Greater Media/WRIF-FM One Radio Plaza , Detroit

WRIF Account Manager Stacey Latona started in radio as an air personality before settling in to sales. Stacey is just one of several Specs Howard graduates who work for WRIF.

The "Home of Rock 'n Roll" has many ties to Specs Howard School. Not only was Specs Howard's Dick Kernen there (pictured above right) when the station first moved to the FM dial, he's the one who brought legendary jock Arthur Penhallow to WRIF in the first place.

Since then WRIF's Operations Manager Doug Podell, a radio legend in his own right, has been made an "Honorary Grad" for his contribution to the industry and for mentoring future broadcasters by speaking at school events.

"The one thing that I have found through the Specs Howard graduates and through the program," he said during a recent interview, "is that for the most part, they have been the most reliable and responsible kids in the building."

And Podell would know. On his current air staff, four are Specs Howard graduates: Screamin' Scott Randall, Ann Carlini, Mike Staff, and Tiny Tim.

In addition, several more behind the scenes got their start at Specs Howard School:

While it's rare that students just out of Specs Howard School go directly to a major-market station like WRIF, it figures into many grads' long term plans. Many students get their feet wet as interns and find themselves returning years later once they've paid their dues at smaller market stations.

WRIF recently moved into new offices along with sister stations, Magic (WMGC) and WCSX. Pictured above center is Specs Grad Maria DiMichele with National Sales Manager Michael Mayer (left) and Event Coordinator Ken Wasilewski (seated at right). Maria works in WRIF's promotions department along with two other grads.

Bentley, an intern for the Drew & Mike Morning Show, is at work in one of WRIF's new studios.

Read more about WRIF.