At 25, Marianne Coppock hopes young people in Greater Des Moines look at her and see what they can become. She grew up in West Des Moines, attended Drake University and never left Central Iowa, and doesn’t regret it, either. She set her sights on a career in radio, starting out as an intern with the Des Moines Radio Group. Her duties ranged from on-air personality to marketing and promotions director, and she also served as executive director of Combat Hunger. But Jordan Creek Town Center came calling with a job offer as strategic partnership manager, a position she couldn’t pass up. In one year, she has developed and managed partnerships with Greater Des Moines companies and created programs and special events to foster the Town Center’s role in the community.

How would you describe your years at Valley High School?

I was an activity freak. I got started in radio at the Valley High School radio station (88.7 KWDM), and I still volunteer there. My last two years of high school I was doing drill team in the morning at 6 a.m., I was at school all day and then I did my radio show at night after school. So I was at school from 5:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., and then I went immediately to Foster-Powell Dance, where I danced and assistant taught classes, and I was there until about 10 o’clock every night.

What did you learn from your experience with the radio station?

It was definitely more fun than sitting in study hall. We had a promotions director and a sports manager and all the stuff that a real radio station has. But it taught me about having a staff, and we learned to work together and be a team and try to promote something that wasn’t necessarily easy to promote because you don’t have any money. But it really taught me to be passionate about something.

Were you still able to find time for school?

I wouldn’t say I was an A+ student by any means, but I definitely got by. And I was involved in all the other activities at school. I’m just one of those people where I always need something to do.

Did you give much thought to a career in dance?

That was really hard for me when I was a senior (in high school) because I had to decide, “Do I want to pursue dance or do I want to pursue radio?” And that was when I kind of realized that making a career as a ballerina wasn’t all that realistic. I think I made the right decision, and I still try to go dance now and then or take a class. After I graduated, I realized it was an outlet for me more than anything.

You now fill in for radio shows on Lite 104.1 and Star 102.5, and host that station’s ’70s Saturday Night. What is that like for you?

A lot of people ask how I work at Jordan Creek all week and then still want to work a show on Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight. But it’s not really work for me. That’s my fun, my outlet. And I don’t get nervous. It’s just so natural to me. I feel like I’m talking to my friends. On Saturday nights, I’m constantly taking phone calls and people are out having fun and I’m talking to them. I don’t have a moment to sit down.

Have you had any weird experiences as an on-air personality?

I never thought I would get to that point where people would know who I was. But occasionally someone will recognize my voice. And I had a couple people call me at Star when I first started who said, “Oh my gosh, I used to listen to you on the high school radio station, and now you made it. I’m so happy for you.” That’s strange.

You never thought you’d leave the Des Moines Radio Group. So how did you end up leaving to work at Jordan Creek Town Center?

In March 2004 I got a call from a friend who said there was a position open and that I should check it out. My dad has always taught me that it’s worth listening. It sounded like something new and different and exciting, and I think it meant more for me to see Jordan Creek coming to Des Moines because I have lived here all my life and so I know the potential Des Moines has, and I was just really excited to be a part of it.

Is there anyone in your life who you particularly admire?

Definitely my dad. He works hard, he’s honest, he’s earned everything he’s ever gotten. He’s just a good dad. I’m definitely a daddy’s girl, and he’s given me lots of advice. He always talks to me to have a plan, and he also taught me very early on that you’ve got to take care of yourself. Yeah, you can have close friends and get married, but ultimately you’re the only person who is going to live with you for your whole life.

What advice do you have for young people in Des Moines?

I feel like I am a really great example of what I hope young kids in Des Moines become. I hope they see all that Des Moines has to offer, and the great opportunities that are here for them. It is great to leave and spread your wings a little bit, but I hope that students really see that Des Moines has a lot of opportunities. It’s perfect – it’s not too big, it’s not too small, it’s a great place to be, it’s a great place to grow up, it’s a great place to work, it’s a great place to have a family. It has everything you could need.