Rural Missouri Staff

Meet the Rural Missouri Staff
	Editor Jim McCarty joined Rural Missouri in 1985. A University of Missouri School of Journalism graduate, he has been honored by the Cooperative Communicators Association as "Writer of the Year" in 1994 and has received that organization's coveted Michael Graznak young communicator award. Twice, Jim has led the Rural Missouri staff to national recognition as the recipient of George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
	Associate Editor Heather Berry left Gov. John Ashcroft's press staff to join Rural Missouri in 1989. In addition to regular features, Heather produces our Hearth and Home page and is the alter-ego of Buddy Bear, Rural Missouri's Just 4 Kids mascot. Heather also handles freelance submissions.
	Managing Editor Paul Newton joined the staff in 2013. Originally from Galena, Ill., Paul received a degree a photojournalism from Western Kentucky University. Prior to Rural Missouri, Paul worked at The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale, Ill., from 2007-2013, as a staff photographer and later as the director of visuals.
	Field Editor Zach Smith joined Rural Missouri in 2016. Originally from West Plains, Zach received a degree in film production from Webster University and a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri. He previously worked as a staff writer for the West Plains Daily Quill and a reporter and researcher for the Springfield Business Journal.
	Production Manager Mary Davis joined Rural Missouri in 1990 after working for the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Mary is the liason with our printer, handles postal issues and oversees the budgeting process for Rural Missouri. She is responsible for all of the display advertising in Rural Missouri and also assists the entire staff with graphics.
	Creative Director Megan Backes joined the Rural Missouri team in 2010. Originally from Pilot Grove, Megan received a degree of fine arts in graphic design from the University of Central Missouri. Megan handles our design, subscriptions and assists the staff with page layouts and graphics. She also is the friendly voice on the phone you get when you call our office.
	Graphic arts specialist Angie Jones-Wheeler designs the cooperative local pages that appear inside Rural Missouri magazine. Originally from Eldon, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Drury University and joined the staff in 2007. She is also a designer for the AMEC printshop.
	Dusty Weter joined the staff in 2009 as a graphic arts specialist in charge of designing the cooperative local pages. Originally from Ashland, he is a graduate of the Art Program at Columbia College. He also assists with graphic design for the AMEC printshop along with numerous other duties.

	Rural Missouri 2722 E. McCarty Street P.O. Box 1645 • Jefferson City, Mo. 65102 573-659-3423

Meet the Rural Missouri Staff