From ‘Trading Post’ host to Sen. Angelo

When Jeff Angelo returns to Creston, he doesn’t look for what’s new.

It’s the familiar that’s close to his heart.

“I like to see and do the things I did when I was living there,” said the former KSIB morning announcer and Republican state Senator. “I reminisce a lot. It’s always fun to run into people you knew. They don’t forget you. You really get to know the people.”

Angelo was working in the radio industry in the Lake of the Ozarks. He met Debbie Hulett of Creston, and they decided her hometown was a better alternative in starting a family.

“Lake of the Ozarks is kind of a transient population. It’s a tourist destination,” Angelo said. “We needed those relationships and the sense of community you get in a place like Creston.”

For nearly a year after he and Debbie moved to Creston in 1991, Angelo delivered auto parts for Joe Wolf before there was an opening at KSIB.

“I had put in an application at the radio station and eventually an afternoon (on-air) spot opened up at KSIB,” Angelo said. “I started working there in 1992. It was the ideal spot for someone moving to Creston and raising kids. There was so much going on.”

Angelo worked during the same time as news director Mike Peterson, now at KMA in Shenandoah, and longtime sports director Gary Bucklin. He enjoyed the camaraderie in joining forces at numerous local events.

“You get to know everybody, because you’re getting involved in everything like Balloon Days and the country fairs.” Angelo said. “You’re right in the middle of it, and that was the great thing about it. It was a dream job.”

But Angelo’s other passion was politics, and his work in chairing the Union County Republicans that opened up an opportunity in that realm. He seized it.

“I was active at the county level and at some point I was asked if I would be interested in running for the state senate,” Angelo said. “Given my love for politics, I thought I’d love the opportunity. I thought it was a good fit. People do know who I am, and campaigning is public speaking. I thought, why not?”

Angelo resigned from KSIB when he launched a successful Iowa Senate campaign in 1996. He served this area through 2008.

“I loved the area so much, that campaigning was a joy,” said Angelo, a St. Louis native. “I got to know people by going to all of the events.”

The legislative process intrigued Angelo.

“I love my time serving, being part of the debate and trying to hammer out legislation,” Angelo said. “Everybody who was there at the capitol is committed to trying to make lives better for the people they represent. They may have differing opinions on how to do that, but people believe the policies they are working on make people’s lives better. That is a great honor.”

After a divorce, Angelo moved to Ames. He was married to Tara van Brederode in December 2007. He did not seek a fourth term and completed his service to Senate District 48 in 2008.

Angelo commuted to work in Des Moines for Mediacom Communications, the local access channel, and the couple moved to downtown Des Moines in April 2016.

He was working for Mediacom when WHO Radio morning talk show host Jan Mickelson had a stroke in December 2015. Because of his radio experience and work with media outlets in Des Moines, Angelo was approached as a substitute. It eventually became a permanent position, which he still holds as host of “Need to Know with Jeff Angelo” from 9 to 11 a.m each weekday on WHO 1040 AM.

“The intention was for Jan to come back full-time, but he didn’t make a full recovery and retired,” Angelo said. “It was a real honor to step into that spot, as Jan is sort of the godfather of talk radio in Iowa. He had been at WHO since 1988. So, then it was a thrill when they said, ‘You’re the guy.’ It’s a great job.”

While Angelo doesn’t hide his politics — which he calls “center right, with Libertarian flourishes” — his focus is more like having a community chat with experts on the given topic as on-air guests.

“Basically I try to go through all of the news of the day and talk about the stories that I really think matters to people’s lives,” Angelo explained. “There is a lot of stuff out there, but what is actually going to impact your life? To me, we have the opportunity to distill down the most relevant situations of the day and let’s talk about it longer than is possible in a 60-second news clip. I want to dig in more, and if someone’s opinion is different than mine, that’s OK. I have a general curiosity for stuff, and want to know why they feel that way. I’m not there to jump them or be superior.”

The station’s afternoon format includes more political discourse with intentions in the message of national host Rush Limbaugh and local drive-time host Simon Conway. Angelo has been told by Conway he appreciates his unique style of show in the morning.

“Simon said he’s glad to have someone on in the morning that’s not another version of him,” Angelo said. “He’s more about, this is what I believe and I’m going to tell you about it. I feel like maybe we’ve broadened our audience a bit in the morning. I put on guests I may disagree with, but I’m not there to debate them. I like to bring in experts on the news of the day. The great thing about hosting a show on WHO is the name is so prestigious, you can get access to people nationally. You get to chat with them and often I’m just as fascinated as the listeners.”

With Debbie (Hulett) Angelo still living and working in Creston, and son Logan and daughter Kayla graduates of Creston Community High School, Angelo has enjoyed his return visits for family-oriented functions. Many fond memories were collected over those 17 years.

“I moved to Creston because I loved what the town has to offer for a family and quality of life,” Angelo said. “I wonder if people who have grown up there and never left really understand how fortunate they are to live in a town like Creston? To someone who moved there, it is fantastic.”