| Al Tompkins
Poynter Institute |
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Al Tompkins is The Poynter Institute’s senior faculty for broadcasting and online. For almost 10 years, thousands of people a day read his online journalism story idea column “Al’s Morning Meeting” on Poynter.org.
Tompkins is the author of the book “Aim For The Heart: A Guide for TV Producers and Reporters,” which has been adopted by more than 75 universities as their main broadcast writing textbook.
He co-authored four editions of the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation’s “Newsroom Ethics” workbook. Tompkins joined Poynter’s faculty from his job as news director at WSMV-TV in Nashville, Tenn. For 24 years, he worked as a photojournalist, reporter, producer, anchor, assistant news director, special projects/investigations director, documentary producer and news director.
Tompkins has trained thousands of television news producers, reporters, photojournalists and managers in his One-Day Storytelling Workshops in 45 states, Canada, Denmark, Iceland and South Africa. He has taught and coached print newsrooms in the U.S. and abroad how to build interactive news websites, how to use video more effectively online and how to manage ethical issues that arise online.
Awards: Tompkins was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame and in 2008 was awarded The Governor’s Award, the highest honor given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. During his two and a half decades as a journalist, Tompkins has won the National Emmy, the Peabody Award (group award), the Japan Prize, the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel for Court Reporting, seven National Headliner Awards, two Iris Awards and the Robert F. Kennedy Award.
He is a co-producer of the hour-long documentary, “Saving Stefani,” featured as a special “Dateline NBC” and was awarded the 1999 Clarion Award. The 10-year documentary project tells the story of a young girl that Tompkins and a medical team found dying in a Guatemala hospital.
Tompkins also serves as a final juror on the duPont-Columbia Awards, the Scripps Howard National Journalism Awards and is a national screener for the Investigative Reporter and Editor awards.
| Jim Mathis
Reinvention Nation, LLC |
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Jim Mathis, IPCS, CSP, Mdiv.
The Reinvention PRO™
JIM MATHIS, IPCS, CSP, JMT is a bestselling author, International Platform Certified Speaking Professional (IPCS), Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a member of the John Maxwell Team (JMT) and executive consultant. He has been writing, speaking and consulting for over 40 years internationally. Jim helps business leaders who want to reinvent their organizations in challenging economies. Some of the clients he has worked with include broadcasters, communications, health care, hospitality, travel, banking, credit unions, insurance, petroleum, construction/contracting, retail and governmental agencies. He is President of Reinvention Nation, LLC, based in Orlando, Florida and author of the best-selling book: “Reinvention Made Easy: Change Your Strategy, Change Your Results,” as well as “Reinvention 101: Bold Ideas on Reinvention.”
Workshop Seminars:
- Leadership/Management
- Reinventing Sales
- Customer/Client Service
- Strategic Planning Retreats
| Mark Levy
Revenue Development Resources, Inc. |
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Described as a dynamic “value-packed” public speaker, “fabulous sales trainer and motivator,” and resource of “thousands of tips and approaches that always pay dividends,” Mark Levy has 35+ years of experience and expertise in growing organizations’ teams, profits and impact. As President and Co-Founder of Revenue Development Resources (RDR), Mark is a widely-known and highly-respected public speaker, sales and management trainer and coach, and business development consultant.
Mark’s abilities to coach, train and entertain, have led him to present to hundreds of audiences. He has been a frequent speaker for the National Association of Broadcasters, Radio Advertising Bureau, Small Market Television Exchange, International IDEABANK, National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, Broadcast Education Association conferences, dozens of state broadcasters organizations, and internationally in Barbados, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Guatemala, South Africa and Trinidad.
In addition, Mark has spoken for the Inland Press and New York Press Associations, Independent Outdoor Owners, numerous Chambers of Commerce, CPA groups, civic groups and privately-owned companies striving to grow, as well as National Guard Battalions looking to multiply their recruitment numbers. Mark contributes to the LBS Video Training Series, has served as lead instructor for the Florida A&M NAB Education Foundation Media Sales Institute, and as guest instructor for the NABEF’s Executive Development Seminar.
Mark’s delivers “uncommon sense” content, packaged in pragmatic and proven, go-to market strategies that are foundational for every industry. He has coached thousands of individuals who have soared to top impact levels, translating into strong teams and millions of dollars in sales for organizations and companies.
Mark and his wife of 34 years, Atty. Holly Levy, co-founded and have operated RDR since 2011, and still remain happily married. They live in Dallas and have two sons and a daughter-in-law. Mark is a member of the National Speakers Association, the Camp County, TX and Grapevine, TX Chambers of Commerce and serves as a Grapevine Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. A former horse jockey and an avid percussionist, Mark has played in and recorded with a wide variety of bands for over 40 years, including the Gateway Church Worship Team. He is a collector of antique drums, Jerry Garcia ties and a “wishful” collector of large fish.
“Your presentation was rated ‘A+,’ ‘Exceptional.’” Organization President
“Mark helped us close deals that were 2 to 3 times higher investments than those clients usually commit to, or that we usually pitch! His presentations and ideas are priceless. We’re asking for more dollars, presenting proposals better, and overall ‘thinking bigger’ because of Mark.” Company Manager
“My professional coaching sessions with Mark have provided invaluable tools to help me navigate business challenges. My confidence level has increased, as well as my decisiveness. Our discussions prove that we are never too old to learn from each other and benefit from collaboration.” Company Owner
“I never had much use for consultants. And then I met Mark Levy.” Company Manager