By day, she’s a mild-mannered senior at Johnston High School. But from 3 to 7 every weeknight, Jenna Winzenburg, 18, is the producer of Deace in the Afternoon, WHO radio’s drive-time talk show. For many teenagers, that could be a little intimidating. But for someone who has practically grown up in the radio business, being in control of the biggest radio station in Iowa is no big deal.

How did you come into this job?

My dad (Stephen) is a communications professor at Grand View (College), and he used to have his own show on Saturdays on WHO. So, I used to come down with him to the station. When I was 10, dad put me on the (control) board at the college station. When I was 16, WHO let me do board operation on Saturday afternoons. Then I got to learn how to do the weekday afternoon show, which at the time was “Drive Time Des Moines.” When the board op at the time left, I took over for him.

How did your friends react when they learned about your new job?

At first, they were actually more excited that I worked for the group of stations that included KISS FM. My teachers were more excited about the WHO thing. It’s always interesting when substitute teachers come in. When they’re doing the roll, I always hope that they don’t listen to the show, because then they make a big deal out of it.

So what, exactly, does your job involve?

Basically, I’m in charge of the board, and anything that goes on the air goes through what I control.

Do you get any time on the air?

I introduce all the elements of the traffic and the weather. Steve and I talk back and forth every once in a while. When Brian Gongol subs for Steve, I have a much bigger on air presence.

Would you like to have your own show?

I would love an on-air show. I’m actually going to Simpson (College) in the fall to study corporate communications management. Hopefully one day I can become a program director or an operations manager for a station. I really want to be more in touch with the programming side of things, but not get too far away from the on-air aspect. Don Thompson has a Sunday morning show that he asked me to guest-host once. I was really nervous because the first radio show I ever did by myself I was 17 and it was on the biggest station in Iowa. But I think it went really well.

How did your co-workers react when you started?

They kind of treat me like their little sister. When I was doing “Drive Time Des Moines,” Sue (Danielson) and Jerry (Reno) were like my second parents. Everybody in the building is like my family.

How is it working with a controversial figure like Steve Deace?

People on the radio have a completely different personality when they aren’t on the air. Steve has been extremely nice to me. Before we started the show, Steve and his family sat down with me and my parents to talk and get to know one another. We didn’t know each other very well, and with a 17-year-old girl being his board op, we definitely needed to knock a few stereotypes down. But Steve and his family have been great to me.

I guess it helps when you have the power to shut off his microphone.  Sometimes it’s good to remind him of that. But no, he really is a lot of fun.

Where would we find you on the weekend?

When it gets nice out, I really love to play tennis. I love walking dogs. Hanging out with my family is really important to me, especially my sister. I’m a big fan of movies from the 50s and the 60s. So I’m really excited when I get a new Cary Grant movie on DVD or Doris Day.

Have you ever been called a grown woman trapped in a teenager’s body?

I’ve been told that a lot, actually. I had a lot of growing up to do when I was 16. I was thrown into this adult world, where I had a real job when I was still in high school. I love my job, though, and I wouldn’t go back and do anything differently. And I do have the “Donnie & Marie” show on DVD, if you ever need to borrow it.

What’s the best part of your job?

It’s so fun to explain to people what I do.

What is the worst part of your job?

I can’t really think of anything, other than the fact that it limits my social life.

So, that would be your dad’s favorite part?

Exactly. Dad loves that I’m starting my night at 7:30 and have to be home by 10:30.