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James F. Muench Background
A former director of communications for the Missouri Department of Economic Development, James F. Muench launched Far West Enterprises, a writing, editing and public relations consulting firm, in 2001, but he had been writing as a free-lancer since the 1980s. Offering clients over 20 years of experience, Muench has written extensively for local, regional and national publications.
In 2006, the University of Missouri Press published his non-fiction work, Five Stars: Missouri's Most Famous Generals. His first novel, The Teutonic Cross, was published in 2013 by Silver Tongue Press of Milwaukee, Wisc. Another history book, The Historic 1830s German Immigration to Missouri, coauthored by three historians, was published in 2016. Muench teaches English at Battle High School in Columbia, Mo. In recent years, he substituted in the Columbia Public Schools and taught English and Speech/Debate at North Callaway High School. Before that, he taught English and journalism at Lincoln University, journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Public Relations and Strategic Writing at Stephens College, Developmental English at Columbia College (online), and English Composition at Westminster College. Muench holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a bachelor’s degree in English from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. He later achieved state certification to teach English and Social Studies via the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. He began his career in 1988 at the University of Missouri-Columbia, holding writing and editorial posts in the Instructional Materials Laboratory, Computing Services and the News Bureau, where he served as MU’s science writer. In 1994, he joined Westminster College as its Director of Media Relations and Publications. Two years later, he helped plan and successfully showcase the college during its historic 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” address. In 1996, he joined the State of Missouri as Public Information Coordinator for the Division of Energy, part of the Department of Natural Resources. Three years later, he received a promotion to Director of Communications for the Department of Economic Development (DED), where he directed the department’s marketing and public relations efforts. Throughout his career, Muench has written for newspapers, magazines and business publications. His byline has appeared in such periodicals as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Columbia Daily Tribune, the Columbia Business Times, Inside Columbia, Columbia Home and Lifestyle, Jefferson City Magazine and Sports Illustrated for Kids. He also has experience in radio as a voice talent. Muench and his wife, Fran, have been married for 35 years and have two adult children, Nolan and April. Far West Enterprises 573-864-0484 (Phone) 573-499-0618 (Fax) 2711 Mallard Court Columbia, MO 65201 |
