๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฏ: Faces of KC IABC Leadership - John Kurtz
John Kurtz โข Co-Website Coordinator
How long have you been involved with KC IABC and how did you get started?
I started coming to events in 2021 when I moved back to Kansas City and I joined the board a year-and-a-half ago. A friend of mine that I made from my time in sports media (Mike Klein) is a huge IABC advocate. He suggested that I check it out, and the rest is history!
Whatโs your day job?
I am in charge of public relations for ReeceNichols Real Estate and have been since 2021.
Whatโs the most gratifying thing about your day job?
I absolutely love the people that I work with. It is a great company from the top down. Our CEO is as down-to-earth as it gets and knows how to create a great culture, which makes me want to work harder to support what our brokerage is doing. I also love my seven teammates on the marketing team. We know how to balance having fun and getting things done.
Favorite place to be when youโre not at work?
Either playing one of my guitars in my home office, or eating Greek/Thai food at one of my favorite spots (Thai Place, Meddyโs, Hummus & Pita).
You sound pretty busy. Why/how do you make time to serve on the board?
I got a lot out of the KC IABC events I started going to during my career transition a few years ago, so I wanted to help create more of those opportunities for other people. Organizations like KC IABC are so important in an era when itโs so much more challenging to connect with people in person.
Whatโs the most important thing youโve learned from KC IABC?
That building professional relationships doesnโt have to be intimidating. The KC IABC events have always made that very easy, and Iโve met so many great people over the years.
Do you have a career path not taken?
I was a full-time sports broadcaster for ten years before transitioning to public relations in 2021, and I still do plenty of sports broadcasting work as a side hustle. Not sure if that totally counts, but itโs close!
Do you have a favorite quote?
โSmooth seas donโt make good sailors.โ
KC/IABC is a 100% volunteer-led organization. Behind the scenes, these committed board members make things happen.
