Management Biographies:
Marisa Elcock-Thongs
Youth in Focus - Youth Director
Second daughter of Rev. Margaret Elcock, Marisa Elcock-Thongs holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with Psychology from the University of the West Indies. At ISAAC 98.1FM, she functions as the Secretary to the Board of Directors and as the Youth in Focus Director arm of the ministry.
Having discovered her natural talent in broadcasting at the age of 17, Marisa began to feature on radio along with her mother and would at times host programmes in her stead. She then went on to be trained in Radio Broadcasting at the Trinidad Broadcasting Company and also obtained a Certificate in Broadcasting from FBN / Mascom ltd.
Marisa or ‘Maris’, as she is fondly called, is now an established broadcaster on ISAAC 98.1FM. Not only does she have a natural, easy flow on radio, but she also possesses a flair for television that can only be described as God-given. She has under her belt 3 years of experience in Television Production where she was the main Producer and Presenter of the Youth-in-Focus television series aired on Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) from 1997 to 1999.
Marisa is host of the radio program, Gospel Blends, of which Youth in Focus forms an integral part. The target audience is the youth of Trinidad and Tobago. Marisa and the YIF Team specifically deal with those issues that challenge youth on a daily basis. Through interviews and discussions, they bring enlightenment on issues such as peer pressure, aids, mentorship, career guidance, music, purpose and more. She is also a former columnist of the FBN Vision magazine and now proudly holds the titles of author and recording gospel artiste.
You can hear her on Youth in Focus Sundays between 4 and 6 pm. After the topic of the day is shared, listeners are taken into … worship
Nicole Larsen
Programme Manager
Nicole Larsen began her career at ISAAC 98.1FM as Chief Announcer. Today, three (3) years later she is Programme Manager responsible for the daily programming and execution of station. As an experienced and renowned broadcaster, Ms Larsen hosts the mid-morning segment ‘Nicole Larsen Live’ which attracts thousands of loyal listeners to the Radio Station each day. She also co-hosts with her ‘Partner in Christ,’ Jen the ever-popular ’Forever Young.’
Nicole serves on the Management Team and holds the responsibility for managing the on-air product and ensuring that there is consistent quality of the sound of the station, ethical advertising and positive programming that is consistent with company standards.
Her duties after conferring with the C.E.O and the other members of Management, the implementation of the plans and programs of the station. Ms. Larsen oversees the administration of staff in the Department, schedules presenters for duty, evaluates their performance, sources and recommends training and development interventions for all announcers.
Ms Larsen sees her role as Programme Manager as being responsible for communicating the vision and plans of Management to announcers and she in turn conveys the concerns and suggestions of the announcers to the Management.
Additionally, Nicole showcases her expertise when called on to plan, promote and host company events. As a Christian Media Personality she certainly brings versatility, vitality and added value thus making a sterling contribution to the overall product that is…..ISAAC 98.1 FM.
Christopher Peru
Operations Manager
Christopher Peru grew up in the little eastern village of Cumuto in east Trinidad. An early passion Chris had was that of photography. His fascination of wild life had him taking pictures of nature‘s creatures like live caimans that existed around his area.
The love for a camera did not stop there as he was driven to getting involved with video production. This was the beginning of a career the young man never knew would one day land him in the first and only 24hour gospel radio station in Trinidad and Tobago.
Christopher has been in media broadcasting for the past nineteen [19] years. His involvement with the Family Focus Broadcasting Network covers ten [10] of those years formerly holding the position of Producer/Manager of the ‘Fresh Fire’ Television programme.
During a stint at another media house Chris came into contact with many top business people within Trinidad and Tobago. When he met them it challenged him to be a professional in every area of his life.
A salesman once said to him ‘You don’t sell buildings you sell people’. This Chris notes has had a profound and lasting impact on his life. These words encouraged him never to give up.
He was also encouraged to continue his second passion for electrical engineering. With an educational background in electrical installation, Chris earned a scholarship to Burlington Canada at the Conway School of Broadcasting and Communications where he earned a Diploma in Television Broadcast Communication.
Daya Ottley
Production Manager
At the age of 5 a young boy would be seen standing in front of his mirror with his brother’s deodorant bottle in his hand and talking into it pretending he was a radio Dee Jay. The desire stayed in his heart for several years simply brewing.
After taking a broadcasting course with popular TBC Network News broadcaster Eugene Manuel in 1996, Daya Ottley began voicing commercials while working at The National Broadcasting Network (NBN). Being a young entrepreneur, he produced commercials and jingles for some of his clients as another source of income.
In 1999 Daya started working with a recording studio and continued to produce, write and voice ads for many clients. It was here his true voicing talent was discovered and with the constructive criticism of his peers and agency producers, he did voice overs that can be heard in Trinidad and up the Caribbean.
After gaining some experience at Communications Insights Advertising Agency for a short period, Daya picked up some additional copyrighting and creative skills that would be perfect for his next phase of life, being Production Manager at ISAAC 98.1 fm.
His career finds him operating in the area of ensuring the smooth running of the production studio, editing and production of some special features, writing copy for the station‘s promos, creating and producing station ID’s and stingers.
Heard on the fourth Saturday of every month, Daya hosts the evening radio show entitled ‘The Saturday Soiree’. It is an afternoon into evening show for interesting discussions on ‘d lime’ and of course a great mix of gospel music.
Devan Maharaj
Sales Manager
Devan Maharaj is the Sales Manager at the Family Focus Broadcasting Network (FBN). He brings to Family Focus a wealth of experience in the field of Sales & Marketing having acquired extensive knowledge for over 18 years, in a media environment.
His career started at a young age while working with a weekly newspaper for fifteen years. During this time Devan furthered his studies both in the area of Sales and Marketing and eventually became top Sales Producer.
Devan acquired management training from Dale Carnegie. He has also completed two years extensive Marketing studies at the School of Business and Computer Science and one year Marketing Training at University of the West Indies [UWI].
For three (3) years Devan worked in the television media and participated in several in-house training sessions. In 1988 he received the company’s award for the most progressive Sales Producer and was promoted to Sales Coordinator; leading, directing and motivating a sales team.
Devan‘s greatest sense of achievement he says comes when he satisfies the needs of his clients and closes a sale, particularly those clients which may seem to be challenging.
With a pleasant, outgoing personality and his professionalism, Devan is pleased to be a part of the management team of the Family Focus Broadcasting Network.
Norma Sobers
Administrator
Norma was born and raised at a Sugar Plantation in Barbados and is the second last of five children. Having received her early education at St. Giles and St. Paul’s Elementary, Norma completed her education at Washington High School. While in high school, she was a member of the school’s netball club and became an active member of the Youth for Christ organization during which time she gave her life to the Lord.
In the 1960s Norma migrated to Montreal, Canada to live and attended People’s Church eventually becoming a member of the choir. After five years in Montreal, Norma moved to Toronto and started working in the Group Insurance industry. Her first position was that of a File clerk and she worked her way up the ladder to being Manager of the most successful Branch office of thirteen operated by the company. After three (3) years of managing the Edmonton Branch Office and having completed a number of courses which aided in developing her Administrative and Human Resource skills, Norma was transferred back to Toronto to head the Administrative Department of the large local office with and an administrative staff numbering some fifty (50) persons.
After twenty-seven years in Canada, Norma and her husband decided to return to the land of her birth, where she continued working in the insurance industry as the Administrative Manager for an offshore company operated by one of the largest insurance companies out of Canada. During this period, Norma attended People’s Cathedral in Bridgetown, Barbados and participated in a number of activities at the church, before deciding to take baptism classes and was baptized. She later moved on to attending the Church of God where she enjoyed fellowship over the years.
In 1990 Norma and her husband relocated to Trinidad where she commenced employment at a large financial services company. Norma has settled into life in Trinidad and has been attending FHL Centre in the Movietowne complex where she is currently a member of the church choir.
Norma joined our company as Administrator/Human Resource Manager in June 2005.
Rosemarie Wildman
Chief Accountant
Rosemarie Wildman, FCCA, joined the Family Focus Broadcasting Network in March 2005. She comes with a wealth of experience in external auditing and has hands-on knowledge of computer based accounting and information systems.
Rosemarie, formerly an Audit Manager at PriceWaterhouse Coopers has within recent times been an independent Financial Consultant.
As Chief Accountant, Rosemarie is making a very valuable contribution to the ministry.
Natasha Long
Marketing Consultant
She is a strong dynamic young woman, who has a passion and love for what she does. One of the foundation members of the Family Focus Broadcasting Network, Natasha started out in 1992 as a member of the Bright Side of Midnight, broadcast live from midnight Sundays to 5am Monday morning. However she soon realized that being on Radio, though enjoyable, was not the only area of her giftings and talents.
She entered the world of sales and marketing and realized that her strong personality, determination, and drive enhanced her work performance. She soon became top Sales Person on the job and was responsible for bringing in the much-needed finance that the organization needed.
Today, Natasha is the Marketing Consultant for FBN-ISAAC 98.1FM, and has been a tremendous asset to the organisation. The knowledge and experience that she has acquired over the last 13 years, having worked in larger more experienced media houses, have helped to shape the marketing strategy that is being implemented here at ISAAC 98.1FM.
She is committed, loyal, and hardworking and knows her job. She has been used to teach, train and motivate the Marketing Representatives.