Most nominees would prepare their speeches and outfits before attending the “Radio Personality of the Year” award at the annual Buffalo Excellence in Media Awards, but not Jud Heussler. He was getting laser eye surgery. “I was going up against people who had 10 or 20 years in radio on me. I did not think I would have a chance. I had sunglasses on, I couldn’t see and had no speech prepared,” he said. Even though Heussler has not been in the business that long, he has been recognized by many for his excellence in radio at KISS 98.5.

        Heussler graduated in 2012 with a degree in Audio Radio and TV Film at SUNY Fredonia. He is currently the music director and afternoon (2-6 pm on weekdays) host at the station. He loves being a part of the entertainment business and interacting with people on a daily basis. “Radio is crazy and fun,” Heussler was on air at KISS 98.5 while I was speaking to him and put me on hold.  With his broadcast ready voice I heard him murmur something about Miley Cyrus and a 10,000 dollar toilet. I came to find out that it apparently includes a Bluetooth receiver, a heated seat, and an LCD touchscreen. She bet producer Dr. Luke that her single wrecking ball would hit number one of Billboard Hot 100 and she was right, a toilet was at stake. I just got a minor taste of Jud’s wacky and lively spirit.

         At the Buffalo Excellence in Media Awards, Heussler won the “Desirable radio personality of the year” award. He was also named to Business First's 2013 "30 Under 30" class. The New York Times wrote an article about Heussler and the Fredonia radio station, which he was general manager of at the time, when he was in his last year at Fredonia. How does he feel about all this success and recognition at such an early point in his career? “It’s awesome and surprising; hopefully it’s not a sign I’m on to fall off a cliff,” he said with a laugh. Heussler will be spending his time in Buffalo for a while, but eventually may move out to a different market or possibly even a different industry. He has interest in the record label side of music, with interest in TV and film as well. For Heussler, everything slid into place at Fredonia. He was very interested in going to school in Ohio, but glad he decided to go the SUNY school instead. “If I had went to Ohio, I would have never taken a semester interning for KISS 98.5 and never gotten that opportunity,” he said. With just nine weeks left in his senior year, Heussler was offered the job as music director at KISS 98.5. “In the beginning I did not see myself growing as fast as I did, but I work hard, have fun, and enjoy what I do,” he said.