Manning Kimmel
Manning Kimmel’s philosophy of Radio is to serve the community locally and report area news fairly…and he backs up his belief by being actively involved in both areas. As a Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Our Three Sons Broadcasting, Manning guides the programming and technical operations of the business and hosts “Straight Talk”, a 30-minute public affairs and issues program heard every weekday for nearly 40 years from 12:30-1:00pm. He has also earned a reputation as one of the area’s most savvy marketing/advertising consultants.
Kimmel’s interest in national and local issues first led him to the news side of the Radio business where he began his 41 year broadcasting career in Wilmington, Delaware. He is a regular contributor to the award-winning WRHI newsroom.
After owning and operating a successful Radio station in Cumberland, Maryland, Manning’s Southern heritage (his grandfather was born in Kentucky) led him to Rock Hill in 1984 where he partnered with Allan Miller to create OTS Media Group. Manning is a firm advocate of a refreshing rarity in American broadcasting—locally owned radio. “Everything we do here at OTS Media is centered on our community,” says Kimmel. “We have an obligation to be its voice, to discuss the issues which affect us, and to ensure we keep our sense of community and the qualities which make this such an exceptional place to live. This is where we live, work, play and pray. Rock Hill and York County is just a great place to live.”
Kimmel is Chairman of Christians to Feed the Hungry, a non-profit organization which helps provide food and medical care to the indigent in our community. He is past Chair of the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation and remains a member of its Finance Committee; past Chair of the York County Econimic Development Board; past Chair the Board of the Upper Palmetto YMCA; and formerly served as Senior Warden and now Finance Committee member of his church. He also served as the first Chairman of the Rock Hill/York County Airoort Commission; served as Campaign Chairman of the local United Way and as a member of the Winthrop University’s Community Advisory Board. Kimmel is a founding member of Pathways Community Center and serves on its Board; and a member of the Catawba Bend Preserve Committee.
In 2014, Kimmel was honored with the South Carolina Broadcasters Association “Masters Award”. The honor is bestowed upon someone who has achieved the highest success as an on-air broadaster in South Carolina. He is one of only 22 people, statewide, to have ever received this award. Kimmel received the 2010 Eddie Black Citizenship and Service Award from the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce; was selected as Rock Hill Businessman of the Year in 2006 also by the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce; and was selected as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club in 2005 for his service to the community. Most recently Kimmel, along with his business partner, Allan Miller, received the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award from the York County Regional Chamber of Commerce
When he’s not on – or in – the air, you might find him riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle with Sheilah, his wife of 49 years who incidentally has been the Producer of Straight Talk for over 35 years. Sheilah and Manning are both avid Winthrop University Eagle fans so there’s a good chance you’ll see them “cheering-on” one of the teams throughout the school year. A graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., Kimmel is also a licensed pilot with a love of technology and all things electronic in nature.
The Kimmels live in Rock Hill and have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and grandaughter.