: A significant shift in the landscape of the media business. From consolidation, to new media, to the most recent downswing in the economy, this business has seen its unfair share of change. It’s been interesting, but I feel like hanging in there to continue doing something I’m passionate about has made sense.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: It’s exciting. It’s always changing, but at the same time there are consistencies. We program our radio stations to deliver our customers’ business messages to a distinct community of listeners for each station.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: In my free time I really enjoy spending time with my family regardless of what is on the agenda. Golf, occasionally.
FAMILY: My wife, Janet Mills, is a paraprofessional at Fairview Elementary School. My daughter Jade Mooney is a graduate of Hickman High School and now a 9-1-1 operator at Boone County Joint Communications. My daughter Jordan Mills is a senior at Hickman High School, and it looks like she’ll become a Missouri Tiger next year (after a close call with entertaining the idea of attending KU or KSU — it would be hard for me to spend money in Kansas). My dad, John Mills, lives in Clinton, Mo. He just recently celebrated his 96th birthday. He’s not as active now, but he is still sharp as a tack. He’s been my No. 1 role model, raising 4 boys, all of whom he encouraged out into the greater world to accomplish what God intended for each of us.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Cosmo Park. I’ve spent a lot of time there watching soccer games. It’s a crown jewel in Columbia, I think. Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field on a football Saturday because of the energy. I think football Saturdays in some part define who we are as Columbia citizens. Downtown Columbia because the entire collection of shops, business offices, governmental buildings and churches really does reflect the broader community.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I’m most proud of my family. I have totally enjoyed all the phases of raising our two girls. I also am proud of working my way up the ladder at Cumulus to market manager, primarily because of the relationships I’ve had the pleasure of developing with both customers and co-workers
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: I was a charter board member of the National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers and still sit on the board. I’ve been a public address announcer for the Missouri state high school wrestling tournament and the state basketball championships for 30 years.