Location: United States
Bill Bledsoe
What do you do? I’m a senior product manager for Best Buy’s Media Network. I’m responsible for building systems that help Best Buy monetize their digital surfaces; think Web, APP and digital experiences in-store. Retail advertising is actually the fastest-growing part of digital marketing and I’m lucky enough to be right in the middle of … Continued
Fred Bleakley
Waitlisted by the Ivy League, nearly sidetracked by interfering deans and his own egregious spelling error did not halt Fred Bleakley’s ambition for a successful career in journalism. Determination, perhaps, is the key to his achievements. He has won prestigious awards, including the John Hancock Award for Excellence in Business Writing. He has held editorial … Continued
Dan G. Blair
What do you do? I was named president and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration in June 2011. The Academy is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization, chartered by Congress to assist government leaders in building more effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent organizations. I was elected as an Academy Fellow in 2008. In … Continued
John Bick
What do you do? Presently retired after a career that included the St. Louis Suburban Journals and a long career in the local business newspaper realm. Was founding general manager of the St. Louis Business Journal in 1980, leading to a primary role in founding seven more business journals and the turnaround of three others. … Continued
Lisa Bertagnoli
What do you do? I am a full-time freelance writer, living and working in Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood. I currently write lifestyle features and cover nonprofits for Crain’s Chicago Business as well as contribute to AARP Bulletin, CreditCards.com, and write for a number of custom publishers. I also wrote a book, Scarlett Rules: When Life Gives … Continued
Gary Belis
Gary Belis, BJ ’77, proudly showcases a letter from Donald Trump on his kitchen wall. After he wrote a review of Trump’s first book in 1988 for Fortune magazine, describing Trump as “the finest example we have of materialism, ambition, and self-love among the baby boomers,” Trump let him know that he thought it was … Continued
Randell Beck
Randell Beck, BJ ’79
Valon Beasley
What do you do? As an entrepreneur, I increase revenue for and exposure of businesses by building their brands. As an educator, I’ve taught junior high and high school students English and Journalism while leading professional development workshops and coordinating events. How did you get your job? After earning a masters in English Education from … Continued
Terry Bauman
What do you do? I retired as a stockbroker in 2002. Prior to earning an MBA, I worked in corporate communications and marketing communications for a life insurance company for 11 years. How did you get your job? I got my job by networking through a professional organization of business communications professionals. What made you … Continued
Jenn Ballard
What do you do? I am the education reporter for The Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs, Ark. How did you get your job? I found it on journalismjobs.com before I had finished my journalism degree. What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School? I don’t think the journalism school teaches you how to … Continued