Allen Schemmel, Owner / Principal
In a career that has spanned over 35 years in broadcasting, Mr. Schemmel developed expertise in sales and management that carried his sales teams to unprecedented success and then continued to craft those ideas into the products that Gabriel Media uses today.
He began his career in 1985 with WVJS/WSTO/Owensboro Cable in Owensboro, Kentucky. In May of 1989 he accepted an entry level position at legendary WSM AM/FM. In the next 11 years he became a Top Producer and ultimately became the most successful sponsorship sales rep for the Grand Ole Opry in the history of Gaylord Entertainment Company. He helped pave the way for an NTR department that led the local market for more than a decade.
Mr. Schemmel became the Local Sales Manager in January 2000 and was promoted to General Sales Manager one year later. He managed sales for The Grand Ole Opry, WSM AM/FM, WSMONLINE.COM and his newly created Gaylord Synergy Group. He led his sales team to accomplishments with Digital and NTR sales programs unique to the radio industry that produced over $1.1 million (in 2002!) and rates as one of the industry’s more stunning accomplishments since his radio stations were ranked #13 and #14 for A25-54 respectively at the time.
Allen, along with his partners John Padgett and Rick Steele (now deceased) launched Gabriel Media in August 2003 and now, 20 years later, will crest over $300 million in sales for their broadcast station partners. He has sold “in the trenches” during every kind of situation with nearly every tool imaginable and brings that innovation and zest to Gabriel Media’s clients with Traditional and Digital media.
Mr. Schemmel is a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Telecommunications. He resides in Hendersonville, Tennessee with his wife, Drena, of over 40 years. His son Ryan is a successful entrepreneur in Nashville, and proud to have his daughter Lindsay Payne as an integral member of Gabriel Media. The joys of their life are their two granddaughters which they enjoy spoiling.
John R. Padgett, Owner / Principal
In his 42 year career in broadcasting, Mr. Padgett has experienced success at every level of broadcasting sales and management. His likable personality, professional approach and unprecedented success in sales makes him a favorite with every level of Account Executive and Manager.
He accepted the position of Account Executive with Nashville radio stations WLUY AM and WYHY FM in 1982. December of 1983 he was recruited to Gaylord Entertainment’s historic country formatted radio stations WSM AM/FM and the Grand Ole Opry, as an Account Executive. Gaylord added News/Talk/Sports formatted WWTN FM to its radio compliment in 1995.
Over the next 20 years Mr. Padgett steadily moved up the ladder at Gaylord by serving as National Sales Manager, General Sales Manager and Vice President/General Manager for the radio division.
Mr. Padgett was instrumental in leading Gaylord’s three station group to remarkable success in revenues during his twelve year tenure as General Sales Manager and VP/General Manager. His three stations, WSM AM, WSM FM and WWTN FM outperformed the Nashville market’s revenue growth threefold, according to the independent accounting firm of Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP.
Mr. Padgett is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Communications where he majored in Broadcast Management.
Prior to his college graduation, Mr. Padgett spent four years as an Operations Specialist on board the USS Cochrane, a Guided Missile Destroyer, in the United States Navy. He resides in Franklin Tennessee with his wife, Pamela, of 39 years.
Ali O. Vialdores Sr., Senior Market Manager
Ali has been with Gabriel Media since September of 2006. As the most Senior Market Manager in the company, he’s trained over hundreds of sales people and coached thousands local business owners across the nation. His experience in managing and motivating sales staffs of all sizes and tenures has allowed him to bring the best out of a team.
Ali has over 20 years of broadcast media experience, having worked his way through sales and sales management.
After attending the University of Central Florida to play football, Ali graduated from Valdosta State University (where he played football as well) with a B.F.A in Mass Media and subsequently with a Master’s degree in public administration (M.P.A). In his spare time Ali is a World Champion martial artist in the discipline of Tae Kwon Do. He resides in California, with his wife Jovanna, and is the father of five.
Michael Urkoski, Senior Market Manager
Having grown up on a family farm, Michael has a unique small market background with more than 15 years of sales and management experience. His business management experience and marketing background makes him a natural at speaking the language of small business owners or working with CEO’s of large corporations.
Sales managers and AE’s alike love working with Michael, because he brings a passion to the industry unmatched by any other!
Michael is an avid fan of everything Cornhuskers and if you can believe loves to play polka music. Michael resides in Columbus, Nebraska with his wife and five children.
Lindsay Payne, Senior Market Manager
Lindsay started her career in 2006 with Gaylord Entertainment/WSM AM 650/The Grand Ole Opry selling sponsorships and AM radio. She spent the next eight years with South Central Media as an Account Executive (Mix 92.9 WJXA/96.3 JACK-fm WCJK), becoming a million dollar biller and leading the staff in NTR sales.
During her radio tenure at South Central Media, Lindsay succeeded with the Gabriel Media program and brings that unique experience to her clients. With over 13 years in the industry, her ability to connect with/inspire sales staffs and her training style make her a favorite amongst her clients. Local business owners enjoy Lindsay’s presentation delivery and her genuinely approachable personality. Considering her father, Allen Schemmel, is one of the co-founders of Gabriel Media, you can rest assured that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Lindsay is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Communication, where she majored in Speech Communication. She currently resides in Hendersonville, TN with her husband/high school sweetheart of 18 years and their two beautiful daughters. Lindsay enjoys playing with her children, running, hiking, beaching, boating and watching sports.
Michelle Bolden, Vice President of Operations
Michelle joined Gabriel Media in October 2007 as the Operations Manager. Her broadcasting career began in 1978 at WSM Radio as a Traffic Coordinator. Her career experience spanned more than 29 years at WSM Radio, The Nashville Network and WSMV TV where she spent time in Sales, Traffic, Programming and Promotions.
Michelle resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, Tommy. They enjoy attending sporting events, especially when Vanderbilt is playing. Michelle is also involved in many projects at her church including helping with mission work.
Sarah Varnes, Senior Market Manager
Sarah is a driven and experienced professional with a wealth of media sales and management expertise. Her journey began in 2011 as a Marketing Consultant at Townsquare Media in Peoria IL. While there she honed her skills in strategic planning and consultative sales.
Over the next 13 years, she climbed the ranks and held various leadership roles at Alpha Media and Midwest Communications where she achieved exceptional revenue growth and demonstrated her team management abilities.
Her engaging presentation style and genuine personal nature allowed her to inspire and empower her sales teams to reach their full potential.
In 2024 Sarah joined the Gabriel Media family bringing her extensive Radio, TV and Digital Marketing background to the team. Her ability to connect with salespeople, sales managers and business owners makes her a valuable resource to the organization.
Having experienced the transformative power of Gabriel Media’s “Motivation Formula” firsthand at Midwest Communications, she can personally attest to the effectiveness of their revenue generating program.
Currently residing in Peoria IL, Sarah enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends along with traveling, being outdoors and attending concerts.
Melanie Davis, Creative Director
Melanie has been with Gabriel Media since 2016. Her fascination with Microsoft Office started from the moment her family got their first computer. She competed in Business Professionals of America as a teen and naturally joined the business world as an adult. With over a decade of operations management for small businesses, she brings a unique perspective to the Gabriel brand.
Melanie lives in the DFW area. She spends her free time playing with her niece & nephew, crafting, reading, and watching movies. She has an extensive collection of books and movies and hopes to one day have a home with a library – complete with digital check out system.