EM AlumniEM Alumni

Where are they now? Where Where are they now? Where have they been?have they been?

What do they say?What do they say?

Jaclyn Fowler, ‘00Jaclyn Fowler, ‘00• Company: Company:

Walt Disney Events Walt Disney Events Group, Orlando, FLGroup, Orlando, FL

• Title: Title: Entertainment ManagerEntertainment Manager

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““I would encourage I would encourage everyone to everyone to volunteervolunteer in the community for in the community for local events. Those local events. Those activities are very activities are very important on your important on your resume.” resume.” 

Chauntelle Johnson, ‘05Chauntelle Johnson, ‘05• Company: Company:

WNBA WNBA Seattle StormSeattle Storm• Title: Title:

Community Relations Community Relations Senior CoordinatorSenior Coordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Explain to them how Explain to them how important important internships internships are.  Don’t just take are.  Don’t just take anything, really work hard anything, really work hard and apply for the top ones and apply for the top ones EARLY.” EARLY.” 

Ben Baker ‘02Ben Baker ‘02• Company: Company:  Formerly, Formerly, Temple University Temple University

Athletics Football, Athletics Football, Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA

• Now: Now: Travel Director, MaritzTravel Director, Maritz– Previously,Previously, sports information

assistant at Drexel University– CSR with the Philadelphia Eagles

Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Try to Try to gain some gain some experienceexperience in any area you in any area you are interested in. Getting are interested in. Getting involved and becoming involved and becoming associated with professionals associated with professionals in the industry is such a in the industry is such a valuable asset. Just keep in valuable asset. Just keep in mind that whatever you want mind that whatever you want to accomplish is to accomplish is up to youup to you!”!” www.macmeetings.com

Jake Dunlap ‘03Jake Dunlap ‘03• Company: Company:

formerly formerly Tampa Bay Devil Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Account Executive Rays, Account Executive

• Now:Now:Personal AssistantPersonal Assistant

Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““The key to getting a job The key to getting a job in the sports industry is in the sports industry is your internship. I would your internship. I would suggest not only doing suggest not only doing one, but do one, but do multiple multiple internshipsinternships to set to set yourself above the yourself above the competition.” competition.” 

Rachel Queen ‘00Rachel Queen ‘00Company: Company:

Touhill Performing Arts Touhill Performing Arts Center, St. Louis, MOCenter, St. Louis, MO

• Title: Title: Director of Marketing Director of Marketing

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom: ““NetworkNetwork! It may take ! It may take

a few years to build up a a few years to build up a good base of industry good base of industry peers, but the more peers, but the more people you meet & people you meet & genuinely connect with, genuinely connect with, the more opportunities the more opportunities you’ll have in the you’ll have in the future.”future.”

Jason Doerge ‘00Jason Doerge ‘00

Company:      Company:     

America's Center, America's Center, St. Louis, MOSt. Louis, MO

• Title:        Title:       

Event ManagerEvent Manager

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:

““Be preparedBe prepared when when opportunity presents opportunity presents itself.”itself.”

The LA Contingent, Sept. 2006The LA Contingent, Sept. 2006

Chase Bartels ‘02Chase Bartels ‘02• Company:      Company:     

Warner Brothers Warner Brothers Television, Burbank, CATelevision, Burbank, CA

• Title:        Title:        Current TV DivisionCurrent TV Division

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Think about the Think about the biggest goal you would biggest goal you would like to achieve in your like to achieve in your career and then think career and then think backwards, no one backwards, no one starts at the top!”starts at the top!”

Company: Company: Universal MusicUniversal Music

Title: Title: Manager of Online Manager of Online MarketingMarketing

About the Job:About the Job: “It’s been a “It’s been a dream job the past year and I dream job the past year and I look forward to the future.  look forward to the future.  Everyone is the best here, it’s Everyone is the best here, it’s fun, I enjoy going to work every fun, I enjoy going to work every day and with UMG being at the day and with UMG being at the top between all the labels and top between all the labels and by far the biggest worldwide”by far the biggest worldwide”

Brandon ChamberlainBrandon Chamberlain

Tom Ringhofer ‘04Tom Ringhofer ‘04• Company:      Company:     

The William Morris The William Morris Endeavor Agency, Beverly Endeavor Agency, Beverly Hills, CAHills, CA

• Title:        Title:        Assistant Booking Agent, Assistant Booking Agent, MusicMusic

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““The most important thing The most important thing you can do to make it in you can do to make it in the entertainment the entertainment industry is to industry is to network network and make connectionsand make connections.”.”

Aimee Smith ‘04Aimee Smith ‘04• Company:     Company:    

Immortal Entertainment, Immortal Entertainment, Los Angeles, CALos Angeles, CA

• Title:        Title:        Executive Assistant to President, Internship Executive Assistant to President, Internship CoordinatorCoordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Don’t underestimate the importance of Don’t underestimate the importance of your your internship!internship!  It is absolutely   It is absolutely essential essential to starting an entertainment careerto starting an entertainment career.”.”

Jenni Azzanni ‘04Jenni Azzanni ‘04• Currently: Currently:

MTV NetworksMTV Networks• Previously: Previously:

Event, Coordinator, Event, Coordinator, Jam Productions Chicago, ILJam Productions Chicago, IL

Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Give it everything you've got.  Give it everything you've got.  If you show initiative, guts, and If you show initiative, guts, and that you are that you are willing to learnwilling to learn, , your company will see that. your company will see that. Also, go into the industry Also, go into the industry loving what you doloving what you do, not just , not just loving that you get to work loving that you get to work with artists or sport stars.” with artists or sport stars.” 

Lisa Johns, ‘06Lisa Johns, ‘06• Company: Company:

Primary Care Physicians Primary Care Physicians Education Network, Education Network, Springfield MOSpringfield MO

• Title: Title: CME Event CoordinatorCME Event Coordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Get an internship that Get an internship that relates to what you really relates to what you really want to do. An internship is want to do. An internship is the key that will open many the key that will open many doors in your career.”doors in your career.”

Amy Douglas and Megan Whitney ‘08

MBA, Missouri State University

Megan Whitney, EM 07 /MBA 08Megan Whitney, EM 07 /MBA 08 Company: Company: Autism SpeaksAutism Speaks Title: Title: Walk Coordinator – Walk Coordinator –

MidwestMidwest Words of Wisdom: Words of Wisdom: “My work as “My work as

Service Corp Leader in EMA served Service Corp Leader in EMA served me we well, as working with our me we well, as working with our student volunteers directly correlates student volunteers directly correlates to my working with volunteer planners to my working with volunteer planners and fundraisers today.  As the EMA and fundraisers today.  As the EMA Treasurer, keeping track of Treasurer, keeping track of organizational monies is exactly what organizational monies is exactly what I have to do now, only with a revenue I have to do now, only with a revenue goal of $525,000 between the three goal of $525,000 between the three Walks.” Walks.” 

Correspondence:

I must admit the experiences I gained from EMA have a correlation to me receiving the job offer.  As the Service Corp Leader, the volunteer experiences I gained are directly related to my working with our Autism Speaks Committee Leaders/Volunteers.  Additionally, as the EMA Treasurer I learned valuable skills that relate directly to my running accounting rooms that take in tens of thousands of dollars in a few HOURS!  And ironically enough, my group's MGT 310 seminar was about how to put on a walk/run in Springfield.  

-Megan Whitney-Megan Whitney

Ashleigh Middlebrook ‘06Ashleigh Middlebrook ‘06

St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Cardinals,          

Operations AssistantOperations Assistant

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Jackie Kirk ‘06Jackie Kirk ‘06• Company: Company:

Ramada Oasis Inn Ramada Oasis Inn and Convention and Convention Center, Springfield, Center, Springfield, MOMO

• Title: Title: Convention Services Convention Services DirectorDirector

• Observation:Observation:““Incredible internship Incredible internship with Ozark Empire with Ozark Empire Fair. Wanted to stay Fair. Wanted to stay in Springfield.” in Springfield.”

Jeff Sackman, ‘01Jeff Sackman, ‘01• Company: Company:

The Booking Agency The Booking Agency Burlington, VTBurlington, VT

• Title: Title: Booking AgentBooking Agent

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Prepare for an uphill Prepare for an uphill climb because the climb because the music industry can be music industry can be unforgiving. Keep your unforgiving. Keep your eyes and ears open eyes and ears open and know how to and know how to communicate communicate effectively and effectively and efficientlyefficiently.”.”

Jason Bowers ‘03Jason Bowers ‘03• Company: Company:

FineGold Productions, FineGold Productions, New York, NYNew York, NY

• Title: Title: singer/songwriter/singer/songwriter/producer producer

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Being true to Being true to yourselfyourself, your ideas, , your ideas, and your IDEALS in and your IDEALS in every situation is your every situation is your number one assetnumber one asset and makes you stick and makes you stick out in the crowd. out in the crowd.

Patrick Fitzgerald ‘03Patrick Fitzgerald ‘03• Company:  Company: 

Previously, Previously, Event Event Coordinator,Coordinator, The Orleans The Orleans ArenaArenaNow:  Now:  Director of Marketing, Director of Marketing, Boyd Entertainment, Las Boyd Entertainment, Las Vegas, NVVegas, NV

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““The key to success is The key to success is not to put off until not to put off until tomorrow what you tomorrow what you can do today.can do today.””

Tara Franklin Houx, ‘03Tara Franklin Houx, ‘03• Company:     Company:     

Overland Park Convention Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS Center, Overland Park, KS (Global Spectrum property) (Global Spectrum property)

• Title:        Title:        Sales DirectorSales Director(formerly Wedding and (formerly Wedding and Sales Coordinator)Sales Coordinator)

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Professionals in the Professionals in the industry are industry are very very impressedimpressed with the with the Entertainment Management Entertainment Management degree program at SMS. It degree program at SMS. It helped me land my helped me land my dream dream jobjob.”  .” 

Lisa Kelly and Tara HouxLisa Kelly and Tara Houx

Lisa KellyLisa Kelly with with Pitch Magazine, Pitch Magazine, Dr. Rothschild, & Dr. Rothschild, & Tara HouxTara Houx with with the Overland the Overland Park Convention Park Convention CenterCenter

Summer 2007Summer 2007

Bob Nelson ‘02Bob Nelson ‘02• Company:  Company: 

City of SpringfieldCity of Springfield • Title: Title: Special Events Special Events

and arks Public and arks Public Information Information AdministratorAdministrator

• Words of Wisdom: Words of Wisdom: ““The old saying, ‘It is The old saying, ‘It is who you know, not who you know, not what you know’ seems what you know’ seems to be very to be very true in our true in our industry. industry. Continue to Continue to networknetwork at every at every level through your level through your college experience.”college experience.”

Stephanie Szurek '06Stephanie Szurek '06

Company: Company: University of Minnesota - University of Minnesota - Institute on the EnvironmentInstitute on the Environment

Title: Title: Events CoordinatorEvents Coordinator

Erica Schisler ‘03Erica Schisler ‘03

• Company:Company:United Center, Chicago United Center, Chicago Title: Title: Event CoordinatorEvent Coordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Be willing to learnBe willing to learn about all aspects of the about all aspects of the entertainment industry. entertainment industry. Be passionateBe passionate about about what you do, learn from those around you, and what you do, learn from those around you, and have fun.”have fun.”

Christy McCouch ‘03Christy McCouch ‘03

• Company: Company: Actors’ Playhouse, Actors’ Playhouse, Miami, FloridaMiami, Florida

• Title: Title: CompanyCompany Manager/Assistant to the Manager/Assistant to the Artistic DirectorArtistic Director

• Words of Wisdom: Words of Wisdom: “Do your “Do your research, make your research, make your connections and do your best connections and do your best to find a to find a mentormentor.” .”

Eric Day ‘00Eric Day ‘00• Company:     Company:    

Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals

• Title:        Title:        Account ExecutiveAccount Executive

• Past Jobs:Past Jobs:Ticketing Manager, Ozark Ticketing Manager, Ozark Mountain Ducks; Sales Mountain Ducks; Sales Manager; Colorado Springs Manager; Colorado Springs Sky Sox; Account Sky Sox; Account Executive, Springfield Executive, Springfield Cardinals.Cardinals.

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Rebecca Hensel, ‘04Rebecca Hensel, ‘04

• Company: Company: Kansas City Kansas City Convention and Visitors Convention and Visitors AssociationAssociation

• Title: Title: Sales Account ExecutiveSales Account Executive

• Job Duties: Job Duties: Handling clients and helping to Handling clients and helping to set up meetings for different set up meetings for different associations across the country.associations across the country.

Martina Wyatt ‘04Martina Wyatt ‘04• Company:     Company:    

Chariton Valley Telephone Chariton Valley Telephone Corporation, Macon, MOCorporation, Macon, MO

• Title:        Title:        Communications Specialist, Communications Specialist, Public Relations & MarketingPublic Relations & Marketing

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““INTERNSHIPS!! Employers INTERNSHIPS!! Employers are very impressed with are very impressed with candidates who have taken candidates who have taken the time to pursue an the time to pursue an internship.”internship.”

Matt Kentner ‘06Matt Kentner ‘06• School:     School:    

University of Missouri-University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City

• Title:        Title:        Final Year Law StudentFinal Year Law Student

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Contacts, contacts, Contacts, contacts, contacts. It’s all about contacts. It’s all about being at the right place, at being at the right place, at the right time and knowing the right time and knowing the right person.”the right person.” Matt Kentner (left) pictured with

Tim Hayslett & Robin Lipshitz ‘06

Nicole (Montgomery) Enger ‘04Nicole (Montgomery) Enger ‘04• Company:     Company:    

Saint Louis Symphony Saint Louis Symphony OrchestraOrchestra

• Title:        Title:        Manager of Promotions and Manager of Promotions and Single Ticket SalesSingle Ticket Sales

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Always show the initiative. Always show the initiative. Initiative will take you Initiative will take you everywhere you need to be everywhere you need to be in this industry.”in this industry.”

Denise Behlmann ‘05Denise Behlmann ‘05• Company:     Company:    

CBL Properties, CBL Properties, St. Peters, MOSt. Peters, MO

• Title:        Title:        Customer Service Center Customer Service Center SupervisorSupervisor

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Write ‘Thank You’ cards Write ‘Thank You’ cards and network. You may and network. You may never know how or when never know how or when you may cross paths with you may cross paths with someone later in life.”someone later in life.”

Kathy Murphy ‘05Kathy Murphy ‘05• Company: Company: 

Graduate Student, U Graduate Student, U of Alabama, of Alabama, Sports MgtSports Mgt

• Title:        Title:        Intern, Colonnade Intern, Colonnade Group Group

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Network. Don’t Network. Don’t burn bridges. And burn bridges. And don’t limit yourself.”don’t limit yourself.”

Jen Dunn ‘04Jen Dunn ‘04• Company:     Company:    

Freelance TV Freelance TV Production,Production,Nashville, TNNashville, TN

• Title:        Title:        Production Production Assistant/CoordinatorAssistant/Coordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Always be willing to talk Always be willing to talk to anybody…you just never to anybody…you just never know who can help you know who can help you learn something new or learn something new or introduce you to your next introduce you to your next friend or co-worker.”friend or co-worker.”

Danielle Waggoner Long ‘03Danielle Waggoner Long ‘03• Company:     Company:    

Lifesong Church, Orlando, FLLifesong Church, Orlando, FL

• Title:        Title:        Preschool TeacherPreschool Teacher

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““There’s a whole world There’s a whole world awaiting you once you finish awaiting you once you finish college. Your classes will college. Your classes will prepare you for some things, prepare you for some things, but your experiences will be but your experiences will be your best lessons learned.”your best lessons learned.”

Brent Owens, ‘06Brent Owens, ‘06• School: School:

Pepperdine University Pepperdine University School of Law, School of Law,

• Malibu, CAMalibu, CA• Title: Title:

Final Year Law StudentFinal Year Law Student

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Get involved with Get involved with people and activities people and activities that are in line with that are in line with your interests or your interests or desired career field. desired career field. Do it as early as Do it as early as possible” possible” 

Amanda Bryant ‘05Amanda Bryant ‘05• Company:     Company:    

Freelance TV Production, Freelance TV Production, based out of Nashville, TNbased out of Nashville, TN

• Title:        Title:        Television & Concert Television & Concert Production CoordinatorProduction Coordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Always bring your A Always bring your A game!”game!”

Melissa Henderson Thweatt ‘05Melissa Henderson Thweatt ‘05• Company:     Company:    

Primary Care Education Primary Care Education Network, Springfield, MONetwork, Springfield, MO

• Title:        Title:        CME Event CoordinatorCME Event Coordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““In this industry, you’ll run In this industry, you’ll run into a roadblock almost into a roadblock almost every day – you must be every day – you must be able to keep your cool & able to keep your cool & solve any problem that solve any problem that comes your way.”comes your way.”

Julie Wiseman ‘01Julie Wiseman ‘01• Company:     Company:    

ACR Nally Marketing Group, ACR Nally Marketing Group, Springfield, MOSpringfield, MO

• Title:        Title:        Media & Promotions Media & Promotions CoordinatorCoordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Network, network, Network, network, network! You never know network! You never know when the person you are when the person you are talking to could be your talking to could be your next boss or client.”next boss or client.”

Rebecca Eakins ‘07Rebecca Eakins ‘07• Company:     Company:    

Studio Talent Group, Santa Studio Talent Group, Santa Monica, CAMonica, CA

• Title:        Title:        Talent/Booking AgencyTalent/Booking Agency

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Internships are crucial, Internships are crucial, even is it is unpaid, it will even is it is unpaid, it will pay off in the long run.”pay off in the long run.”

Lacey (Rice) SpallittaLacey (Rice) Spallitta Company: Company: MAC Meetings & EventsMAC Meetings & Events Title: Title: Meeting PlannerMeeting Planner Words of Wisdom: Words of Wisdom: “Get involved with “Get involved with

EMA, community events, organizations EMA, community events, organizations such as MPI and find a good internship. such as MPI and find a good internship. This will help you gain some hands on This will help you gain some hands on experience and make good contacts for experience and make good contacts for future opportunities.”future opportunities.”

Sarah Outland, ‘06Sarah Outland, ‘06• Company:     Company:    

The University of Chicago The University of Chicago Graduate School of Graduate School of BusinessBusiness

• Title:        Title:        Manager, Career Resource Manager, Career Resource CenterCenter

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Don’t commit to financial Don’t commit to financial obligations post-graduation obligations post-graduation without a job. And be without a job. And be patient!”patient!”

Matt Patrick ‘03Matt Patrick ‘03• Company:     Company:    

International Special International Special Attractions, Ltd., Attractions, Ltd., Branson, MOBranson, MO

• Title:        Title:        Production CoordinatorProduction Coordinator

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Experience. Experience. One word of advice just One word of advice just doesn’t seem enough; doesn’t seem enough; there’s so much to learn there’s so much to learn and do everyday.”and do everyday.”

Brendon Wagner ‘07Brendon Wagner ‘07• Company:     Company:    

VenuWorks/Fairfield VenuWorks/Fairfield Arts and Convention Arts and Convention CenterCenter

• Title:        Title:        Executive DirectorExecutive Director

• Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:““Meet everyone you can Meet everyone you can and learn everything you and learn everything you didn’t think you would need didn’t think you would need to know. Today’s contact is to know. Today’s contact is tomorrow’s employer.”tomorrow’s employer.”

Tara (Thompson) Stepp (’05) Hello Dr. R:

I am now working for Sony BMG / Provident Label Group as the National Promotions Marketing Coordinator. I am in charge of planning events for radio stations nationwide as well as touring with our artists on promo tours. Right now I'm working on an event for the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles featuring Michael W. Smith and Melinda Doolittle from American Idol. Should be fun! Hope things are going well in Springfield. I always enjoy getting the alumni updates - makes me proud to be a part of such a successful bunch!

Take care,Tara (Thompson) Stepp

Janelle Todd ‘06Janelle Todd ‘06

Company: Company: Missouri Missouri Grocers Association Grocers Association Springfield, MOSpringfield, MO

Position: Position: Communications/Event Communications/Event Coordinator Coordinator

Words of Wisdom:Words of Wisdom:

Always follow through Always follow through with want you say you with want you say you are going to do and are going to do and NETWORK, NETWORK.NETWORK, NETWORK.

Stacie (King) White, ‘06 Stacie (King) White, ‘06

Company:Company:Zuma Fun Centers, Zuma Fun Centers,

Wichita, KSWichita, KS Position:Position:

General Manager for General Manager for All Star Sports All Star Sports

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