Mark Ondayko

Michael "Mark" "Mike" Ondayko (born 1963) is an American radio broadcaster heard mornings on WRNR (103.1) Annapolis/Baltimore. Prior to 'RNR, Mike held down afternoons at WZBA (2011 to 2013). Mike is probably most remembered for his role at WIYY Balitmore. Mike was known as "Mark" from 1995 to 2007 and was co-host of the Kirk, Mark and Lopez morning show on 98 Rock.

While at 98 Rock, Ondayko was a four-time co-nominee (with Kirk McEwen and R. Edward Lopez) for Active Rock Morning Show Personality of the Year.[1] Following Lopez's tragic death from cancer, Kirk McEwen and "Mark" remained for several years before moving across town to CBS Radio's guy-talk station, 105.7 WHFS. Baltimore's radio station WHFS (105.7).[2]

Ondayko is a native of Middletown, Pennsylvania, and has worked in radio since 1978 (at the age of 14). Ondayko has hosted morning shows in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Pensacola, Florida, and Augusta, Georgia, before coming to WIYY "98 Rock" in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1994.[3] During his career, he has also worked as program director at WHTF York, WZXL Atlantic City, and WTKX Pensacola.[4]

Following Ondayko and McEwen's move on February 1, 2007 to WHFS in Baltimore, the show became known as KMS (The Kirk and Mark Show). After a year and a half, the duo left when the station's format changed to Sports Talk on November 3, 2008.[5]

In May 2009 Ondayko decided to do something completely different when he opened his own insurance agency (Ondayko Insurance Strategies). The agency offered small business and individuals supplemental insurance benefits as well as medical insurance.

Two years later, on June 20, 2011 Ondayko re-entered the radio business, joining Times-Shamrock's classic rock outlet in Baltimore WZBA (100.7 The Bay) first as an Account Executive then as afternoon personality in July 2012 when Mike took over for Albie Dee. He remained with WZBA through September 2013.

In March 2015, Ondayko took over as a temporary host of the then vacant morning drive slot on 103.1 WRNR, an independently owned, Triple A formatted, Annapolis based station. In July 2015 Mike became the station Web Master and Social Media Director. Unfortunately, due to health concerns, Ondayko left WRNR in November 2015.

He is currently retired.

References

  1. ↑ Radio and Records Magazine
  2. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ondayko
  3. ↑ "Mike Ondayko's Bio". WZBA-FM. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  4. ↑ Gabriele, Tony (November 7, 1990). "Just for Connie Chung". Daily Press (Hampton Roads, Virginia). Retrieved January 26, 2014. ... WTKX Program Director Mike Ondayko said last week.
  5. ↑ Something to talk about: 105.7 FM switches to sports

External links

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