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After nearly two years on The Afternoon Mix with Lisa Allen, Chris has been tapped to host The Morning MIX with Nikki, Whip and Violeta. Prior to The Afternoon MIX, Chris hosted evenings and served as Director of Digital Content.
Chris found creative success in scripted television co-creating, co-writing, and co-starring in The Jamz – a radio focused sitcom that premiered on Netflix and is currently streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. He moved to Los Angeles and worked directly with Ryan Seacrest as his Social Media Manager – on the ground at events like and the Golden Globes, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, and the USO Gala. Liquid Advertising called on Chris’s creative talents, bringing him on as Associate Creative Director. There, he wrote and directed commercials and digital projects for brands like SEGA, Square Enix, and Blizzard – working directly with high level talent including Tom Holland and Hannibal Buress. While living in LA, Chris was a regular in the stand-up comedy scene, performing at clubs like The Comedy Store, Flappers Comedy Club, and The Ice House.
Chris began his career in entertainment as the Social Media Manager at Hubbard Radio Chicago – working on 101.9fm The Mix, 97.1fm The Drive, and SHE 100.3fm. While working in this role, he nurtured his creative talents performing live music throughout Chicago at venues including The Elbo Room, The Cubby Bear, and Party in the Park in Millennium Park. He also appeared on stage at Chicago theaters including The Second City, The Gift Theatre, and Redtwist Theatre.
Chris grew up in Mount Prospect and currently resides on Chicago’s West Side with his wife, their two children, and rescue dog, Roscoe.
Nikki
It all started with making mixtapes and a high school radio station (coincidentally, where MIX weekender Clay Addy also worked!) Since then, her passion for radio and music has never stopped.
For the past 15+ years, Nikki has been working behind the scenes in the Music Department at The MIX where she helped The Mix secure artists like AJR, Charlie Puth, James Bay, and Lizzo for MIX events.
Nikki has always had such an appreciation for all types of music, movies, and shows. She LOVES talking to MIX artists, so having the opportunity to be part of the Morning Mix falls right in line with what she has always dreamed of doing. When the music stops, you’ll find Nikki at a Cubs game, schooling people on all things Michigan State, shopping the aisle of shame at Aldi, and/or having a glass of wine on any patio that’s open.
Nikki and her husband reside in the city with their son and new rescue pup Biba.
Whip
Whip has worked in Chicago radio for a long time…but has now been with the Mix for a longer period of time than he spent at any other station.
He was born in Blue Island, lived on Northwest Side of Chicago then Roselle. Whip attended the University of Illinois, where he studied broadcast journalism, and still remembers the people there who told him not to get into this business, because it’s too unstable. He also likes to say that he’s done a lot of broadcasting in his career, and just a little bit of journalizing…meaning, that his studies have sort of come in handy.
Whip now lives with his wife Stacy, daughter Tori, and two sons Kyle and Alex in the Northwest suburbs, after spending the formative years of his adulthood living on the North Side.
Violeta
Violeta was born and raised in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. Being first generation American in a super Serbian, restaurant family life has been interesting to say the least.
Violeta attended Resurrection High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
While attending UIC, Violeta held down several internships including a Congressional Campaign, The Boys and Girls Club of Chicago and Check Please! on WTTW. However, it was an internship in the Newsroom for a Chicago Radio station where she found her calling….writing, monitoring and compiling traffic reports.
When not making everyone aware of slowdowns and gapers delays during your morning commute, you can find her practicing hot yoga or enjoying a good happy hour deal. She loves crème brûlée, bowling, and birthdays (but who doesn’t?).
