Arnie Coones
Station Manager / On-Air Personality
Born:  Montreal, Canada
Email: Arnie@PraiseFM.com

Arnie was born in a country called Canada and became a Christian at 17.  He moved to Florida in 1992 to serve as a Youth Pastor at First Assembly of God in Naples.

He is married to the lovely Shelre’.  Arnie loves Jesus, hot dogs and bugs bunny, which may explain a lot.  He is a volunteer football coach at Lely High School and became an American Citizen in 2007.  He hopes to one day hold an elected office as…. President!

The first album Arnie bought was “The Partridge Family,” his first Christian album was by Larry Norman.  He still collects sports cards and Jerry Lewis still makes him laugh.

Arnie’s favorite scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Shelre’ Joy Coones
Director of Operations / On-Air Personality
Born:  Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Email: Shelrejoy@PraiseFM.com

Shelre’ Joy and her family moved to Florida when she was two years old.  Her family was very musical and travelled throughout the U.S. and Canada preaching and singing.  She recorded her first album at age 15, and has collaborated with many other musicians throughout her career doing background vocals and jingles. 

Shelre’ came to Naples, Florida in 1988 and her career at Praise FM began when First Assembly Ministries started operating the radio station in 1994.  She performs a multitude of duties including the programming and traffic departments, in addition to producing several weekly programs.  She is the heart of Praise FM!

Shelre’ and Arnie were married in 1997 and her favorite scripture is Isaiah 41:10.

Jim Channell
Morning Show (M-F) 6 AM – 9 AM / Music Director
Born: Chicago, IL
Born Again: November 5th, 1978 on the interstate listening to WMBI Christian radio from Chicago
Email:  Jim@PraiseFM.com

Jim grew up in Chicago, and he attended Columbia College, where he discovered an interest in radio.  Jim entered Midwestern Broadcasting School and upon graduation, his first radio job took him to WCHI – Chillicothe, Ohio.  Jim had one goal in mind – to make it back to Chicago radio!  In 1975 (as Captain Whammo on WDHF/WMET - Chicago) he was voted one of the Top 4 DJs in America by Billboard Magazine!

On November 5, 1978 through a series of God-ordained circumstances, Jim accepted Jesus as personal savior as he cried out for forgiveness of his sins.  In 1981, God opened a door for Jim to begin his Christian radio ministry.  He has worked at WCRM – Dundee, IL; WCFL – Chicago (when it was a Christian station for a time); WAYJ – Ft. Myers, FL; World Harvest Radio WHME – South Bend, IN; and now since 1998 as Morning Host at Praise FM (WSRX) in Naples, FL.

In February 2006 Jim started the world’s first Christian Oldies program, “Classic Christian Gold.”  The program airs on Praise FM each week and on a multitude of Christian radio stations worldwide!  Through this ministry he shares Jesus in Africa, Kenya, New Zealand, the Phillipines, France, the UK, Alaska, Canada, Puerto Rico, Haiti and the U.S.A.

Jim’s goal in life is very simple – “To live in peace – and share Jesus”!  Amen!

Click here to read Jim’s complete bio

Curt D. Baker
Underwriting Director
Born:  Rochelle, Illinois
Email: cbaker@PraiseFM.com

Curt is a 28-year veteran of the radio broadcast industry, and has worn many hats along the way.  Over those years he has accumulated 12,000 hours of announcing experience in a wide variety of formats, including easy listening, beautiful music, country, and others (even polka!)  He has also
served as producer for a news/talk format, and as a weatherman for WOC-TV in Davenport, Iowa. 

Following a passion to share his faith and further the gospel through Christian radio, in April of 2000 he eagerly accepted an opening in advertising/underwriting sales at WQFL/WGSL radio in Rockford, Illinois. 

Curt came on board at Praise FM in May 2007.  He gladly serves as our Underwriting Director, responsible for helping generate the daily revenues needed to operate the radio station.

Curt and his wife Heather were married in 1979, and have four grown boys.  One of his favorite Bible verses is Psalm 19:7:  "The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul."

Soozie Skye
Community Service Program & On-Air Drive Personality Side Kick
Born: Norton, VA (Southwest VA- GOD's country)
Email: soozie100@comcast.net

I LOVE GOD, life, family, friends and PRAISE FM.

I have listened to Praise FM for years but only became involved when “Karole with a K” asked me to pray about doing a community service show on the air. I responded with a quick YES…  I love radio and jumped at the opportunity.  That was 2002 and I enjoy my time on the air today as much as I did the first week.

I feel blessed to be able to be part of this wonderful radio ministry.  I interview a lot of interesting organizations for my “Focus on the Community” program which airs Saturdays at 9 AM and Sundays at 5:50 PM.  I’m also on the air with Arnie during the Drive Home Party Fridays from 4 PM to 6 PM
 
My cat, Ms. Kiddie Kit Kat Cocoa Puff Channel Huff, is the boss of my house, she allows me to live with her and take care of her.

My favorite scripture is ROMANS 11:17.

Karole (with a K) Davis
Volunteer
Born:  Boston, MA
Email: Karole@PraiseFM.com

Karole (with a K) spent the first twelve years of her life in the Boston area before her family moved to sunny Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  She spent years in the corporate world working for various corporations and small businesses in human resources, office administration and marketing.  Karole relocated to Naples in 1990 and has called it home Florida ever since.  She is married to the most wonderful husband in the world, and has been blessed with family and friends that show her what true Christianity is all about.

Karole has been with our radio ministry since 2001; she began part-time then remained as a volunteer because of her passion for this station.  Her first position was the Business Underwriting Manager and she then added Marketing functions to the position at the station because she enjoys telling the world about this great radio station!  

Karole is now blessed to serve as the Director of Public Relations for Sky Angel headqartered in Naples.  Sky Angel is a national provider of the widest range of faith-based and family-friendly television and radio programming.  You might want to check them out online at www.skyangel.com.

Karole also helps Praise FM staff both on-air and off because she loves the music we play and has a great time representing the station at concerts and events.