Get to know Dick Williams, executive director of the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach.
What was your very first job?
I was a waiter at Milt’s Dairy Bar in my hometown in Wisconsin.
What do you do for fun?
I play golf, not well. I’m a very amateur painter—notice I didn’t say artist. And I love and enjoy all kinds of auto racing.
Have you driven in a racing car?
I’ve been to three different driving schools.
How fast have you gone?
The biggest track was in Daytona and I did 24 laps there with the fast average lap at 166.
What are you thinking when you’re going that fast?
Your mind is saying you are nuts, you are nuts. But it’s the biggest adrenaline rush.
What do you listen to in your “normal” car?
NPR. And sports. Having managed radio stations for 34 years, I’ve been exposed to every form of music imaginable. I spent most of my career managing country stations.
What are you proud of?
My family, absolutely. My wife Linda and I were high school sweethearts, we’ve been married 38 years. We have two wonderful sons. Steve’s in Orlando in the radio business and Alex is a senior at Florida State University.
What’s something we don’t know about you?
I was a high school teacher after college, speech and journalism. I’m really glad I taught. I think it made me become a better manager. It was a real opportunity for me to mature as an adult after college.
June 20th 2008 - 6:26AM