WZEZ 100.5 FM Personality Page

Mark Niemand

"Mark in the Morning" has been on the air since WZEZ first signed on in 2000. Host Mark Niemand brings a unique blend of humor as well as nearly 20 years of broadcast experience to the show. A graduate of VCU, Mark was born in Fredericksburg, VA, but raised in Keyser, West Virginia, home of the Golden Tornado. Mark insists that one of the most profound experiences of his life was trying on his first pair of shoes at the age of 27.

Along with his work at WZEZ, Mark has also been Operations Manager of WDYL-FM and General Manager of WYNX in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mark's guests on "Mark in the Morning" have included Rusty Wallace, Leeza Gibbons, Bobby Vinton, Jerry Mathers ("Leave It to Beaver"), Dwayne Hickman ("The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis") and a cavalcade of others. On the first and last Mondays of each month in the 8 o'clock hour he's joined in the studio by NY Times best-selling author Cathy Maxwell (cathymaxwell.com) and Kelly Justice of Fountain Bookstore (fountainbookstore.com) for "Books!", a look at new releases for readers of all interests and ages.

In 2005, following bypass surgery, Mark contracted a life-threatening infection that left him in a coma and kept him out of work for nearly three and a half months. "I still hear from people who say 'Mark, we were praying for you,'" Mark says. "I can never thank all the listeners who kept me in prayer and still remind me to take care of myself."

Although he still receives Christmas cards from many fast-food chains, Mark's now-healthy lifestyle includes a zero-tolerance of fried foods and two-mile walks with Elvis the Wonder Dog. Join him weekdays from 6 am til 10 am. "Mark in the Morning: where the sky's the limit and the caffeine is always within reach!"

TRIVIA NOTE: Mark was the staff member who first suggested WZEZ as the call letters for the new station. What was the station almost called?   WGZR

Theresa Gerard

Theresa is from Knoxville, Tennessee and she graduated Magna Cum Laude from New Hope Bible College in 2003. A beautiful Yorkshire Terrier named Traci is Theresa's "only child" and her favorite color is Mauve. When she isn't reading or collecting Mary Higgins Clark novels, you might catch her relaxing at the theatre or the movies. Historial landmarks and Antebellum Style Architecture have always peaked her interest.

Theresa enjoys collecting antiques, art, miniature clocks, swans, Austin Sculptures, & Marilyn Monroe memorabilia. A few of her favorite Cities are Charleston, SC, Savannah, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. but she loves to visit Monticello in Charlottesville. You will often hear her listening to Shirley Caesar, Larnelle Harris, and Donnie McClurkin.