The power of stories. I watched this minstrel captivate an audience – young and old – in a bazaar in China’s far western region of Xinjiang – one of the many places I covered as a journalist.

Journalism

My two-decade career in the news business began with small newspapers in the central state of Missouri and took me to New York and eventually to Asia. I interviewed world leaders in Helsinki. Risked suicide bombers in the streets of Jerusalem. Covered the Olympics in Beijing. Directed reportage of the tsunami disaster in Indonesia. Wrote about the war on terror in Pakistan. And reported on way too many floods, typhoons, earthquakes and plane crashes in Greater China.

What an honor it was to work for The Associated Press – the backbone of the global news network. The AP files 2,000+ stories daily from 250 locations. More than half of the world’s population sees AP journalism each day.

The Associated Press

Interviewing a Pakistani military spokesman while covering the 2005 Kashmir earthquake – one of my many special assignments with the AP.

Career Summary

My AP career began in Kansas City, where I covered the Oklahoma City bombing and Sen. Bob Dole’s presidential campaign. I was promoted to the International Desk in New York and worked as a supervisory editor for two years before being posted to Greater China as a bureau chief. I spent a decade covering the rise of China – arguably the most important story of our time. The company frequently sent me on special assignments to Korea, Indonesia, Australia, Israel, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Turnaround Specialist

Revamped the Hong Kong bureau, hiring aggressive reporters, award-winning photographers and innovative technical staff.

Transformed the Taipei bureau — one of Asia’s worst performers — into a market leader as measured by the frequency customers publish bureau stories.

Innovation

Opened the only Western news bureau in Guangzhou, the capital of China’s most successful industrial base – known as the “factory floor of the world.” Developed an expertise in manufacturing, labor and industrial policy.

Reputation

My stories were regularly published in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times, among scores of other top-tier media outlets.