Allen Hunt
Encyclopedia
Allen R. Hunt is an American radio personality
. He is the host of the nationally syndicated talk radio
program, The Allen Hunt Show. Hunt, a former Methodist pastor who is now a Roman Catholic, addresses issues of morality and faith as a talk show host, but not in the context of a traditional religious program.
. Later, his family moved to Lakeland, Florida
, where Hunt graduated from high school. He has one brother, James. In 1988, he married Anita Griffin, and they have two daughters, SarahAnn and Griffin Elizabeth.
in Macon, Georgia, and later completed a Master of Divinity degree at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. In 1994, Hunt completed his Ph.D. in New Testament and Ancient Christian Origins at Yale University.
Hunt then returned to school to pursue full-time ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church
. As a pastor, Hunt served in three local churches: in Carrollton, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; and Alpharetta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. His ministry included time as the leader of a small, rural church, a new church start, and a leading megachurch with a membership over 7000.
In 2005, Hunt became a part of a new ministry venture, which evolved into The Allen Hunt Show. As the show grew, it became clear that he could not serve both as a full-time pastor and as a talk radio host and speaker, so he stepped down from his pastoral role in 2007 and launched into full-time talk radio. The Allen Hunt Show has grown from a small weekend presence in Atlanta into a nationally syndicated weekend show on Saturday and Sunday nights in markets all over the United States.
In February, 2009, Allen was named to the prestigious Talkers Magazine's 100 heavy hitters in talk radio, receiving a ranking unprecedented for a newcomer in the industry.
, bluegrass music, and college sports. His favorite music usually revolves around 70s rock, like Meat Loaf
, Boston, and ZZ Top
, and southern rock, like Tom Petty
, Lynyrd Skynyrd
, and the Allman Brothers.
He used to drive a 99' Ford F-150, but sold his automobile and walks to work. He has two daughters, Griffin and SarahAnn.
and announced his conversion to Catholicism
.
Radio personality
A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
. He is the host of the nationally syndicated talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
program, The Allen Hunt Show. Hunt, a former Methodist pastor who is now a Roman Catholic, addresses issues of morality and faith as a talk show host, but not in the context of a traditional religious program.
Early life
Hunt was born in Los Angeles, California, but raised in Brevard, North CarolinaBrevard, North Carolina
Brevard is a town in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. The 2005 population estimate by the United States Census Bureau was 6,643. It is the county seat of Transylvania County....
. Later, his family moved to Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
, where Hunt graduated from high school. He has one brother, James. In 1988, he married Anita Griffin, and they have two daughters, SarahAnn and Griffin Elizabeth.
Education
Hunt graduated from Lakeland High School which, as he proudly states on air, is the home of the 6 time state champion and 2 time national champion, Lakeland Dreadnaughts football team. He earned undergraduate degrees in Finance and History from Mercer UniversityMercer University
Mercer University is an independent, private, coeducational university with a Baptist heritage located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Mercer is the only university of its size in the United States that offers programs in eleven diversified fields of study: liberal arts, business, education, music,...
in Macon, Georgia, and later completed a Master of Divinity degree at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. In 1994, Hunt completed his Ph.D. in New Testament and Ancient Christian Origins at Yale University.
Professional life
Hunt's professional background has spanned several fields. After college, with experience in real estate development, brokerage, and investment, he worked for Kurt Salmon Associates, an international management consulting firm. Most of his work there focused on strategic planning and marketing assistance for textile and apparel companies as well as some work in mergers and acquisitions.Hunt then returned to school to pursue full-time ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
. As a pastor, Hunt served in three local churches: in Carrollton, Georgia; Rome, Georgia; and Alpharetta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. His ministry included time as the leader of a small, rural church, a new church start, and a leading megachurch with a membership over 7000.
In 2005, Hunt became a part of a new ministry venture, which evolved into The Allen Hunt Show. As the show grew, it became clear that he could not serve both as a full-time pastor and as a talk radio host and speaker, so he stepped down from his pastoral role in 2007 and launched into full-time talk radio. The Allen Hunt Show has grown from a small weekend presence in Atlanta into a nationally syndicated weekend show on Saturday and Sunday nights in markets all over the United States.
In February, 2009, Allen was named to the prestigious Talkers Magazine's 100 heavy hitters in talk radio, receiving a ranking unprecedented for a newcomer in the industry.
Personal life
As Hunt has shared on the air, he enjoys hiking, reading, NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, bluegrass music, and college sports. His favorite music usually revolves around 70s rock, like Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
, Boston, and ZZ Top
ZZ Top
ZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
, and southern rock, like Tom Petty
Tom Petty
Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the frontman of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and was a founding member of the late 1980s supergroup Traveling Wilburys and Mudcrutch. He has also performed under the pseudonyms of Charlie T...
, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
, and the Allman Brothers.
He used to drive a 99' Ford F-150, but sold his automobile and walks to work. He has two daughters, Griffin and SarahAnn.
Annual luncheons
For the past two years Hunt and his team has put on to charity luncheons benefiting Murphy-Harpst Children's Home in Cedartown, GA. Both events were held in Atlanta, GA. The 1st Annual Allen Hunt Show Luncheon was hosted at the Cobb Galleria and featured keynote speaker Vince Dooley. The 2nd Annual Allen Hunt Show Luncheon was moved to the Cobb Energy Centre and featured keynote speaker University of Georgia Head Football Coach Mark Richt.Conversion
In January 2008 Hunt severed his formal ties with the United Methodist ChurchUnited Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
and announced his conversion to Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
.