Brian Wilken, Bold Gold Media General Sales Manager, is the Honesdale Area Jaycees “Boss of the Year.”
Wilken, who’s worked in radio since age 15, says he’s humbled by the award, due to be presented Tuesday evening, January 13, at Tick Tocks restaurant.
He was nominated by a trio of co-workers: Office Manager Joanne Hohman and  marketing representatives Margaret Allen and Linda Murphy. “It’s very humbling for me to be recognized by the people I have the privilege of working with every day. I truly do work with some very special and talented people,” he said. “I’m very lucky to work in a place where my boss, Vince Benedetto, let’s me be ‘me,’”
“I can’t think of anyone who’s more deserving,” says Benedetto, President of Bold Gold Media Group. “Brian has been with these local radio stations for many years and is instrumental in their continued growth and their ability to support the community. He’s a role model for the employees at Bold Gold Media Group.” Describing him as a “go-to-guy,” Benedetto says Brian does “everything.” 
   Co-workers describe their boss
“How do you describe Brian? Most people consider him on the wild side, but he’s a very talented, energetic, thoughtful, caring individual who always looks out for the next person — his co-workers. There are many times that one of us needs help and he’s right there for us,” says Hohman.
Murphy says she nominated Brian “because he’s such a great boss. He sings to me every day,” she says, openly laughing. Does he sing well known songs? “He makes up the words as he goes along,” she elaborates, giving an example. “My name is Linda Murphy, I’m feeling kind of smurphy.” That kind of thing.
Allen says his “unconventional management style” is what makes him top dog. “He makes us laugh everyday. He makes it a fun place to work . He finds humor in every day, and that quality has helped us to rise above even the hardest times. To me, he’s like a brother. He has become family. I truly feel that we are family,” Allen said.
Longtime marketing representative Bob Maculaitis says, “It’s great to work with somebody who is honest, has integrity, is open minded and has a sense of humor.” 
Family ties
Brian and his wife Emily are married close to 18 years and have two boys: 9-year-old Ben and 5-year-old Zack. “Emily is very important. She keeps me very grounded,” he said. “(My family) are very supportive. This is not a 9 to 5 job; the world of radio never stops,” he said. 
When it comes to his mom and dad, Peter and Nancy Wilken, he says, he owes them for his “warped sense of humor” as well as compassion for others.  “My mom and dad taught me how to treat people,” he said. 
Asked about his life’s motto, Wilken quoted a book title by Norman Vincent Peale. “You can if you think you can,” he said. “Often people get consumed by negativity.”  
“It takes a lot of prayer and a lot of patience — and you, too, could be ‘Boss of the Year.’
Wilken also thanked the Jaycees for the award, saying, “They are just a great group of people that I don’t think get enough credit for what they do in the community.”