Brad Walker -- New Radio Talking Book Director
on Radio Talking Book
Meet Brad Walker, Radio Talking Book Director
It may be the twinkle in his eyes, the mischievous grin, or his easy-going manner that makes Brad Walker, WKAR’s Radio Talking Book’s (RTB’s) new program director, the ideal person to lead the service and expand its capabilities. His childhood aspirations have now arrived, full circle.
As the youngest of four children it’s easy to believe that Brad Walker was “busy” as a child as he strove to keep up with his older siblings, and pursue his own interests which ranged from sports to ‘80’s music. He yearned to be a “radio star” and disc jockey on Lansing’s powerhouse country station, WITL.
A few decades later, Walker still loves sports, enjoys the music of his youth, and for three years was on-the-air at WITL hosting his own show. The fluidity of commercial radio (formats change, stations are sold), led to a radio station in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and then back to Lansing’s WVIC for 10 years.
Not wanting to venture far from mid-Michigan, the Ovid native and Michigan State University graduate (B.A. in Telecommunications, 1992), decided to pursue his alma mater’s employment opportunities.
With his sights set on WKAR, Walker worked as a part-time RTB producer and as an “on call” employee WKAR-TV’s master control department. On December 1, 2007 Walker took over the reins of one of WKAR’s little-known gems: RTB. (RTB’s former program director, Brigid Jansen retired after 29 years of service in December 2007.)
According to Walker, as well as others associated with the radio reading service for the blind and physically disabled, RTB is not only a wonderful information resource for individuals unable to access reading materials through traditional means, but it also provides a type of companionship for those who may be more house-bound to due their physical limitations.
“I’m working at a top-notch station with a great staff and first-rate volunteers. This is not just a job. I am working for all the right reasons: I am, we are, serving people who need the service we provide, who depend on it because it makes a difference in the quality of their lives,” Walker explains. “My long-term goal is to have an RTB receiver placed with any one who can benefit from the service. I am truly lucky to be working in such a rewarding environment.”
Walker resides in Holt with his wife Lara, and young sons Ryan and Camden. Free time includes Cub Scouts (and their famous popcorn sales), sports, family camping trips, sports, fishing excursions, and…sports.
published: February 13, 2008
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