Reporters

Ashley Byrd – News Director
Ashley is thrilled to be back in radio news. She worked in public radio, web and television at the state and national levels, and then went into business communications. “Learfield is the best of both worlds,” she says, “a dedication to grass-roots journalism, backed by a solid business model.”

A native of a small town in South Carolina, Ashley began her radio career working college summer break at a station that has been a longtime network affiliate. Ashley got her degree in Political Science at the University of South Carolina, with some graduate work at the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications. She has won national and state recognition in every medium, including a national EMMY nomination. Her experience in radio, print, television, web reporting, photography, advertising and new media–combined with a passion for hearing and telling a good story–culminate in this position. “This is a great state, with great stories and this news team listens well. That is why people listen to us.”

William Christopher – Managing Editor
Never say “never”… William Christopher said in college that he would never be a daily format news journalist. He has been in news since the summer jobs he held before finishing South Carolina’s Presbyterian College. He also worked during his first years in radio as a drive-time DJ, well known for his daily comic features, and regular antics like the time he staged his own murder over the air, as carried out by his fictional girlfriend (an incident which drew a good bit of police attention).

In 1994 he and WBCU in Union, SC were runner up for the national Crystal Award from the National Association of Broadcasters. He has been the recipient of several news awards from the South Carolina Broadcasters Association, received the “Journalist of the Year” award from the Small Business Association, and was twice the Southeastern winner for the distinguished Edward R. Murrow Award in news journalism.

William was the first on-the-scene reporter to cover the Susan Smith murder case, which received international recognition, covering it each day through its conclusion, working for ABC Radio as well as NBC Mutual, AP, UPI, NBC television, and other TV and radio. At SCRN he has covered other radio stories for the ABC and NPR networks. He was selected in 1996 for appointment to the Berlin Kommission Journalist Exchange Program in Germany, the former East Germany, and Belgium. Additionally, he was awarded a grant to conduct a series of broadcast reports on BMW, as well as an internship at German National Radio. William has worked at SCRN as Statehouse reporter, then as News Director and now Managing Editor. He likes to play rock and classical piano in local clubs, enjoys shooting and running.

Tom Hayes – Reporter/Anchor/Sports Commentator
Keeping a keen eye on the SC Statehouse by day, Tom turns into his alter ego “the Professor, aka the Pro” by night sharing his insightful musings about the Palmetto State sports world on the long running, statewide “Sportstalk” show from 6-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. At the University of South Carolina Tom served as early morning news anchor on the campus radio station. After college Tom turned his sights toward television, working as a news reporter with WOLO-TV in Columbia and WSPA-TV in Spartanburg. After serving as Director of Public Relations and Publications at Voorhees College in his hometown of Denmark for eight years, Tom returned to Columbia to revive his radio career in the rapidly growing genre of sports talk radio, working the morning drive at the Ticket 98.5. Sports Radio 1400 and ESPN Radio 1230, while serving as producer of Sportstalk.

An unabashed sports fan, movie and jazz buff, Tom enjoys keeping his co-workers loose and questioning his sanity by making “off the wall” statements and reciting lines from old Bogart movies. Tom’s motto, “I don’t take myself seriously, I take my work seriously.”

Michael Brown – Reporter/Anchor (Charleston Bureau)
Covering the South Carolina coast, Charleston native, Michael Brown joined the South Carolina Radio Network in January of 2009. As the Charleston Bureau for the network, Michael also serves as news reporter and anchor for Charleston’s NewsTalk station, 1250 WTMA. Merit Award Winner for South Carolina Reporter of the Year in 2008 and Feature Story AP Award Winner in 2007, Michael has had a love for broadcast journalism since a young age. He is a graduate of The University of South Carolina, with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, and a minor in Theater Speech. Aside from news, Michael has also served as a character on the morning show for a Top-40 station, WSSX-Charleston and a weekend DJ. He is a worship leader at his church at Charleston Southern University, loves photography, singing, reading and spending time with his wife, Heather and son, Connor.

Susan Trautsch - Reporter/Anchor
With deep family roots in the midlands and growing up in Sumter, Susan has been in and out of radio since her high school and college days. Most recently, she hosted the morning talk show “Sumter with Susan” on WDXY radio station in Sumter, an affiliate of the South Carolina Radio Network. With television news experience at both SCETV and WINK-TV in Ft. Myers, Florida, Susan is accustomed to keeping up with local, state and national happenings, bringing us closer to the midlands and Shaw AFB events. Susan has experience in public relations, working in the health care community. A long-time volunteer for the Sumter Crime Stoppers program, Susan has served on the board and assisted with past annual telethons, their very successful fund-raiser featuring slap-stick video productions of local leaders and law-enforcement. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. Susan is an active member of First Baptist Church where she has assisted in the scripting and narration of the Sumter Singing Christmas Tree, as well as performs with the Master Ringer’s bell choir. She loves gardening and working with her husband, Al, on the many DIY projects that come with their 160-year-old family farmhouse.

Kevin McCrarey

Known as “K-Mac” to sports fans across the Palmetto State, Kevin was born is southern California but has spent the past 20 years living and breathing sports in South Carolina. Now his only ties to the west coast are his undying love of the Dodgers and Lakers. As a youngster, Kevin fell in love with radio listening to AM talk shows every night in his bedroom and dreaming of being on the air himself one day. He started living his dream when he joined the South Carolina Radio Network immediately after he earned his degree in broadcast journalism. Over the past ten years Kevin has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the Independence Bowl. Known for his strong passion and opinions, Kevin spent several years as a co-host on the SportsTalk Radio Network with Phil Kornblut. In 2010, Kevin was promoted to Sports Director of the South Carolina Radio Network and, although he still contributes to SportsTalk, his main focus is producing daily morning and afternoon drivetime reports to SCRN’s affiliate stations. Kevin cites his wife Lauren and his pug dog, Boss, as his biggest supporters.