PYSK: J. Michael Roach
President & Creative Director, IDPgroup
2006-07 Secretary, Mid-Missouri Advertising FederationAGE: 35
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Creative direction, strategy, Web development.
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 13
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: St. Louis
EDUCATION: Culver-Stockton in Canton, Mo., with a major in music and a minor in computer science.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Mid-Missouri Advertising Federation, Woodcrest Chapel music ministry and children’s ministry, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Columbia marketing committee, Northwest Rotary, The PedNet Project
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: In addition to being a Webmaster for DATASTORM Technologies once upon a time, I held marketing positions relating to Internet advertising and marketing at both DATASTORM and Quarterdeck. I also worked for LANIT Consulting as a senior Web development consultant and helped found the Columbia Community Network (www.ColumbiaMO.com) before founding the Image Development Professionals Group (IDPgroup) in March 1999.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: Dave Griggs. As a remarkably successful businessman and a national leader in his field, it would be very easy for Dave to forget about Columbia and “reach his potential,” yet the bigger “Biggs” gets, the more time, money, effort and love he puts back into his own community.
LAST BOOK I READ: Leadership Above the Line by Dr. Sarah Sumner.
WHEN I WAS A CHILD, I WANTED TO GROW UP TO BE: A record producer or a racecar driver.
HOW I CHOSE THIS CAREER: I started out in pursuit of a career in music. After several years of studying music, I felt I would be happier to keep music as a hobby. For me, Web development, with a unique balance of technical and creative skills, was a great tradeoff.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME: Learning to delegate. I’ve read a lot of books and talked with many friends in similar leadership positions. I’ve learned to hire people I trust and let them do what they do.
MY BEST ADVICE TO SOMEONE IN THIS FIELD: Spend more time with your family. This work is a lot of fun, and raising a family is hard work. It’s way too easy to overwork yourself and ignore your family.
HOBBIES AND INTERSTS: Family. I have three great kids and the best wife a man could have. If I can find the time: music (guitar, piano, drums), tennis, hockey and playing ping-pong with my 15-year-old son, Robbie.
FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A SATURDAY MORNING: I fix a big breakfast and watch cartoons with my youngest two children, Kala and Garrett (Robbie sleeps till noon).
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Watching my employees grow in talent and experience and being a part of that growth. It’s a wonderful blessing to contribute to the betterment of another person.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: I have two brothers in the music industry, both signed to record labels with CDs due to release in April.