5 questions with … Jackie Wise

Jackie Wise, vice president and general manager at Entercom Communications, became interested in radio as a child.

She would lie in bed at night and listen to CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

“I’ve always been drawn to it,” Wise said. “I think there’s a real person connection there.”

Besides her position at Entercom, Wise has an additional role this year. She is the 2014 campaign chairwoman for United Way of the Plains, the organization’s annual fundraising campaign. It’s a volunteer position.

The campaign kicks off Thursday.

“I know how important United Way is in the community,” she said. “I want to do what I can to assist contribution generation.”

Last year, the organization wrote grants that generated more than $4 million for local initiatives. It coordinates more than 73,000 hours of volunteer service. And it helps support 87 programs at 35 area not-for-profit agencies.

For example, it helps the United Methodist Open Door, the Wichita Womens Initiative Network, Catholic Charities, Central Plains Regional Health Care Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Wichita Children’s Home, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center and others.

“All the dollars we give stay local,” Wise said.

Wise, 57, a native of Wichita, began a career in radio in 1981 when she took a sales position at KFH radio.

As she’s risen through the ranks, Wise says she’s been lucky.

She’s been able to stay in Wichita to do so.

“That’s really kind of unusual for the broadcast industry,” Wise said. “Often times you have to move around to grow.”

Entercom has 45 full and part-time employees locally and operates five Wichita stations: Power 93.9, 103.7 KEYN, 105.3 The Buzz, Sports Radio KFH, and NewsRadio 1330 KNSS.

In her position, Wise is also responsible for the stations’ digital content.

Nationally, Entercom operates more than 100 stations around the country.

Wise has a degree in general studies from Wichita State University, where she focused on journalism and marketing.

She is married to Forrest and has two daughters, Caitlin and Madison.

Q. 1 You’ve seen a lot of changes and consolidation over the years in the radio industry. What are the biggest challenges today?

A. “I don’t think as an industry we’ve done a good job promoting our medium. I think radio is one of the most undervalued mediums … (Before consolidation,) most people used to work for one, maybe two radio stations. Then all of a sudden radio stations were grouped in the same building. The person who used to be your competitor is now your coworker. That was very challenging.”

Q. 2 You’ve been in management for many years. What advice do you have for those wanting to move ahead in their careers?

A. “Anything is possible … Sometimes people underestimate their own abilities. I think they need to understand they’re probably already better than they think they are. They need to determine what they want, set a goal, and go for it. Persevere.”

Q. 3 What’s the biggest challenge in fund-raising for United Way?

A. “Changes in the economic conditions in Wichita can be challenging and we have to deal with those, and we have to look for new ways to generate contributions … What this will do is make us go out and touch more people with the United Way story … We have to look at individuals who are not currently giving to United Way. That’s how we’re going to make up the gaps that exist.”

Q. 4 Why did you decide to become active with United Way?

A. “I love to feel that I’m contributing to something worthwhile and knowing I can make a difference doing this. I think some people don’t understand that the people they’re helping when they give to United Way, they’re not nameless, faceless people. They’re your co-workers, your family and your friends. Many people are touched by United Way.”

Q. 5 United Way is forming a new group this year called the Women’s Leadership Council. What will it do?

A. “It’s being established in other markets, and we’re just now bringing it to Wichita. They select a community issue and work on that for that particular year. They may be tackling issues like low graduation rates, illiteracy or lack of job interpersonal skills. This will be an opportunity for women to come together and join a group that gives them a hands-on opportunity to be engaged through volunteer projects, special community events or networking. We’re really excited about it.”

This story was originally published September 10, 2014 at 3:42 PM with the headline "5 questions with … Jackie Wise."