Born in New York City but raised
upstate, WKOK's Matt Farrand calls Geneva (NY) his hometown. Matt
remembers, "I grew up pretty much on the campus of Hobart and
William Smith College. The radio station was one of my hang-outs
as a nine or ten year old. The college kids let me watch them do
their things on the air. When the second hand of the clock on the
studio wall would hit "12," and one of the guys would start
delivering the news or sports… Well, it left a big impression."
Later, as a high schooler, Matt was transfixed by news, sports,
and talk radio on the big clear channel AM stations of the day.
Matt's career of nearly thirty
years in radio news and other media in began upstate and
progressed from there. He has been motivated primarily by the goal
of, "…making everything I put on the air resonate with the
listener. The man or woman listening should have no doubt that
what they're hearing is clear and of importance to them." Matt has
also done news in Texas (KFRO Longview), news and public affairs
for WMCA New York, local cable television news (News 12 Long
Island), wrote business news for the Financial News Network and
written for a number of print publications. His television career
was additionally highlighted by a five year stint as News Director
for a small but scrappy news department in New York's Southern
Tier (WICZ-TV Binghamton).
Matt continues, "My career has
also had periods where I have not been on the air, selling retail
running footwear and apparel and serving as a Sports Information
Director for a small four year college. These jobs have helped me
see more closely what motivates a wide variety of people, what
they like, how they communicate and what they aspire to.
Ultimately, it all helps me be a better radio reporter."
A competitive runner, cyclist
and triathlete since 1977, Matt has competed in more than 15
marathons and two Olympic distance triathlons. Moreover, he is
collecting notes for his personal memoirs, and is a frequent
contributor of articles about running, film reviews and ideas to
Lewisburg based Runners Gazette.
