Sylvia Waldsmith brings, not only a women’s perspective to Rockford morning radio, but, also a great deal of life experience. Sylvia and her husband, Al, own their own business, Town and Country Feed and Garden Center. She received her Culinary Arts degree from Blackhawk Technical College in 2004 and has written her own cookbook. Sylvia was born and raised in Rockford and attended Rockford Public Schools. She has worked in the insurance industry, television and radio fields. Sylvia has been deeply involved with numerous charitable organizations and fund raisers. She has two beautiful, talented step-daughters, Whitney and Julia; both attend the University of Illinois at Champaign. She enjoys all sports and her favorite teams are all from Chicago - Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks and Bulls. Though this causes heartache year after year, she keeps going back with the attitude “there is always next year!”

WNTA Midday host Ken DeCoster focuses on the news of the day each weekday between 10 am and 1 pm. Ken's show includes timely interviews with newsmakers and reaction from listeners. He has covered countless news stories and press conferences since beginning his broadcast career in Rockford in April of 1981. He is the longest tenured broadcast journalist in the Forest City and was recognized by the Associated Press as "Best Downstate Radio News Reporter" in 1992. Ken loves politics, American History, and breaking news stories. While Ken is devoted to radio... his true loves are his bride, Kristina, and their beautiful daughter, Carrie Elizabeth.

After 2 years at the University of Illinois and graduating from Midwestern Broadcasting School, I got my first radio gig at WHBY in Appleton Wisconsin. I was doing afternoon DJ work and assisting in play-by-play Baseball announcing for the Fox City Foxes, a farm club of the Chicago White Sox. From there I went to St. Charles Missouri for a three year stint at KWRE radio where I again was a DJ and was in sales. My big break was a job offer at WROK in Rockford in 1965. In 1992 I went to be with a former partner, Dan Willis, where we did mornings on WOKY in Milwaukee. I came back to Rockford to do mornings on WNTA in March of 1994. I am married to my First ( and only) wife Mary. Together we have a son Doug Jr, a daughter Heather. The family expands with son-in-law Tim and a daughter-in-law Patti and the joys of my life Ian, Olivia, Harrison and Theodore - my amazing grand-kids. I love living in Rockford and hope to finish my career here (in about 20 years).

Bruce Butler brings to WNTA over 25 years of experience in broadcasting and a true love and passion for the business. Bruce, a recent winner of the Best Radio Personality Award from the Illinois Broadcasters Association, comes to Rockford from Evansville, Indiana. Bruce is married and he and his wife Lynn have a young daughter named Laurel. He loves movies, traveling and has been known to light up the occasional cigar (his favorite cigar is CAO Criollo). In addition, Bruce's favorite movie is "Raging Bull", and his favorite city is New Orleans.

For the last four decades, Dean Ervin has been an important part of Rockford Radio. He has covered nearly all of the major news events in our community. His show features of what happened today and what it means to the people of Rockford. Dean also hosts the Saturday Shopper on WNTA. He more so than any other media expert - understands how to communicate a business or an organization's message to the community at large.

Fred Speer joins Dean Ervin during Heading Home with Dean Ervin. Fred Speer graduated from West High School in 1955. He attended Columbia College – Chicago IL. He also interned for two years at NBC Radio and TV in Chicago IL. Fred worked two years at 1090AM WKBZ in Muskegon, Michigan. Fred most recently worked at WROK-AM in the new department for 44 years.

Mark was born and raised in the Chicago area. He got the radio bug from my 7th grade English teacher, Fred Mumaugh, who worked at WAJP in Joliet. When it came time to further his education Mark attended college at Western Kentucky University and then broadened his horizons and his intellect at Universite Paul Valery in Montpellier, France majoring in foreign languages. Mark joined the local news team at WNTA in August of 1992. He's been awarded Associated Press awards for Best Newscast and Best Use of Radio Sound. Mark was the former President of the Associated Press Board of Directors in Indiana before coming to WNTA.