10 Questions with ... Jerry Grimes

1. Share a moment in your career that you'll always remember.

Winning two GMA Station of the year awards as GM of WMHK. What a tremendous blessing. That team is dispersed now and has quite a record of accomplishments. It was a privilege serving with them.

2. If you weren't working in radio what else do you think you'd do?

I am a lifelong children's advocate. My wife and I minister to foster families and families adopting kids, many of whom have been abused or neglected. For a time, I ran a non-profit that tries to keep kids out of prison. If I wasn't in Christian radio, I'd want to be doing something to help children from the hard places. They are the least of these!

3. Some great advice you've received is…

"Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you," Matthew 6:33. My pastor taught me that verse when I was 11 and was about to be baptized. I have never forgot it and through the years have learned that putting the Gospel first in every situation, decision and in the use of your time, talent and treasure leads to God's abundant blessing.

4. How do you continue learning and growing?

Love reading and listening to audiobooks, podcasts and watching Ted Talks. I am always on-line, seeing what I can learn from others, as well.

5. What's one thing you wish you'd known about radio when you first started?

I came into radio as an adult after serving in local television. I knew a lot about marketing and much of that transferred over to marketing WMHK when I first started there. But what I really needed a lot of help to appreciate and understand was programming. Jim Marshall, Tom Green, Steve Sunshine and John Frost were very helpful to me! And today, I am privileged work with the great Frankie Morea who constantly teaches me about good programming principles and how they overlap with marketing.

6. Tell us about someone who you really respect and why?

Goodness! Just one? So many people! Eddie Baker, President of PAR comes to mind. We all admire him! He is one of the hardest working guys I know. He has a quiet confidence that I admire, and he is a great champion for all of us in the organization, constantly spurring us on to even greater things.

7. What's something about you that would surprise most people?

I guess maybe that I grew up on a small farm in Indiana. I put up hay in the summer, fed cows before school and horses and pigs after. As a teenager, I told myself I hated rural life but now that I look back on it, growing up that way taught me a lot and I have some great memories. A lot of people tell me they can't imagine me as a farm kid.

8. What's your favorite room at home and why?

Our patio! We are just coming up on the best weather to enjoy it. Lisa, my wife is a great decorator and has it surrounded by flowers and hanging baskets. It's peaceful and faces the woods behind our home. Love to sit out there with my dog, Henry.

9. Finish this sentence: My day doesn't start properly until I...

Read some amazing, encouraging leadership thought from Brian Sanders, our EVP. If you've read Leadership Endurance or any of his blogs, you know how gifted he is as a writer. We get the benefit of his stories and encouragement every day and it really helps you focus on what's important.

10. What do you to unwind and chill?

Cooking. I am a devoted foodie and I'm always trying to find something else to grill or cook. It relaxes me even on the most challenging of days.