Skinny Improv founder joins Pearson-Kelly Office Products

Jeff Jenkins, founder of The Skinny Improv comedy troupe, has joined Springfield-based Pearson-Kelly Office Products as director of business development.

Jenkins started the new job May 14 after the position was vacated by George Hoffman, who was promoted to serve as sales manager for Pearson-Kelly's new Joplin office.

As director of business development, Jenkins is tasked with selling office products such as copiers, scanners and printers in the Branson, Nixa and Ozark areas and helping to market the Pearson-Kelly brand through public relations efforts.

"I've used Pearson-Kelly as a small-business owner. I've always been super impressed with how they've handled everything - customer service and the quality of it," Jenkins said of taking the position.

Jenkins, who resigned as executive director of the Gillioz Theatre in August 2010, also had been working as a comedian at Grand Country Music Hall in Branson until about a year ago.

Jenkins said he had since been looking for a daytime job to complement his work with The Skinny Improv, which he said would not be affected.

"I have an incredible staff at The Skinny Improv," Jenkins said, noting the organization's Vice President of Operations Amber Jones handles day-to-day management.

The Skinny Improv holds shows every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and every first and third Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The troupe moved to the second floor of downtown eatery Nonna's Italian American Café in October from its former location on Park Central East.

"It was a basic business decision. The building we were in was great, but it got too big for us," Jenkins said.

Currently, guests are encouraged to make reservations at Nonna's before shows, and Jenkins said the long-term plan is to offer the restaurant's food during events.