I like to joke around and tell people that my job here at KHAK is the only full time job I've ever had. It's no joke. I started off as an intern back in the 90's, got hired part time weekends, and then did full time nights. After that I worked in the news department until starting on the morning show in 1999. I got a notification on Facebook last week that told me that it had been 20 years since my full time hiring here at KHAK. 20 years!

I started off working nights, 6pm to midnight. I loved it. I'd get off, go out for a few hours and then head home and sleep until 11. What more could a young 20 something ask for. It also allowed me to finish school and work full time. After working nights for several years, I took a position in the news department covering the Cedar Rapids area for KHAK and also KDAT. I even did news and sports live on KDAT for a short time. 1999 marked two huge moments in my life. I got married to Holly, and I got my first morning show job! I joined Bear, and Brain and The Bear was born. I was young, cocky and had no real idea what I was doing. We were a grease fire waiting to happen, in a good way! I loved being able to be creative and morning radio was a perfect outlet for that. My time working with Bear taught me a lot about what I could and couldn't get away with on the air!

When Bear departed, I worked by myself for nearly 6 months. After that, I was paired up with former rock radio DJ Scott Steele. Scott brought over some great show elements like the Counseling Corner and the Pedal to the Metal report. He brought over new energy, and we got along right away. Along with a great show, Scott also showed myself, and the rest of the listening audience how to live and deal with cancer. He was brave and defiant in the face of the big C. When he left the show, I knew that it was what he wanted and needed. Scott's motto was, 'I will win.' Man, did he ever.

When Scott left the show, the search began for a replacement. We only interviewed one person. When Courtlin flew in for her interview from Michigan, she was thrown into listener lunch. She knew no one. She sat there and interacted with the listeners, me and members of management. After we talked at length later that afternoon I knew that this was going to work. And it has. I have more fun working on the morning show now than I ever have. We joke, we kid each other, we challenge each other. It's how morning radio should sound. The bottom line is, nothing is off limits if it means having fun.

I can't believe it's been 20 years. Thank you to all the KHAK listeners who have made it great and continue to make my job so much fun! I literally can't imagine doing anything else. I'll be here as long as you all keep listening! Here's to the next 20!

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