CHUCK DUNCAN
GENERAL MANAGER
Chuck Duncan began his broadcasting career in local radio sales in Tucson, AZ, 259 “radio years” ago (same as dog years). In 1985 he accepted a position in national sales with Katz Radio's Chicago office and spent the next five years getting to know the national sales and advertising arena, along with a tremendous amount of top-notch station owners and operators.
In 1993 he moved to network radio with the formation of the One-On-One Sports Radio Network, the nation's first 24/7/365 live sports talk radio network. One-On-One expanded into group ownership in 1997 with station acquisitions in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, and Miami. In 2000 Duncan helped facilitate the sale of OOO to Paul Allen's Vulcan Sports Ventures through the acquisition of The Sporting News and the formation of Sporting News Radio. He remained with Allen's company through 2004. During this 11-year period, Duncan was involved with multiple development initiatives, including 1994 World Cup soccer broadcasts, 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, NFL Europe, national PBP rights deals with University of Michigan, University of Washington, USC, the Boston Celtics, Arena Football, and the American Forces Radio Network.
In 2005 Duncan launched a boutique production and distribution company in suburban Chicago, followed by the formation of Rocky Mountain Radio through the acquisition of a five-station Colorado cluster. In 2014 he joined Kovas Communications as general manager of their Evanston-based WCGO Radio. Following the February 2014 acquisition of the GAB Radio Network, the company is now poised to expand its content offerings through its Chicago outlet, while focusing on expansion of services made available through GAB.
While radio is one of Duncan's passions, every life needs positive counterbalance. He serves as president of the board for Chicago nonprofit Last Chance House, is involved with the Beagle Freedom Project, and spends as much time with his family as possible. He plays acoustic guitar, does custom woodworking, and continues his perpetual home remodeling project.
Email: cduncan@smarttalkradionetwork.com
Phone: 847-292-2721
RANDALL BOETTGER
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Randall Boettger has been with WCGO/GAB/STRN for three years. In that time he has run every show, seen every situation, and came through it with his sanity mostly intact. He describes himself as an audio wizard who "can make the worst sounding show sing and take the most novice host and mold them into a strong voice for their brand."
He was a top-of-the-class graduate at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting, earning his degree in technical operations from the school of "Why is that thing smoking?" In his off time, he enjoys playing hockey, throwing darts, and all things Denver.
Email: randall@smarttalkradionetwork.com
Phone: 847-425-0321
MIKE MICHALSKI
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Mike Michalski has been with WCGO since the summer of 2014. A 2012 graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College Chicago, Mike was hired straight out of college by the legendary Marconi Award-winning Jonathon Brandmeier to produce his morning show on WGN Radio. Born in the south suburbs of Chicago, Mike now lives on Chicago’s North Side with his fiancée. In their free time, they like to watch movies, play board and dice games, go bowling, sing karaoke, and make sure they’re all caught up with "Jeopardy.” Mike is also an award-winning haikuist and a dog owner.
ANDY MILES
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Andy Miles has been with the SmartTalk Radio Network since it launched in 2019. He previously has written for various publications on the arts, history & culture, made audio documentaries, worked in radio and public television, owned and operated a company specializing in congressional hearing transcripts, and for nine years owned and managed the gallery/shop/performance and teaching space Transistor Chicago. He currently operates AM/FM, under which Transistor Radio, Transistor Sound, and Studio C reside. Born near Chicago and currently residing in Evanston, he has also called Madison, Washington, D.C., Berlin, and Chicago home. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, plays drums and bass, loves going to the movies, and is a tennis, soccer, basketball, biking, ping-pong, and golf enthusiast.
Email: andy@smarttalkradionetwork.com
Phone: 224-307-8166
(During this period of COVID-19 containment, please call me at 312-631-9408; for the indefinite future, I will not be receiving calls on the 224 number listed above.)
JUSTIN ROTHMAN
STUDIO MANAGER
As the son of a media producer, Justin started early in the audio/video industry. From working as a grip at age 12, to being behind the camera at 15, to being technical director at 18 for many live events, Justin gained tons of experience at an early age. He is a graduate of Illinois Media School (formerly Illinois Center for Broadcasting), specializing in media/audio video broadcasting, with a focus in radio. After a long stint as a freelance audio/video engineer, he became lead technician and tech supervisor for PSAV.
Justin is also a longtime radio personality and show producer. He started with his own two-hour show at school, while interning for 103.5 KissFM. With a school friend, he launched the talk show “The Other Side of the Game” on Slam Internet Radio. Soon after, he became host and producer for “The Left Field Radio Show” on WESM 88.9 FM and “The Kitchen Heat” on WNUR 89.3 FM (Northwestern University).
In addition to working at WCGO/GAB/STRN full time, Justin is a freelance podcast producer with many shows and stations throughout Chicago. When he’s not working, he spends his free time with his 11-year-old son, CJ, playing and watching sports!
DARIAN SIMS
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER
Darian Sims, a graduate of the illustrious Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a degree in Cinematography, joined the WCGO/GAB/STRN team in March of 2018. Having also received two certifications from the Illinois Media School in Lombard, his background is heavy in sports, video and audio. In his spare time, Darian is one of the hottest karaoke DJs and hosts on the South Side of Chicago. With a can-do attitude and his motor always going at 150 percent, Darian brings mountains of love and compassion to everything he touches! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Darian "D. Silk" Sims!
Darian hosts The Darian America Show on WCGO Radio Saturdays from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Central. You can also hear Darian on his two GAB Radio Network features "How I See It" and “News For You."
JACK LAWSON
AUDIO PRODUCER; TRAFFIC MANAGER
Jack started his radio career playing little records with big holes, then big records with little holes, carts, CDs, and now he spends his studio time chasing mice around.
"I've worked with some great people on teams at legendary call letter radio stations", Jack says, "and now am excited to be part of the team at the SmartTalk Radio Network using the latest technology to bring compelling entertainment to our audience."
Jack has an extensive Hawaiian shirt collection, and when he's not in the studio, he is out doing something in the sun (even in the winter).
