Meet Rico Hernandez of iHeartLATINO in Central

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rico Hernandez.

Rico, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got started in radio by walking in and trying to buy advertisement and ended up going back on Halloween for a job interview and got hired buy a guy dressed as Captain America, I worked in sales for eight months then to a demotion just to pursue a chance on-air. It was a struggle but my background before working in radio prepared me to be the radio personality I am today.After about 3 1/2 years and 1 day before I was gonna actually put in my two weeks notice I received the best job offer in my career which was a program director position here in the valley running the Spanish station. After 26 years of wanting to move back to my hometown of Phoenix it finally happened. My story didn’t begin in radio it started years before my true life struggles and desire to not be a statistic because of my ethnic background and my refusal to quit and not let anything or anyone stand or dictate my destiny is what I always encourage others to do.

I suffer from Bipolar disorder a mental illness I was diagnosed with at the age of 17. I was diagnosed as Bipolar manic depressive disorder and it’s been a tough and challenging thing to battle daily all these years. I’ve worked as a model,actor,professional stuntman, I was a street dancer a boxer, boxing promotions, a physical therapy assistant and a personal trainer just to name a few jobs and things I’ve accomplished over my 36 years. My story has lots of low points from trouble with the law as a juvenile to struggling with my mental illness, I’ve lost a lot of friends to suicide, murders and just horrible accidents. I honestly wouldn’t even know where to start if someone asked me to tell my story but I do know what to say which is don’t quit keep pushing and remember that your in control of your own future period.

Has it been a smooth road?
My mental illness is a constant struggle along with personal losses. Poor decisions I made as juvenile. Just to name a few.

Tell us more about your work.
I’m a radio personality with iheartRadio/iheartLATINO. I am the program director 93.7 El Patron. What sets me apart from the rest that I’m a one man show,operation & I handle all the aspects of that radio station. My tenacity is something I believe my competitors cannot match.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see growth & success. I’m an optimist so all my answers will be a positive outlook.

Contact Info:

• Address: 4684 East Van Buren St. Suite 400
• Website: elpatronphoenix.com.iheart
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @ricoonyourradio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicoOnYourRadio/?ref=bookmarks
• Twitter: @ricoonyourradio
• Other: SnapChat: @ricoonyourradio

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.