Couples you should know
Policy Director, Office of Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder
Kari Dowell
Marketing and Human Resources Manager, Williams-Keepers LLC
AGE: We’re both 33.
YEARS LIVED IN MID-MISSOURI; ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Jerry: Most of my life; Columbia Kari: 15 years; Brookfield, Mo.
EDUCATION: We both studied political science at MU in the late 1990s. Somehow we never met while in college.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Jerry: I direct all legislative activities on behalf of
Lt. Gov. Kinder. I have also managed a variety of special projects for the office, including a two-year stint as executive director of the Tour of Missouri. Kari: I think my official job description reads, “Do whatever needs to be done.” I manage the marketing department and part of the human resources department, and I also have some firm administration duties. I’m a professional juggler, really.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Jerry: Big Brother with Missouri Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters, board trustee of the Missouri 4-H Foundation and member of Core 20. Kari: Member of Women’s Network and the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee. I also volunteer in a variety of community organizations such as the Central Missouri Food Bank, The Wardrobe and Loaves and Fishes, through my church.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Jerry: I have been working in politics for almost 15 years. I’ve worked on or managed campaigns in every even-numbered year since 1996 for congressional, state senate and state representative candidates. I also served as chief of staff for Sen. John Cauthorn until joining the lieutenant governor’s office in 2005. Kari: I tried out my political science degree for a few years and worked in the Missouri Senate and on a number of political campaigns. I spent a year and a half in the Columbia district office of Congressman Kenny Hulshof before making the leap to the business world. I joined WK in 2003.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: Jerry: Larry Potterfield, owner and president of Midway USA. I admire Larry for his determination and dedication to striving for excellence in all aspects of his business. Kari: Randa Rawlins, general counsel for Shelter Insurance. Randa is a strong, poised leader in her company and the community. She has a successful career, a caring spouse, a beautiful home and a passion for mission work.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: Jerry: In my political and governmental work, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know an amazing assortment of people across the state and beyond. I have met and worked with business owners, small-town campaign volunteers, veterans, farmers, professional cyclists, directors of not-for-profit organizations and even a Munchkin from The Wizard of Oz. Kari: I’m not an accountant, but I still get to play an important role in service to our business and individual clients. For instance, one of my marketing responsibilities is to help communicate technical audit and tax information to our clients in a way that is accurate and accessible. We want to give our readers enough detail to be useful but not so much that we put them to sleep.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Jerry: I would be a shrimp boat captain. Kari: I would be a book editor, to combine my love of reading, copyediting and criticism.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Jerry: The first time I managed a campaign in which the candidate lost was very tough. The candidate worked hard, and we did everything we could do, but we still lost narrowly. I learned not to dwell on what might have been and to move forward with what I had gained from the experience. Kari: Making the transition from politics and government to a private business was a little difficult at first. Not many businesses seek out folks with political science degrees. Fortunately, I was able to work hard and demonstrate that my skills and experience had applicability in the business world.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Jerry: I’m currently coordinating the Missouri Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force, which is charged with developing recommendations for the state’s response to the growing impact of Alzheimer’s disease. I enjoy being part of a group that is proposing solutions to a problem that affects so many families. Kari: Updating WK’s website and incorporating social media into our marketing efforts. We still have a lot of work to do in this area, but it’s fun to use these new communication tools (Shameless plug: Our Twitter username is @WilliamsKeepers).
FAMILY: After eight years of marriage, we’re about to expand our family. We are expecting our first child, a daughter, in September — or sooner, if she has her way.
WHAT TACTICS DO YOU USE TO BALANCE WORKPLACE AND FAMILY DEMANDS: Jerry: Sunday is the most important day of the week for our family. We worship together, spend time doing something fun or relaxing and then discuss our upcoming week so we know in advance how crazy it will be. Kari: I think it’s helpful that we both have busy jobs, so we can understand what the other one is going through. Neither of us is sitting at home, tapping our feet and wondering when the other will be home.
WHAT WE DO FOR FUN: We enjoy watching sporting events, visiting presidential libraries and other historical places of interest and hanging out with friends and family.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Jerry: Faurot Field on a crisp football Saturday. Kari: The corner of Ninth and Elm is where you’ll find three of my favorite places: Missouri United Methodist Church, the MU campus and Shakespeare’s Pizza.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Jerry: I am proudest of serving as a Big Brother and having the ability to influence the life of a child. Kari: Being part of a mission team to Mozambique that built Habitat homes out of thatch, reed and hand-mixed cement.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: Jerry: Used to be a DJ in college. That’s why I had all those dance-pop CDs in my collection. Kari: Performed with my high-school dance team at the Barcelona Olympic Village during the 1992 summer games.