Effective marketing has always been crucial for companies. Advertising on the radio has been around for about as long as the radio. 

Sports have always been an important part of Daron Atkins’ life. Daron wasn’t necessarily the best athlete growing up, but he has always been a “student of the game”… any game. This love of athletics and his desire to understand all the underlying components of sports led him to become a sports official. Daron officiated his first baseball game at the age of fifteen and has since called semi-pro, college, high school, and recreational baseball, softball, basketball, football and volleyball for more than thirty years. He has mentored countless officials as they began their careers. Daron has been selected to officiate local, regional, state and national championships. He, along with his wife of 13 years, Kim, are the only husband and wife team to officiate a North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championship together. Being part of the WIFM Sports department seems to be a natural progression in his life. He brings a different prospective to broadcasts through his understanding of the many subtle nuances of the game.

Daron and Kim have never met a stray they don’t like. Over the years they have adopted dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and basically anything that walks, crawls or flies. Together, they both teach high school, own a vineyard and winery and basically work from daylight to dusk, seven days a week. What most people call the evening, they call “second shift!” Daron has a passion for volunteering and serves on several boards for many non-profit organizations in the Yadkin Valley. He is an avid reader and a life-long learner calculating that he has been a student, either full or part-time for over forty years! Daron loves to tell stories and brighten people’s day and being part of the WIFM family affords him that opportunity.

Joel was blessed to grow up in the small town of Elkin, NC and, although he loved living in Boone and Wilmington, Elkin called him back home in 1998. Joel’s radio career began in 1993 thanks to Leon Reece, a man he considers one of his heroes. Being in the radio business just seems right for Joel since he loves all types of music and has played the guitar for the past 25 years. During his career, Joel has enjoyed all aspects of radio; especially…you guessed it…sports!!! Since 1998, Joel and WIFM have had the honor of covering 25 state championships “Live”.  We have some great teams to follow here in the Yadkin Valley!

Joel married the love of his life and best friend Leslie in 2006. They love to travel … anywhere. From weekend mountain getaways to hanging out on Bourbon Street in New Orleans to walking the rim of The Grand Canyon or looking up from the base of Niagara Falls. They also love trying out all types of restaurants… ALL types, especially those that are off the beaten path, from a cup of incredible noodles & beef from Chinatown in Philadelphia, to a hot dog stand somewhere between points A and B…it’s all good. Speaking of food, Joel loves to grill, so if you have great grill recipes or grilling techniques, he’d love to hear from you!

Join Joel weekday afternoons from noon until 6 pm. He’ll play some music; we’ll laugh together, and maybe share a story or two. As Joel always says, “Thanks for listening, God bless, and I’ll see you on the radio!”