YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

Ozarks Profile

Posted online

Director of TV production & corporate communication, Ozarks Public Television, 821 N. Washington, Springfield. Ozarks Public Television serves 57 counties with the potential of reaching approximately 1.8 million people in the area. "We reach into Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Ozarks Public Television is a non-commercial, educational and entertainment institution dedicated to enriching the lives of area people through telecommunications and other related services," Schiedel said. Ozarks Public Television has been serving the Ozarks region for more than 23 years. Schiedel began with the station three years ago when he moved to Springfield from Vermillion, S.D. Schiedel is affiliated with the Writers Hall of Fame, secretary; Boy Scouts of America, sustaining member and former board member; National Educational Telecommunications Association, on production and communication councils.

Age: 40.

No. of years in Springfield/area: 3 years.

Education: GED, bachelor of science in mass communications, University of South Dakota; master of arts in communications, University of South Dakota.

Early career: His very first job was throwing newspapers. "Being a paperboy taught me to become self-motivated and rely on myself to get a job done. I always hated getting up at 4:30 in the morning on Sundays, especially during the cold winter months in southeastern South Dakota," Schiedel said. He worked at a variety of places and in a variety of jobs as a young man: garden nursery worker, grocery boy, dishwasher, cook, welder, forklift operator, truck driver, feed salesman, construction worker, cement finisher. He began working as a production assistant for the South Dakota Public Broadcasting Network in Vermillion, S.D., in 1986. He did everything from "lugging around a video record deck to running sound during remote video shoots in the field," Schiedel said. Every year he moved into a new position; after production assistant he was a videographer/editor, then a director and finally a producer. When he became production manager, Schiedel learned not only about managing resources, but managing personnel from creative individuals to technical people. He then became the director of TV production with South Dakota Public TV and became the executive producer for all network productions. "The impact of each of these positions has given me a broader sense of how a public broadcasting organization functions and how people work together to provide a service that people expect and depend on," Schiedel said. In his current position at Ozarks Public Television, Schiedel takes care of all local productions and oversees promotions and public relations. He also works as the station's government liaison, working closely with President and General Manager Sarah White to keep the members' best interests at the forefront with local, state and federal representatives.

Current projects: Is working on "Ozarks Voices: The Story of Springfield." This project originated from a group of people in the community who generated enough interest and participation from others to bring the concept to fruition. David Harrison, various interviewers and Schiedel have videotaped more than 35 individuals in the Springfield area who have grown up here and who tell stories that parallel the growth of Springfield. The first one-hour documentary is due out in early 1999. He is also working on "Ozarks Celebrity Recipes," which was taped at the Grand Palace Aug. 28. Sept. 24 Ozarks Public Television will present "The Farmer's Challenge," looking at the challenges facing today's farming families.

Management philosophy: "I believe that if you have the right people in the right places and the right attitudes, then managing personnel and resources makes life much easier," Schiedel said.

Spare-time pursuits: He loves the water. "Growing up next to the Missouri River and jumping off bridges used to be the biggest blast," Schiedel said. He spends his spare time swimming at the pool, walking with his wife and their dog, playing frisbee with his son, watching movies with his daughter, reading trade magazines and working.

Family data: He and wife Sharon have a daughter, 13, and a son, 12.

[[In-content Ad]]

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
Nixa High School launches apprenticeship program

Local officials aim to involve more businesses for job training.

Most Read
SBJ.net Poll
Has your business made any changes in response to shifting federal government priorities?

*

View results

Update cookies preferences