I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A MINUTE, Y'ALL.

I am a Fishin' Chick!

I grew up fishing with my father in rural south Alabama and never forgot how special that time on the water was with him.  

After graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Art I high tailed it to Dallas to begin what I thought was going to be a career as a designer.  But through a serendipitous series of events, five years later I landed in Little Rock, Arkansas at JM Associates which is the television production company founded by Jerry McKinnis about a hundred years ago. 

Once I got to JM, I knew I was home. This was the most creative, innovative production group outdoor television.  Jerry's leadership and vision created an environment where you could never rest on your laurels.....there was always the next project to start and it had to be better and more creative than the last one. 

Over the next 30 years, I held roles as Motion Graphic Designer, 3D Animator, Producer, Director, and even on camera host when I was a talent for ESPN Outdoors and for my own show called Cumberland Stories. Most of our work was for ESPN....I still have friends there who feel more like family.

Through Cumberland Stories, I tried to tell stories about Americana....the heart and soul of the outdoors which many times consisted of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  Which is my passion.

I love people who love the outdoors.  That's my jam.  I spent my career telling their stories.

In 2011, Jerry was part of a group who purchased B.A.S.S. from ESPN and I found myself pitching in where ever I could to help.  I was Director of Digital Content, then VP of Event & Sponsorships and finally VP of Sales.  I loved my time at B.A.S.S. and the incredibly talented and passionate people who work there. 

Over my 30 years in the fishing business I've closed over $50MM in sales so in addition to understanding content, editorial, storytelling and marketing, I have a deep understanding of sales. And we're all in sales y'all.  All of us, in one way or another. Whether your title is sales executive, or you're a professional athlete, or your a content creator trying to get your work recognized....it's all sales. And I love it. 

Now I'm exploring my next creative endeavor.  For years I was itching to get back to creating good content...telling good stories.  That's what makes me happy and lights me up. 

I also wanted to try to give some of my knowledge of this intricate industry back to those coming along behind me.  I feel like I owe it to the industry that gave me the greatest career I could have ever imagined to try to teach the next generation as they move into leadership roles. 

So this is my attempt.  Let me know how you think I'm doing.