Who is Pierce Presley anyway?

Last Updated on Sunday, April 18 2010 18:42 Written by Pierce Presley Sunday, April 18 2010 18:17

Your humble curator and guide

What's to say? I am one of those idealistic fools who thinks journalism, at its base the amassing, analyzing and presentation of information, is not only a noble cause and profession, but that it is my vocation, my calling.

I was not, however, one of those people who knew from the birth of rational thought (or high school) what I wanted to be. I knew what I was expected to be; when I was in school, people with good math skills were encouraged, no, almost coerced to enter the engineering field. And I tried that route, but after a year in college I left behind a full-ride scholarship (that I'd likely lost anyway, though I could've appealed) and eventually wound up in the Marines.

There wasn't the necessity of much thought about what I was going to do while I was a Marine—it was almost entirely decided for me (though I had some input), and there weren't many ways to get out early that weren't dishonorable. Five years passed, and I was nearing the end of my service, when it occurred to me that I should probably give some thought to what I wanted to be. I did, and I came up with creativity, storytelling, researching and writing.

But journalism still wasn't my choice; I wanted to be a screenwriter. I went to Loyola University New Orleans based on size, location, philosophy and the presence of a renowned professor who taught screenwriting. (He was on sabbatical and actually left before I even met him.)

I filled out the obligatory interest card during orientation, mostly because I was very used to filling out any form handed to me. A few weeks later, an editor called and asked if I'd like to cover a story. Living alone with only a cat for company, and with not much else to do, I said "yes". It was about the campuses' new computer network. Oh, seeing my byline was exhilarating, and I was good and hooked. In a month, I was on the front page and a staff writer. By the time I left 3 1/2 years later, I had been a writer, photographer, analyst, editorialist, sports, editorial and feature columnist, assistant sports editor, online editor (before we had a Web page), photo editor, news editor, managing editor and business manager.

I went on to work for the Benton County Daily Record, the Associated Press, Arkansas Educational Television Network, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Prince George's County Public Schools, the GSA, an education-focused beltway bandit, a special operations-focused beltway bandit, the temporary employers association and the educational assessment arm of a conglomerate.

I have a wife and two kids, plus two dogs, two cats, five fish and a hamster. I live in San Antonio with that zoo, and am happier for it.

I sincerely hope you enjoy Journalism Fast Forward, that you learn something and that it exceeds your expectations.

— Pierce