Our People: Exercising her voice

Pamela Atherton was born and raised in southern California. Early in her life she fell in love with acting but soon decided she wanted to be a journalist. She thought she'd be the editor of a college newspaper but found herself hired to do radio. She came to New Mexico a few times before she decided to take a position at a local radio station in the Clovis area. She has worked locally for KWKA and as a morning show host at KTQM that ended in 2007.

She started a podcast show in 2008. She has a long history in radio and her main career focus was to interview people. She has interviewed Buzz Aldrin, Madeleine Albright, Willie Nelson, Cher and more.

Prior to her work in the Clovis area, she was the first woman to host a television morning show while living in Portland, Oregon in 1996. Atherton has also had great success as a voiceover artist and public speaker. Today she is transitioning into doing more motivational and business speaking, marketing workshops and small business marketing. Atherton continues to make public appearances and workshop leadership in customer service and crisis management.

What do you like about the various work you do in communications and business?

I love being able to share information with small businesses that can't afford to pay for consulting and I love doing voice over because I'm able to act without worrying about having a bad hair day.

How would you describe yourself in one word?

Curious.

What do you do when you're not working?

What I do is so fun for me. Most would say they like to read or something but I read for work. I love to research and all that comes with it. If I'm dragged outside like when I went to the beach and a museum in California recently, I'll do those things. But I love what I do for work so you'll have to drag me out.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

It's either doing a speech or doing a voice over session. Having lunch with someone I love. Coming home and watching some "Law and Order." I love days like that.

What were you like as a little girl?

I'm shyer than people know. I used to write plays for my sister and brother to act out and I loved school.

What is your theme song?

I don't know the answer to that. I think maybe "Happy" by Pharrell.

What is your favorite quote?

We're all in in this together.

Who's invited to your fantasy dinner party and why?

Mike Post. He is the composer of all the theme songs to "Law and Order," "The Rockford Files" and more. Mariska Hargatay because she does wonderful things with her Joyful Heart foundation. There are so many wonderful people out there that I've been so fortunate to interview that I'd love to have. Another is Richard Feynman, a scientist who wrote a book about understanding physics. And of course, I'd invite my daughter, Beverly, who is funny, witty and smart.

Tell us about a favorite place you've traveled?

I loved Europe when I went. My favorite are was Yugoslavia which is divided now and the area I loved was Bosnia because it's so pretty and green like Ireland. I thought it was so nice.

Tell us about your greatest individual accomplishment?

I don't think that way of things that I have done. Instead, I am more focused on things that still need to get done. For me, it's always the journey and the challenge.

— Compiled by The News Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield