Location: Missouri
Donna E. Schwartze
Donna Schwartze is the author of Eight Years. Originally from Jefferson City, Mo., Donna now lives in Kansas City where she currently runs a management company for professional athletes. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she also holds a Master of Arts in communications. From a very young age, she just … Continued
Jeffrey Whitford, BJ ’04
What do you do? I lead the ideation, creation and implementation of products, projects and programs that help our company and customers increase sustainability and be leaders in social impact related to science education and scientific research. How did you get your job? I “volunteered” into it…literally. I did an internship proofing catalogs and was … Continued
James Etling, MA ’69
What do you do? I worked in public relations and newspaper printing before I retired. After graduation I worked in public relations for five years at Laclede Gas Co. (now Spire) in St. Louis. I was the staff assistant and editor of the monthly company magazine, Laclede News. I greatly enjoyed my years at Laclede … Continued
Alumnus Jon Franko carves his own path to success
By Jerry Duggan (Feb. 25, 2020) — Jon Franko, BJ ’05, may have grown up on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, but he’s always been a Mizzou guy. Franko, whose grandfather, Keith Parker, played fullback for MU under esteemed football coach Don Faurot, bled black and gold when his friends bled orange and … Continued
Greg Kornfeld
What do you do? I’m an account executive at KTRS Radio in St. Louis. I started here in 1996. Prior to that, I was an account executive at KMOX/KLOU from 1977 to 1996. I’ve been in the business for 42 years. How did you get your job? I interviewed with Tim Dorsey and Robert Hyland … Continued
Jim McCarty
What do you do? I am editor of the Rural Missouri magazine, the largest paid-circulation monthly in Missouri with a circulation of 550,000. I have served in that position longer than any other editor in the 69-year history of the publication. I also serve as the vice president of communications and printing for the Association … Continued
Laura Bryant
Journalism Grad Discovers Love of Corporate Communications: Laura Bryant’s Planned Career Diverges in New Direction The plan was set. The timing was perfect. Graduate in May from the Missouri School of Journalism and go to Moscow for the Olympic Games as a journalist. Laura Bryant, BJ ’80, had the skills, especially since she had been studying … Continued
Brian Yamada
With constant curiosity and an eagerness to solve the next problem that comes his way, Brian Yamada, BJ ’93, has found success in an industry that is evolving every day. As the chief innovation officer of VML, one of the world’s top digital advertising agencies, Yamada works with the advancing world of communication technology on … Continued
Dave Matter
A month after Dave Matter, BJ ’00, graduated from the University of Missouri, he sat in Quinton’s Bar and Deli with Columbia Daily Tribune sports editor Kent Heitholt and sports reporter Jason Williams. The casual lunch turned into the biggest moment of his young life when Heitholt offered him the University of Missouri football beat … Continued
Brian Brooker
After 30-plus years of working in advertising, Brian Brooker, BJ ’83, has learned the importance of relationships. Whether they are between him and his creative team, or between the products he works on and their consumers, Brooker’s success in building strong relationships comes down to one thing: He gets people. “You have to figure out … Continued