An accomplished writer and journalist, Jane L. Beathard first earned a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Dominican University before obtaining her Master of Arts in journalism from the Ohio State University in 1986. From there, she worked as a public information officer for the Ohio Department of Health for four years, followed by eight years as a public information officer and media relations manager with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Subsequently working as a reporter for The Madison Press in London, Ohio, for nine years, she went on to transition into freelance writing, first contributing stories to Salt Lifestyle Magazine before becoming affiliated with Ohio Outdoor News in 2008.
Entering semi-retirement in 2013, Ms. Beathard continues to contribute articles on outdoor writing and law enforcement to Ohio Outdoor News in a limited capacity. Learning early on to never discount anything as a good story, she attributes much of her success to her interest in writing about people, her stellar education at Ohio State and her natural instinct for journalism. In order to keep abreast of developments in her field, Ms. Beathard holds membership in the Ohio and Las Vegas chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists and is also a member of the Ohio State University Alumni Association.
Ms. Beathard has accomplished much over the course of her career and has meet a wide variety of people, from presidents to serial killers. For her outdoor writing and contributions to conservation, she was presented with the Cardinal Award by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, a moment she cites as the highlight of her career and her greatest professional achievement. Hoping to leave a legacy as someone who always approached the stories she wrote in a fair and honest way, Ms. Beathard would advise young and aspiring professionals that they may not make a lot of money, but they will have interesting lives.
