Meet the Faculty

Dan Mellon, Program Coordinator/Professor

Dan has been working in the radio and television industry for over 25 years. Starting out at age 15 working at his local cable TV outlet, he moved to radio as a 17 year old and continues to be on radio to this day. Dan graduated from the Algonquin College Radio Broadcasting Program in 1997, since then he has been on air at over 12 different radio stations. Prior to becoming a full-time professor in 2010, Dan was the Program Director of 98.3 FLY-FM and 98.9 THE DRIVE in Kingston Ontario where he held a #1 ranking in the ratings. Dan specializes in radio programming strategies, music rotations, talent coaching and programming research. A special project that Dan assisted with was the launch of the Canadian Forces radio station “RANA-FM” in Kandahar Afghanistan during the conflict there. Dan has a vast personal network of broadcast industry professionals that often interact with students in the Algonquin radio program. He is married with three kids and enjoys cooking big elaborate meals when he’s not too busy!

Jessica Brando

Jessica spent the first ten years of her career at the CBC, working as a reporter and producer on the radio. Her job had her travelling the country, and occasionally overseas. Wherever Jessica was, the microphone was on, and she was telling stories. She changed gears after her first child was born, and started teaching her craft at Algonquin in 2008. Jessica teaches a mix of communications, current affairs, and news writing courses in the radio and journalism programs. Being a professor at Algonquin is an amazing opportunity for her to share her experience, and to help train the next generation of story-tellers.

Lana Paine

Lana Paine is a Radio Broadcasting Program Graduate and has been working in the industry ever since. She has worked in promotions, production and on-air for several radio stations, however the majority of Lana’s radio career has been in Commercial Writing both in radio stations as well as freelance work for various clients. Lana has an enthusiastic style which encourages students to dig deep for their inner creativity and bring it to life in their work. When she’s not inspiring students at Algonquin, Lana runs an internet based sound-product business and volunteers with Girl Guides of Canada. Lana is kept on her toes at home with her teenage daughter, sound-engineer husband and their rescued Border Collie.

Mike Felhaber

Mike has over 20 years experience in the radio industry. While not a graduate of the college, he got his start doing overnights here in Ottawa – before moving onto mornings in Timmins, Ontario. It was there he got interested with production – making a stop in Sudbury as their network imaging producer – before returning home to Ottawa. Having worked both in front and behind the microphone, Mike has had the opportunity to image many well known local and national brands including – Virgin, The Bear, XFM and CHEZ. He is currently the imaging producer for Corus Entertainment – focusing his attention on Jump 1069 and Boom 997.

Jessica Bilson

Jessica has been working in the radio industry for over 15 years. After graduating from Radio Broadcasting, and after a short stint at 102FM The Fox in North Bay, she started her full-time gig at myFM Radio with My Broadcasting Corporation. Working for MBC has given Jessica the opportunity to dip her toes into a pile of different departments and to work for a station that is constantly growing. She is currently the myFM Midday Host in 12 different markets across Ontario and a Senior Producer and Certified Copywriter working for all MBC stations including all myFMs, Classic Rock 107.9, Extra 90.5, Oldies 107.7, 96.7 and 100.9. Jessica is very passionate about radio and production and she loves the fact that she gets to share her passion with future broadcasters enrolled in the Radio Broadcasting Program and the Journalism Program at Algonquin College. When she’s not at work, you can find her traveling, snowboarding or golfing.