Jim McCarty
jmccarty@ruralmissouri.coop
Editor
Jim McCarty joined Rural Missouri in 1985. A University of Missouri School of Journalism graduate, he has been honored by the Cooperative Communicators Association as “Writer of the Year” in 1994 and has received that organization’s coveted Michael Graznak young communicator award. Jim has led the Rural Missouri staff to national recognition four times as the recipient of George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
Megan Backes
mbackes@ruralmissouri.coop
Creative Director
Megan Backes joined the Rural Missouri team in 2010. Originally from Pilot Grove, Megan received a degree of fine arts in graphic design from the University of Central Missouri. Megan is responsible for much of the magazine’s design and layout each month and assists with other aspects of the publication. She also helps fulfill orders from the Rural Missouri merchandise store.
Heather Berry
hberry@ruralmissouri.coop
Associate Editor
Heather Berry left Gov. John Ashcroft’s press staff to join Rural Missouri in 1989. In addition to regular features, Heather produces our Hearth and Home page and is the alter-ego of Buddy Bear, Rural Missouri’s Just 4 Kids mascot.
Mary Davis
mdavis@ruralmissouri.coop
Production Manager
Mary Davis joined Rural Missouri in 1990 after working for the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Mary is the liason with our printer, handles postal issues and oversees the budgeting process for Rural Missouri. She is responsible for all of the display advertising in Rural Missouri and also assists the entire staff with graphics.
Angie Jones-Wheeler
ajones@amec.org
Design and Print Services Coordinator
Angie Jones-Wheeler designs the cooperative local pages that appear inside Rural Missouri magazine. Originally from Eldon, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Drury University and joined the staff in 2007. She is also a designer for the AMEC printshop.
Paul Newton
pnewton@ruralmissouri.coop
Managing Editor
Paul Newton joined the staff in 2013. Originally from Galena, Ill., Paul received a degree a photojournalism from Western Kentucky University. Prior to Rural Missouri, Paul worked at The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale, Ill., from 2007-2013, as a staff photographer and later as the director of visuals.
Zach Smith
zsmith@ruralmissouri.coop
Field Editor
Zach Smith joined Rural Missouri in 2016. Originally from West Plains, Zach received a degree in film production from Webster University and a master’s in journalism from the University of Missouri. He has been honored by the Cooperative Communicators Association as “Writer of the Year” in 2018 and 2022, and also handles freelance submissions.