Radio Network Staff
Cecil Van Houten, Program Director
When Cecil was a kid, listening to distant AM radio stations became a way of life. Radio fascinated him - the whole concept of an announcer in a studio who could be heard hundreds of miles away on a tiny transistor radio. The notion became imbedded in Cecil's memory, and his desire to connect with people through radio grew over the passing years.
After college, Cecil worked in radio, television and the music business (both as a performer and on the ‘bidness’ side) for 30 years. He came to Family Life in 2006, and now as Program Director, manages the day-to-day operations of the radio network. He came to FLN with a desire to serve something greater than ambition and career goals. That "something greater" was to communicate Christ's message of hope in the same way Cecil had heard on his transistor radio so many years ago.
One of the things Cecil most enjoys is Family Life’s weekly staff meetings. He usually slips into the room a few minutes early and begins playing worship choruses and old hymns on the piano. As people enter the room they begin to sing, softly at first, and then louder and more confidently, until the entire staff comes together in praise to God. It’s a unifying, mystifying, and humbling experience.
Cecil and Connie, his wife, have three grown kids, six grandchildren and a bouncy, black lab named Cricket.
Kevin VanBuren, Production Director
To Kevin, it hardly seems like work to blend creative scripts, sound effects, and music beds into promotional spots and creative dramas for radio. However, the best part of his job is interacting with Christian leaders and business professionals to plan, create, and produce promotional tools for their organizations. He loves helping others use Family Life resources.
Kevin came to know Christ when he was 11 years old after watching a Billy Graham Crusade on television. In the years following, Kevin took a stand for Jesus at public school, a time that really developed his faith as a Christian. After graduating from high school, God took him to Liberty University and gave him a love for radio ministry.
Kevin joined Family Life in May of 1987 shortly after graduating college at Liberty University. It was Kevin's friendship with a college buddy, Randy Snavely, that eventually led him into taking a radio position at Family Life. 30 years later, Kevin is still spreading the Gospel through the awesome avenue of radio.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Kim, the family has been blessed with four daughters. (He thanks God daily for owning a home with more than one bathroom.) Kevin enjoys deer hunting and taking his family to the Adirondacks for summer vacation in their old pop-up camper. There's no bathroom in the camper, but fortunately there’s always the woods.
Trudi Cook, Radio Receptionist
Family Life radio staff wouldn’t survive long without Trudi, our Jill-of-all-trades. She takes radio questions from listeners, schedules on-air radio promotions, handles program sponsorships, has plenty of writing and editing responsibilities, and plans events. But above all, Trudi makes sure Rick, our president, has what he needs. She’s also the lady to visit if you need Tylenol.
Previously, Trudi worked as a secretary for an assortment of small business in the Philadelphia area. While in Philly, changes in Trudi’s personal life coincided with a feeling that she was being called to relocate to Western NY with her family. She then moved to NY trusting that God would provide her with a job.
She’d been an avid listener to Christian radio for many years, so when the Lord opened the door to work at Family Life Network, Trudi knew this was part of God’s plan for her life. She marvels at how the experience gleaned through past jobs was just the training she needed to meet the needs of her diverse position at Family Life.
Trudi is happy to live in the country overlooking one of the beautiful Finger Lakes, where her family includes a large affectionate dog and a couple of cats. She enjoys crafting and sewing, and has been excited to use those interests serving as the “craft lady” at Family Life’s Kid’s Kamp for many years.
Denny Brownlee, Show Host/Creative Writer & Actor
Denny can be heard each weekday on the Family Life Network, and is married to Family Life staff writer, Sandy Brownlee. Denny’s greatest desire is “to make people laugh” and thus point others to the joy of the Lord. He has often marveled, “the stuff that used to get me in trouble in school is now the stuff God uses for His purposes.” Whether performing on stage or behind a microphone, Denny considers it his job to: glorify God each day and to point his audience to Him, uplift people with laughter and joy, and give his listeners a positive alternative to what the world offers on morning radio.
Sonny Delfyette, Show Host / Sports Anchor
Sonny joins Denny to wake up listeners with a smile. With an encouraging song, an encouraging word, and a chuckle or three ... every morning is "Sonny-er" on the Family Life Network. Along with being co-cost of the morning show, Sonny also mans the Sports Desk to report the latest national and regional sports news.
Sonny comes to FLN with 28 years of radio experience. He has worked in Baltimore, Kansas City, Virginia Beach, Detroit, West Palm Beach and most recently on a nationally syndicated show based out of Los Angeles, California.
Wow - Sonny had finally hit the big time ... or had he?
While living in Los Angeles, two disasters (the Chatsworth fires and the Chatsworth train-wreck) both happened less than three miles from his house. It was as if the Lord was trying to get his attention. Sonny prayed, "Lord, if you don't want me here, take me away." Sonny clearly heard God ask, "Are you sure?" Sonny's eyes quickly filled his tears as he replied, "Yes, as long as I know it's you, Lord." That same week Rick Snavely sent Sonny an email saying he had a job and a home for Sonny at Family Life. Less than a week later, and knowing exactly where he was heading, Sonny's fun-in-the-sun was over. Hello Family Life Network and snowy Bath, NY!
Sonny is a proud husband to Nicole. The couple has a daughter, Simone, and share a happy home with a rescued German Sheppard named Mimi. Sonny's hobbies include rooting on his Pittsburgh Steelers and West Virginia Mountaineers. Oh, and playing an occasional video game or two. Some guys never grow up - that's our Sonny!
Here is an interview with Sonny to get to know him better:
Natalie Thomas, Mid-day Show Host
Natalie thinks outside the box, and other days, won’t even go near it. As a kid, she dreamed about being a narrator, a cartoon voice, a Muppet, or any fun creation that added to the “theater of the mind.” Perhaps that’s why she’s described as a “real character” - several of them, actually – by those who know her best.
Natalie is FLN's Mid-day Host, combining encouraging music and programming with great comedy. She also helps the network with copy writing, voice work, and production. The best part about her job is waking up excited to go to work in morning. Thank goodness for Natalie, people do get paid to goof off. However, her life, like most people's, has been full of ups and downs.
After losing her 11-year marriage, Natalie had a "crisis of belief.” Making the decision to turn to God for healing, Natalie left mainstream radio after being in the industry for over fourteen years. It was then she began using her talents for Christ. In 2003, God orchestrated a series of events that led her to Tupelo Mississippi where she took a job at American Family Radio Network. That’s where she met her husband, Ed – the man Natalie had been praying for.
Soon the couple went in search of other job options with more evangelical opportunities. Both Ed and Natalie had past connections with Family Life, so the husband and wife team contacted the ministry about work. After many calls and interviews, FLN hired Natalie as morning show talent and Ed has an afternoon news anchor – a perfect fit for both!
Natalie also does outside voice work for radio, television, and the “on-hold” marketing world. (Your call is important to us. Please remain on the line and one of our service representatives will be right with you. Para instrucciones en español, la marca dos …)
George Sweatt, Radio Announcer / Family Hour Host / Youth Coordinator
God has gifted and blessed George with multiple talents and he uses them all at Family Life! George works in our radio and youth departments. His favorite part of both jobs is hearing about the change God causes in people lives - a big reward of ministry work.
George joins Hannah, Carter, and Miss Quick on Family Hour each week day to bring creative children’s programming to FLN’s listenership. In addition to hosting and producing Family Hour, George also is involved in Saturday morning's Kids Korner – cutting, mixing, and adding sound effects to the audio he records with the gang each week.
His love for kids and passion for Christ caused George to pursue a degree in youth ministry at Criswell College in Dallas, TX. After serving as youth pastor for eight years and working for a non-profit radio station for two years, George began praying for his next step in ministry.
It wasn’t long before God opened the door for an interview with Family Life. After visiting the ministry and spending several sleepless nights in prayer, George made the trek from Texas to join the Family Life team in June of 2008.
About a year into his work with FLN, George expressed interest in working for Family Life's youth department. Who were we to argue? So along with his radio responsibilities, George joins Katie Bernier in YA to help plan and coordinate events for teens and young adults.
While George may seem mild-mannered on the air, you’ll be surprised to know he's tested the limits of extreme sports. Bull-riding, skydiving, base-jumping, and bungee jumping are a few of his much loved, and otherwise crazy, things to do. Being raised in Texas, where snow is a rare commodity, George is looking forward to some good NY skiing when the flakes begin to fall.
Justin Dix, Weekend Radio Personality
Every Sunday morning, Justin seeks to redirect thoughts from crying children, bleary eyes, and what to wear -- to the God of
Creation: His goodness, greatness, and unconditional love. Justin also can be heard after Midnight. So when the baby makes demands at 3:00 am or when it's time to roll out of bed for a third shift, Justin is there with positive music and programs.
The perfect formula for peace and fulfillment is found in God's Will. For Justin, that led to working in Christian radio and teaching college students how they could do the same. It was a dream situation -- until one day the Lord began loosening the roots he'd put down in the Midwest. Ron Hutchcraft likened it to a mother eagle "stirring the nest" preparing the eaglets to fly. It was clear that God was calling Justin elsewhere to serve. After praying and seeking direction, a phone call came from FLN. Rick talked of a vision: of not just one station, but of building a network of stations that would minister and encourage.
To keep his mind fresh, Justin reads books, collect old radios, and listens to podcasts. He also dreams of visiting Alaska and riding a train across the country. However, his greatest treasure apart from following Christ, is growing together with his wonderful wife, Diane... and watching God unwrap the adventure that lies ahead!
Mary Giovinazzo, Radio Administrative Assistant / Children's Programming Director
Mary works in the radio division of Family Life as Director of Kids’ Korner – an originally produced kids program that airs every Saturday morning. As a creative script writer, Mary plans, writes, and selects music for Kids’ Korner each week, weaving the show around syndicated programming.
In addition to Kid’s Korner stuff, Mary also acts as an assistant to Program Director, Cecil VanHouten, and helps the morning crew with on-air contests, giveaways, and interviews. Her other duties include scheduling volunteers for concerts and Sharathon events.
Mary grew up fascinated with radio and pursued that interest at Ithaca College, majoring in Radio/TV. Before joining Family Life in 2000, she was on the staff at the Penn Yan Middle School working in the Guidance Department. Mary volunteered many times for FLN Sharathons in the 90’s and increasingly felt God’s pull to join the ministry in a full-time capacity.
Family is very important to Mary. She feels that God calls her to follow the example of her own grandmother and be the “best doggone Grandma” she can possibly be to her five grand-kids - two teenagers and three ‘little ones’ ... so far! She loves dogs – especially her own mutt, Allie.
Mary came to faith in Jesus Christ in 1973 and delights in His grace and mercy every day. She leads a Celebrate Recovery group and teaches Sunday School at her church. As Warren Wiersbe said “When God calls you to do a task for Him, He does not ask you to be adequate; He only asks that you be available."