(Class of 1978)
Jodie (Seay) Dames was born in Wellington, Kansas on January 25, 1960, to high school sweethearts Janice Sue Cox and Joe Van Seay. Jodie is the oldest of the “Seay Girls”, Jodie, Julie and Jill. The family moved to Manhattan, Kansas where father, Joe Seay, graduated from Kansas State in 1964 and received his first job as wrestling coach and teacher in Bakersfield at South High School.
Jodie attended Franklin Elementary School, Plantation Elementary School, Thompson Junior High School and West High School. Jodie’s dad, Joe Seay moved on from South High School wrestling coach to head wrestling coach at Cal State Bakersfield in 1972, but made time to be Jodie’s first track coach, too. Jodie began track and field in junior high school and continued and excelled in track during her high school years (1974-1978).
To understand the depth of Jodie (Seay) Dames athletic achievements, one must understand that her record for the 440 (400 meters) still holds after nearly 50 years, as West’s Best. Jodie was a two time Valley Champion in the 440 (400 meters) in 1977 and 1978. She was also anchor on the 4×100 and 4×400 relay. Jodie was voted most valuable in girls track & field WHS in 1977 and again in 1978, where she held the honor with her sister, Julie who was a high jumper. Jodie was also on the cheerleading squad at West.
With all of her athletic success, Jodie earned a full ride track scholarship to Cal State Bakersfield. At CSUB she was coached by Charlie Craig, and excelled in the 800 Meter race and was anchor on the 4×400 team where the 1981 team was first nationally. Jodie still holds the 4th fastest all-time 800 Meter record from 1981, at CSUB.
In 1982 Jodie graduated from Cal State with a degree in Physical Education; she got married and had her first and only child on December 2, 1982. Jodie took a little break, while completing her student teaching and credentialing.
In 1986 Jodie began a career in radio sales. In 1988 Jodie started working at B-Rock radio where she became the general sales manager until the sale of the station in 1990. Jodie joined Rick Dames, owner of B-Rock, whom she married in 1991, in purchasing and managing radio stations in Columbia, South Carolina, Eugene Oregon, and Corpus Christi, Texas. While in Corpus Christi, Jodie served on the “Corpus Christi Humane Society” as vice president. Jodie also served on the board of directors for the “Eugene Area Advertising Club” and “Corpus Christi Advertising Federation”.
Always active in every market in the “Chamber of Commerce”, on the Board of Directors for “Executive Women International” in Corpus Christi and vice president of the “Texas Jazz Festival Society” in Corpus Christi. While purchasing and developing radio stations, Jodie oversaw training sales talent. Two of Jodie’s sales trainees went on to become the “Corpus Christ Advertising Federation” Salesperson of The Year, while she was awarded Sales Manager of the Year in 1999. Nine of Jodie’s former salespeople have gone on to become Sales Managers and General Sales Managers in radio sales and management all over the country.
Jodie and Rick moved to Las Vegas in 1996 after the sale of Eugene, Oregon Radio Stations. While living in Las Vegas, Jodie was sales manager of a group of radio stations and went on to TV sales and in 2007 was inducted into the “Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame”.
After retiring from media in 2013, Jodie and Rick went into business as Las Vegas RE/MAX Realtors. During this time Jodie has served on the Board of Directors for her HOA. Jodie and Rick love to travel and have traveled through Europe, South America, Australia, Iceland and Greenland and have been fortunate to live all over the United States.
Jodie and Rick have been married for 34 years. Jodie has one daughter and one granddaughter in Dallas, Texas. Along with 3 stepchildren, 5 step grandchildren who live in Florida, Wisconsin and Texas.
