I’m one of those people who got into radio right out of high school. A brief stint at the Columbia School of Broadcasting back in 1977 and the next thing I knew, I was “on the air” in Port Arthur, Texas! That’s where my real education began as I ended up as a news person at a station that, in 1978, was purchased by Clear Channel Communications! Talk about the circle being complete! My career started at Clear Channel (they only owned stations in TWO markets back then, San Antonio and Port Arthur) and, hopefully, it will end with Clear Channel.
There have been a LOT of stops along the way since 1977! Here is a copy of my resume for you to peruse, and this IS my actual resume, the one I would send out to get a job somewhere! Realize that this is my CORPORATE side. What really matters to you, the WISN listener is this: My wife and I chose to live in Wisconsin because we absolutely love it here! We could easily be living in any other state in the nation but of all the places we have lived in our 35+ years together none has made us as happy as Wisconsin! We plan to retire here and often joke that our home in Thiensville IS our legacy to our two sons, Joseph and Chris.
Joseph is a pharmacist in Oshkosh, and Chris, after serving 5-and-a-half years active duty in the Army (Including two tours in Iraq), is a mechanical engineering student at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Joseph is already sold on Wisconsin and loves it here too while Chris has indicated strongly that he, too, plans to settle in this wonderful state! We roamed the United States for decades and have found heaven right here in the Badger state! I could not be happier! Take it from me, there is no place better in this country to raise a family and to live! Email me at kenherrera@clearchannel.com
Ken Herrera
Summary of qualifications
For 3 decades I have worked in radio news. During this time I have covered hurricanes, wars, monumental elections, inaugurations, and even the occasional traffic accident!I believe this experience gives me a unique perspective not only on the news, but also on the way the listener is likely to react to that news.Is the story interesting enough to warrant coverage?I believe my experience in many of the nation’s major markets gives me the ability to answer that question better than most. I have had the good fortune to travel extensively in my life. I am 80 per cent fluent in Spanish (My family is from Cuba) and lived in South America for 4 years and in London for two years. I believe that there are many tangible signs that my life and work experiences have made it possible for me to communicate with the listener in a one-on-one way that is sought out by broadcasters everywhere.
Professional experience
August 2007 to present: News Director, WISN-AM, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Responsible for anchoring morning drive news and planning news content for six Clear Channel radio stations in Milwaukee, including WISN. In this capacity I oversee a staff of anchors/reporters and together we cover all news for Clear Channel’s Milwaukee cluster. (WRNW-FM, WOKY-AM, WKKV-FM, WMIL-FM, WRIT-FM and WISN-AM) August 2004 to May 2007:WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee, Host, Wisconsin’s Morning News. In this capacity I was responsible for running the entire morning program, rated #1 in the state of Wisconsin 12+ and #3 in the city and the state in the target demo 25-54 in the ratings period closest to my departure.As host of “Wisconsin’s Morning News” I was honored to win three consecutive regional Edward R. Murrow awards for Best Newscast. I remain extremely active in the community and was a founder and Vice President of the Latino Press Club of Wisconsin. August 1998 to August 2004: WBBM Radio, Chicago, Illinois.PM drive anchor.I was hired initially as the morning drive anchor for WBBM, and was moved to the afternoon drive position after the consolidation of parts of the WMAQ staff into WBBM. While in both positions WBBM enjoyed tremendous ratings success in both 12-plus and the all-important 25-54 demo.Duties included writing and preparing newscasts and anchoring a five-hour block of all-news.I was also involved in long form coverage of the Chicago Air and Water show and the Chicago Auto Show as a primary host of these annual events on WBBM. September 1996 to August 1998: Associated Press Radio Network, Washington, DC.At AP Radio I was the morning anchor, responsible for four hours of the all-news format.My duties at AP included writing and anchoring hour-long news blocks and gathering material for, writing, and anchoring the 30-minute weekly program “Special Assignment”.I anchored the AP Radio coverage of the second inauguration of Bill Clinton during my stay at the Associated Press. September 1991 to August of 1996: WWJ Radio, Detroit, Michigan.Afternoon drive anchor for this CBS O&O (owned and operated) in the Motor City.My duties at WWJ included writing and preparing the afternoon drive news, and anchoring the final product for a five-hour period each day. I was involved in extensive remote work anchoring news blocks from the Detroit International Auto Show each year and from the Michigan State Fair.In Detroit I was responsible for research and production of two feature programs, “Computer Tips” and “Cyberneering” both of which dealt with computer technology and the Internet. February 1988 to September 1991: NBC Radio Network, Washington, DC.I was the morning anchor for NBC Radio and served as news anchor for the NBC (now Westwood) program “First Light”.At NBC I was also called upon to report from Managua on the elections in Nicaragua that saw the defeat of the Sandinista regime, and was involved in extensive reporting of the Gulf War and the invasion of Panama from Panama. Other experience:KNX, Los Angeles ---Anchor/reporterUPI Radio Network --- AnchorWOAI Radio, San Antonio --- Anchor/reporterKRBE-FM, Houston --- Morning AnchorWFAA, Dallas --- Afternoon drive anchorKTRH Houston—Anchor/reporterKPAC Port Arthur — Anchor/reporter(1977 first job)
References
On request
Awards received
National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Continuing Coverage 2007, Regional Murrow Awards for Best Newscast 2003 WBBM Chicago, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Best Afternoon Drive program news/personality 2002 Chicago A.I.R. Awards (Achievement In Radio) Best Spot News By Anchor (Associated Press) Best Newscast (Associated Press-WBBM Chicago and several times with WTMJ) International Radio Festival Gold Medal winner (First Light, NBC Radio Network) Best Live News, Los Angeles AP (for coverage of LA earthquake), Best Spot News, Los Angeles Fires- AP,Best Newscast-Large Market—AP and literally DOZENS of other awards along the way from the Associated Press and United Press International. Listed in “ Who’s Who in Hispanic America”
