Lifetime Achievement in Business: Jane Meyer

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She's been described as a "giant" in the radio industry. |ret||ret||tab|

Jane Meyer and her husband, Ken, own KTXR, the radio station that bills itself as the "Gentle Giant of the Ozarks." |ret||ret||tab|

The Meyers invested in the fledging radio station in 1962 at the urging of their friend, the late Tom Barneby. At the time, KTXR was only the second FM station in the market and the first to broadcast in stereo. |ret||ret||tab|

In 1964, the Meyers took complete ownership of KTXR, and Jane Meyer left her job as a schoolteacher to work at the station. She wrote copy, did some bookkeeping and sold advertising.|ret||ret||tab|

"Nobody had heard of KTXR or FM radio back then, and here I was trying to sell advertising for it," she said. "It was a real challenge almost impossible."|ret||ret||tab|

Meyer ultimately succeeded, however, and she went on to serve as the station's manager. In time, the Meyers' business grew, and at one point they owned 13 radio stations and TV station KMTC, Channel 27.|ret||ret||tab|

In recent years, Meyer Communica-tions Inc. has reorganized, and today the company comprises two direct advertising publications and four radio stations KWTO, Jock 98.7, KBFL and KTXR, which has broadcast the Lady Bears and Bears basketball games for more than a decade.|ret||ret||tab|

In addition to building a successful business, Jane Meyer has given countless volunteer hours to community organizations ranging from the Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Center to the Greater Ozarks Association for Retarded Citi-zens. She served as the volunteer organist at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Springfield for more than 33 years, and she is a member of the Spring-field Rotary Club. She also sits on the board of directors of the Salvation Army.|ret||ret||tab|

Meyer's volunteer efforts haven't gone unnoticed, and over the years groups ranging from the Soroptimist Club to the Dogwood Trails Girl Scout Council have recognized her contributions. In 1999, the Board of Governors at Southwest Missouri State University voted to name the university's new carillon bell tower after Jane Meyer. |ret||ret||tab|

However, the thing that really makes Jane Meyer stand out, according to her friends and co-workers, is her attitude. |ret||ret||tab|

"I've watched Jane come back after several life-threatening illnesses," said Donna Neil, controller at Meyer Communications. "When she was gone, we all just missed her so much. She's the most positive, upbeat woman I know."[[In-content Ad]]