Staff Photos and Bios

Ryan Freed grew up in London, Ohio, where a life-changing experience at a Christian school helped strengthen his faith and set him on the path toward a career in Christian broadcasting. After earning a degree in Communications from Cedarville University, he began his radio career, serving at stations in Alaska and Ohio before joining the Kinship Radio family in 2020.

As Kinship Radio’s Morning Show Co-Host and Production Manager, Ryan loves encouraging listeners each day with uplifting conversation, meaningful music, and the hope found in Jesus Christ. His passion is to help people start each morning with faith, joy, and a reminder that God is at work in their lives.

Ryan and his wife, Kris, have been married since 2002 and are raising seven children, so life is rarely quiet. When he’s away from the microphone, he enjoys fishing, hunting, foraging, and exploring Minnesota’s hiking trails with his family.Ryan Freed grew up in London, Ohio, where a life-changing experience at a Christian school helped strengthen his faith and set him on the path toward a career in Christian broadcasting. After earning a degree in Communications from Cedarville University, he began his radio career, serving at stations in Alaska and Ohio before joining the Kinship Radio family in 2020.

As Kinship Radio’s Morning Show Co-Host and Production Manager, Ryan loves encouraging listeners each day with uplifting conversation, meaningful music, and the hope found in Jesus Christ. His passion is to help people start each morning with faith, joy, and a reminder that God is at work in their lives.

Ryan and his wife, Kris, have been married since 2002 and are raising seven children, so life is rarely quiet. When he’s away from the microphone, he enjoys fishing, hunting, foraging, and exploring Minnesota’s hiking trails with his family.

LaDonna is the Morning Show Co-Host who brings a blend of passion and purpose to her listeners at Kinship Radio. LaDonna combines her professional background advocating for abuse survivors with a deep heart for service. Her career shows a commitment to supporting others, a dedication that extends into her personal ministry as a worship leader at Iglesia Nueva Creacion.

A native of Mankato and proud of her Salvadorian heritage, LaDonna balances her professional life with her greatest joy: her family. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Derick, with whom she has three children. In her downtime, she enjoys family outings, shopping, traveling, and trying new restaurants with friends. 

Heather was born and raised in Michigan and earned a degree in Communications from Western Michigan University. She began her career in Christian radio in 1997 with no prior broadcasting experience. Through hard work and a passion for connecting with listeners, she grew into a morning show host, building a reputation for her warm personality and authentic style.

In 2003, Heather stepped away from full-time radio to focus on raising her family after the birth of her first child. A decade later, in 2013, God opened the door for her to return to Christian radio, where she has continued encouraging listeners with faith-filled conversations and relatable life experiences.

With more than two decades of experience in Christian broadcasting, Heather is a trusted voice known for her energy, positivity, and compassionate heart. She loves sharing authentic encouragement and reminding listeners of God’s faithfulness through the everyday moments of life.

Heather and her husband, Paul, have three adult children and two crazy cats. Outside the studio, she enjoys gardening, reading, and cheering on just about any sporting event.

Jack Robertson has dedicated more than 36 years to radio broadcasting and continues to have a deep passion for serving others through ministry. His voice and heart for connection have made a lasting impact both on and off the air.

Jack has been married to his wife, Teresa, for 30 years, and together they’ve raised two children, Caleb and Tiffany. Now enjoying life as empty nesters, they’ve filled their home—and hearts—with a lively crew of animals, including several dogs and Brownie the donkey, who holds a special place as Jack’s very spoiled favorite.

Ministry is at the center of Jack’s life. In addition to his work in radio, he serves as an Associate Pastor at his church. He is actively involved in jail ministry, serves as a Police Chaplain, and regularly ministers at a men’s faith-based recovery center. Whether behind a microphone or face-to-face, Jack is committed to sharing hope, encouragement, and the love of Christ wherever he goes.

Chris began his radio career more than 40 years ago in Grand Rapids Michigan. He began as a volunteer and intern at WCSG-FM while in college, and finished his tenure there 40 years later as the ministry’s Executive Director in 2021.

After leaving WCSG, he formed Lemke Media Partners to coach and consult nationally Christian radio industry colleagues in leadership, donor/business development, and programming roles.

In November of 2025, Lemke accepted the invitation to become Kinship Radio’s Executive Director.

He and his bride of 38 years, Susan, have six children, three of whom are married, and five grandchildren.

Tracy joined the Kinship Radio family in October 2008 as Senior Bookkeeper and now serves as the Director of Operations and Finance. A longtime listener of Kinship Radio, Tracy and her family have enjoyed many of the concerts, events, and ministry opportunities that have impacted the region over the years.

Before joining Kinship Radio, Tracy worked at a church where she found great fulfillment in helping share God’s Word through ministry. When that chapter came to a close, she prayed for the Lord’s direction and guidance for what was next. God faithfully answered those prayers by opening the door for her to become part of the Kinship Radio family—a place where she continues to serve with gratitude and purpose.

Tracy is passionate about supporting the ministry behind the scenes and helping ensure that Kinship Radio continues to communicate that Jesus is Lord through worship and the Word.

Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time outdoors. Whether she’s digging in the garden, relaxing on the front porch with a good book, or watching the wildlife around her home, she appreciates the beauty of God’s creation.

One of Tracy’s favorite Bible verses is Philippians 4:4:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Mark is Kinship Radio’s Chief Engineer. His interest in the field was stoked when his father gave him a beginner’s AM radio kit, which he built and then listened to a Christian radio station after bedtime. In college, he received a degree in Integrated Studies in Missions from Denver Baptist Bible College. Mark then found himself back in Christian radio, moving to Maryland and serving as Chief Engineer at WOLC-FM for 26 years. He joined Kinship Radio in 2011 and has had a direct hand in Kinship Radio’s expansion in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa since then. Mark and his wife Carol have four children and two grandchildren.

Eric has dedicated his career to encouraging listeners in their walk with Jesus. A graduate of Cedarville College (now Cedarville University), he began his broadcasting journey with their network of stations serving Southwestern and Central Ohio. After nearly two decades of faithful service to that community, Eric and his family relocated to South Florida, where he joined Moody Radio at their Boynton Beach station. That signal reached from Palm Beach County all the way down to Miami—and even into parts of the Bahamas.

Today, Eric serves as Operations Manager at Kinship Radio and hosts Sunday Mornings, where he continues to share hope and truth with listeners. Throughout his career, he has covered major events such as the Women of Faith Conferences, the Creation Museum Grand Opening, Awana’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, and the 60th Anniversary of Missionary Flights International.

Eric and his wife, Simone, have been married for over 30 years and are the proud parents of seven children who keep life full and joyful.

Anna joined the Kinship Radio team in November of 2021. She works for the ministry in the bookkeeping area and serves as our Traffic Director.

Anna grew up in southern Minnesota, went to college at Gustavus Adolphus College and married a farmer from Nicollet County.  Tim and Anna made their home on the family farm, and raised three children in the St. Peter area.

Anna says “We are reminded daily of the many ways God has blessed us.  Our career pathways, our community involvement, and especially our relationships speak to God’s abundance in our lives.”  When not consumed with family things, she likes to read, garden, attend sporting events, and spend time at the cabin in northern Minnesota.

I have had the joy of serving at Kinship Radio in the bookkeeping department since fall of 2007.

The Lord blessed me richly with Christian parents and extended family in North Central Iowa. My faith was nurtured and grew at home and in the Bible-believing country church nearby.

My husband and I live in St. Peter and our five children are all on their own. I enjoy spending time with our grandchildren. I also try to make time for walking and bicycle riding, reading, lunch with friends and travel.

Sadie joined Kinship Radio in February 2026 as the Lead Receptionist and Office Coordinator. Originally from Minneapolis, she has called southern Minnesota home since 2017 and now lives in Wells with her husband, Adam, their four children, and three dogs.

Sadie has a deep love for music and cherishes spending quality time with her family. She also enjoys reading and has a passion for continually learning and growing.

Mike works part-time in the Engineering Department, supporting operations primarily in Iowa. He brings valuable experience from his work as a contract engineer for several radio stations in Northeast Iowa.

Semi-retired from a distinguished career in criminal justice, Mike continues to share his knowledge as a professor at local colleges. He also serves as a Deacon at his church and enjoys playing bass and 12-string guitar with the worship team. Mike and his wife, Carmen, have been married for 45 years and have three children.

An avid Amateur Radio operator, Mike enjoys connecting with people around the world and once even spoke with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station from his home radio station.

Mike has been a Christ follower since 1976 and considers it a blessing to work with Kinship Radio, helping transmit the gospel message throughout Minnesota and Iowa.