Jack Miller

President, True Media

AGE: 33 JOB DESCRIPTION: Oversee operations, sales and management of True Media offices in Columbia, St. Louis and Calgary, Alberta, Canada

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 15

ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Moberly

EDUCATION: University of Missouri, business degree from William Woods University

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Outside of business and family, I dedicate the majority of my time to teaching Bible classes to the Spanish community in Columbia.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Prior to starting True Media, I was a minority shareholder and director of sales for Premier Marketing Group.

A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: One of my favorite projects has been putting together our annual client education seminars. Last year we had the social media director for Southwest Airlines speak. This year we had the social media director from Dell computers.

A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: Nobody has had more impact on my professional life than Al Germond, Dave Baugher and John Ott. To them I will forever be grateful. I appreciate Terry Woodruff’s constant positive demeanor and ability to see an opportunity, Dave Griggs’ selfless commitment to the community and the success of other business owners and Dan Rothery’s impressive skills as a communicator and manager.

WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I love my job because of the team of people with whom I have the opportunity to work. Employing the right people who are passionate and driven to succeed creates an environment where change is embraced, growth is expected and trying new things is normal. That kind of environment is contagious and makes True Media the place that it is.

IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Do something in the finance world.

BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: For years the biggest obstacle was my age. I managed my first radio stations at age 20. However, time and thinning hair seem to have cured that obstacle. Today, I struggle like many other business owners in balancing the growth of our organization and the additional time it requires in management and travel with the needs of my family. Hiring hard-working, intelligent people and delegating responsibility helps.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Media and the advertising world are like the stock market. What’s good today might not be good tomorrow, trends are constantly changing, and not all outlets produce the same type of return. Knowing how to balance business and marketing goals with the media environment is a skill set that is learned over multiple years with the help of consumer insight studies and data to help predict consumer behavior. Working with experienced professionals who do this daily and have access to advanced data and analytics can greatly increase the efficiency of your marketing objectives.

WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I enjoy riding bikes, swimming and going to the gym. When we have some free time, we enjoy getting away to the Lake of the Ozarks.

FAMILY: My wife, Karin, and children: Andrew, 9, and Alle, 7.

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Parks, trails and the Columbia Country Club.

ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: The biggest accomplishment of my life and best “sales job” I ever made was convincing my wife to marry me. Raising our two children together and watching them grow will forever be the pleasure of my life.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: Really enjoy mowing my grass.