- Current job title and place of employment:
Senior Television Producer, PGA TOUR Productions
- Briefly, what is it that you do?
Produce, write and direct network and cable television programming that promote the PGA TOUR, its players,
tournaments and sponsors.
- What, if any, obstacles did you face trying to get your first job in this field?
I actually wanted to become a sportscaster but I knew I didn't have the knowledge or the practical experience.
After graduation in 1983, I went and got my Masters degree in Radio and TV from the Newhouse School of Public
Communications at Syracuse University. There I learned quickly that I couldn't hold a candle to the talents
of some of the other students like Mike Tirico and decided I was better served behind the camera rather than
in front of it. I got my first job in 1985 as a Production Assistant with Major League Baseball Productions
in NYC. I've been with the PGA TOUR for the past 17 years.
- What advice would you give to students interested in working in your field?
Get as much "real world" experience as you can. Write for the school or local newspaper, work as an intern
at a TV station, and, in the process, make connections with people in the industry who may help shape your
future and your career.
- What are some of the activities you were involved in while at SLU?
3-year letterman on the SLU baseball team (All-ICAC shortstop in 1983); Sports writer for the Hill News in 1981
and Sports Editor in 1982; various intramural sports activities with the Sigma Chi fraternity; "House Boy"
for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority in 1983 setting the table and cleaning dishes.
- How can students best prepare themselves while at SLU?
Get the most out of your liberal arts education by broadening your mind in as many different fields as possible.
I developed my own "communications" major by combining English, Government and Sociology in a university
approved Multi-Field Major. Then narrow your career interests through outside activities, volunteer work, and
internships. Get practical experience and make connections.
- In retrospect, is there anything you would have done differently with regard to your
career?
I have no regrets. I've had two jobs with two of the best sports organizations in the country.
I was very lucky. I was in the right place at the right time. If I had done anything differently I may not be where
I am now.
- What are your future plans?
No future plans other than to continue to do what I love doing and that's combine my passion for television and
golf in the Florida sunshine. A far cry from the days of 8 am classes in winter at SLU.
- Are you willing to talk with students interested in a career in your field? If so, how may
they best contact you?
E-mail works the best.
Rick Persons
Senior Producer
PGA TOUR Productions
21 World Golf Place
St. Augustine, FL 32092
(904) 940-7000
persons@pgatourhq.com
Additional Alumni Profiles:
John Marino, '83 : Vice President for Marketing, Actelion Pharmaceuticals, South San Francisco, CA
Dawn Montanye, '89 : Manager of Conservation Economics, World Wildlife Fund Northern Great Plains Program, Bozeman, Montana
Amanda Valenta '04 : Senior Audit Associate, McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
Moira Collins '84 : Senior Vice President, Product Development, Gartner, Inc.
Bruce E. Seely '75: Professor History and Department Chair, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University
Mark Tavern '94: Director, A&R Administration at the
RCA Music Group, a unit of SONY BMG Music Entertainment and home of the J, Arista and RCA record labels.
Anthony (Tony) Ross '75, M'78: Vice President for Student
Affairs California State University, Los Angeles
George Ashline '89: Associate Professor of Mathematics, Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT
Alissa Bibb '03, Program Officer: American Councils for International Education
Rick Persons, '83, Senior Television Producer, PGA TOUR Productions
Ronald T. Burkman, M.D., '65 Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ken
Dowling ‘84, Executive Vice President, Grey Worldwide
Advertising
David Dusek ’93, Senior Managing Editor
of golfonline.com
Noelle Laing ‘03, Senior Consulting Associate
at Cambridge Associates
Dan Lee 05', Investment Banking Analyst, Cochran,
Caronia & Co.
Armand A. Rapetti ’73, President, CEO:
JBS & Associates, Lakeland, FL
Ken Polk & '91, Major Accounts District
Manager: Automatic Data Processing, Williamsville, NY
Wendy Davidson Freihammer & #8217;94,
Financial Advisor: American Express Financial Advisors, Cambridge, MA
Mayela C. (Calabria) Harris '87, Family
Therapist (Social Worker): Hospice of Wake County, Raleigh, NC
Peter J. Dalton '94, Affiliate Support
Manager: Habitat for Humanity International
