Our Team

Brian Munse joined the Mars Hill Network in 2015, coming to us with a diverse background – technical and Scriptural. Brian graduated from Virginia Tech in 2004 with a degree in Business Information Technology with years of experience in the IT field following graduation. He then graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Masters of Theology Degree in 2015 before joining the Mars Hill Network team. He has been able to utilize all of his background at the network, formerly serving as Operations Manager and now serving as the network’s General Manager. Brian’s family includes his wife Becky and three children, Jacob, Katelynn, and Nathan. They serve/worship at Missio Church in downtown Syracuse, NY.

Gene met Jesus on September 29, 1971, after his future wife Dee witnessed to him in their high school cafeteria. Following graduation they attended different Bible schools, then re-connected and married on June 28, 1975. They moved to the North Country for work, but Gene still sensed the call of God on his life. When the company laid him off the Lord spoke to his heart and said, “Now you’re free to do what I’ve called you to do.” They moved to Oklahoma with their toddler son to attend Bible college, then returned the North Country with a baby daughter! Gene assisted in a church plant and 2 years later became the pastor of that newly formed church. He served for nearly 40 years as senior pastor and recently retired, wondering what Kingdom assignment God had for him. When the Mars Hill Network had an opening for a morning co-host he joyfully responded and now brings that pastoral encouragement to Mornings with Gene and Lynnette!

Teddy is very excited to work with us, doing what he loves all while serving the Lord Jesus Christ & sharing the Gospel. A Syracuse native of over 20 years, Teddy grew up listening to his father preach him the Gospel. However, it wasn’t until the summer of 2018 that he gave his life to Jesus while studying abroad in Oxford, England. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University in May 2020 with a bachelor’s (B.A.) in Journalism/Mass Communication & a minor in Marketing & also from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University a master’s (M.A.) in Television, Radio & Film in 2025. Teddy manages our digital media ministry “One North”, helping us improve our digital presence online & on social media, and “Mars Hill Alternate Xone” (MhAX), our extended youth/young adult ministry. He hosts our video series “Faith Feature” & our youth/young adults podcast “MhAX Impact”. He is also actively involved as an advisor to two student ministries at Syracuse University: Bridge & Graduate Christian Fellowship (GCF) of Intervarsity. Two of his favorite verses in the Bible (which were the first ones he memorized) are Romans 1:16 and John 10:10. The verse that brought him to salvation in Jesus Christ is Revelation 3:20.

If you stop by Mars Hill Network’s flagship station in Syracuse, NY, WMHR 102.9FM, you may just find the staff enjoying Valerie’s homemade cookies. When she’s not on the air with her encouraging words throughout the weekday, she’s probably taking care of little ones, Gideon and Ruby, or cooking, one of her favorite pastimes. A part of the Mars Hill Network team since 2006, Valerie has served in many positions, ranging from News Director, “Mornings” Co-host, to “Kids Corner” Producer. She and her husband, Craig, are also active members of their Liverpool, NY, church, teaching a Sunday School Class for Single Adults and leading a “Patch the Pirate Club” for kids.

Xander joined the Mars Hill Network as a production assistant in 2023.  He and Teddy Caputo co-host the Mhax Impact digital podcast. Xander has an Associates Degree in Broadcast Media Communications from Onondaga Community College, and a BA from SUNY Oswego, with a dual major of Music and Creative Writing.  Xander was awarded the Helen Buckley Award for Creative Writing, and earned the Dean’s Award for Writing in Music for his paper “Reforming Worship: The Doctrinal Impetus behind Reformed Church Music.”

Xander is a member of Northside Church in Liverpool, NY, and is a part of their Worship ministry.

Bob believes his faith in Jesus Christ has been fueled by the ministry of Mars Hill Network. In 1996, he joined the Network full time as a Staff Engineer, Weekend Announcer, and in Maintenance. Without the station’s listeners and their support, Bob said he would never have grown as a Christian husband, dad, and compassionate teacher. In addition to his on the air responsibilities, Bob is a public school teacher and also teaches at a local business college. Since 1982, he’s been married to Jill Davis, and they have one adult son, Robert. Bob’s favorite Scripture is Colossians 3:23-24.

With diverse experiences in the Coast Guard and as a Radio Chief Engineer for Radio Victoria in Aruba; Moody Bible Institute in Michigan and TN; and for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Asheville, NC, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge to the station. He has served as the Mars Hill Chief Engineer since 2007. Michael is married to Lisa, and they have three children, Michael Bradley, Rebecca, and Peter. His service in ministry has included being a missionary, elder, deacon, small group leader, and Sunday school teacher. Michael’s life verse is Matthew 6:33.

Linda (Linnie) is Canadian by birth but became a naturalized citizen in the eighties. She began listening to WMHR while searching for a station with music that appealed to her. WMHR became her favorite and only station that she listened to. Eventually she found a Bible-believing church and accepted Christ soon after. Linda worked for UPS for 34 years before retiring in 2010. In 2016 she heard an announcement for an administrative assistant at Mars Hill and came on staff. She is married and between her and her husband they have 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Tom’s background includes service as a U.S. Air Force meteorology officer, both at home and abroad, prior to a 22-year run as a television weather presenter. An active lecturer at Syracuse University, Tom also has many years of experience in meteorological consulting in the energy sector as well as extensive experience in sales. Tom possesses a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist certification from the American Meteorological Society and is married with 2 children. He resides in Clay, New York.

Sonya Hines is thankful for God’s faithfulness. Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:8. She has worked in radio at a variety of local stations for 8 years until she answered the call to homeschool for the next 17 years. She has a degree in Journalism & Public Relations and has worked for an advertising agency and as a Public Relations Associate Director for a health facility. While these opportunities were gratifying, joining the Mars Hill Network and working in Christian radio is her greatest reward. Allowing her the opportunity to combine ministry with her love for music. Sonya is the host of several programs on the Mars Hill Network: “Morning Coffee”, “Spotlight” and “The Gospel Hour.” She is also the host of our video series “Navigating Christian Womanhood.” She enjoys growing in the Lord alongside our listeners. She attends Central Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY where she sings in the choir. Sonya is grateful to be married to Dr. Bill Hines and thankful for her 3 sons: Ethan, Drew and Seth.

Reverend Daniel Maxfield, pastor of First Baptist Church of Chittenango & one of our “Pastors For The Day”, has supported Mars Hill since his youth through the Cortland Bible Club ministries in Cortland, NY. Back then, him & many others worked hard to raise the necessary funds needed to get a local translator for a Christian radio station and they were so excited when that goal was accomplished. Today, he feels very blessed to be part of the Mars Hill family as he assists our engineer Mike Dwinell with various maintenance projects. He’s able to put his training as an electrician to good use as he assists Mike in keeping the building & grounds in operable condition so that things operate smoothly with minimal interference at all translator locations. Today, he & his wife Sue Ellen have 3 adult children and 8 grandchildren, with another one on the way. A quick word from Dan:

“Together, we have supported Mars Hill Network for several years never thinking I’d be on staff with them someday. Also our church mission program supports the Mars Hill Network by underwriting with them every month. May I encourage churches within our listening area to do the same. We all are grateful for all of our listeners and for our giving friends. It is my prayer that the Lord will continue to bless you through the music and the many programs that work together to nurture our faith. Blessings to all from our Heavenly Father who loves us all so much!”

Lynnette Pidkaminy has a passion for news broadcasting and a desire to relay an accurate, unbiased account of events. After graduating from Syracuse University with a broadcast journalism degree, she worked for several local radio stations. After coming to know her Savior in her late 20s, Lynnette transitioned her career to public relations and development, serving as Director of Advancement for Faith Heritage School. Lynnette returned to news broadcasting with the Mars Hill Network in 2018, and joined Mark Warner as the co-host of “Mornings” starting in July 2021. She now has joined us full-time as our Director of Network Development. She and her husband Joe attend Pulaski Wesleyan Church. They enjoy serving the Lord wherever they can, including mission work. They live in Mexico, NY.

Rob enjoyed listening to popular music on radio from an early age & was bitten by the broadcasting bug while watching a DJ at the Syracuse Auto Show in 1972. An aunt gave him a reel to reel tape recorder, and like Casey Kasem, Rob began recording music, dubbing in his voice announcing songs & telling jokes like his favorite personalities. Rob majored in Communications & Broadcasting at SUNY Oswego and was blessed when a friend & mentor told him of a part-time job opening at WSCP-AM. Rob worked there during weekends & summers and learned every aspect of radio, becoming News Director there upon graduation. He also worked at stations in the Hudson Valley & Capitol regions including over a decade at WMHT-FM in Schenectady. When Rob returned to Syracuse, he was encouraged to listen to MHN, and in 2012, God opened the door for him to join the network as a part time announcer, technical director & fundraiser. In 2015, he became Partner Relations Manager & continues in that role, working with underwriters throughout the network. Rob is also a School Bus Driver/Trainer with Tully Central Schools & serves Eastwood Baptist Church as Worship Technician & fill-in keyboard player. Rob grew up in a faith-filled home & grew in his faith & study of God’s Word by helping at a Bible camp & joining a youth ministry in Oswego. He lives in North Syracuse with his wife Barbara & their two beagles. He is the proud father of one son, an Air Force officer, & loving Papa to one grandson. He spends his free time restoring & showing his classic car, fixing things around home, playing favorite songs on piano, making appearances at karaoke venues & enjoying God’s beauty & grace locally & in travels.

Before joining the Mars Hill Network in 2005, Linda worked as a bookkeeper at Youth for Christ with Ron Hutchcraft in New Jersey. Two of Linda’s “proudest” accomplishments are being a Grandmother to Brianna Marie, Brooklynn Grace, Gabriella Elise & Edward Matthew. Linda and her husband, Glen, live in Pulaski, NY, and have two grown children, Rebecca and Matthew. Throughout her walk with the Lord, her favorite verse (with her own underlined emphasis) has been 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”

As a young child, Mark vividly remembers seeing a little sign hooked to the sun visor of the passenger side of his family’s car that read, “Jesus Saves.” This sign defined the center of his family’s value system growing up, and he eventually made the decision to ask Jesus to be his Savior. He started a career in the communications industry at the age of 16, working at radio stations and advertising agencies in New York, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Illinois. When Mark joined the Mars Hill Network in 2013, he had the opportunity to return to his first love – radio. Being the voice that accompanies our listeners on their drive home from work, in evenings when people are winding down for the night, or when someone is troubled in the middle of the night, Mark feels blessed to work in ministry in an industry he enjoys so much. Married to Norma for over 50 years with two daughters and eight grandchildren, Mark lives in Westmoreland, NY.