Dunkel Designs: Jill J. Dunkel

Professional Work Experience:
Contract Editor of FEED•LOT Magazine -- Control editorial content of magazine, work closely with freelance contributors to provide up-to-date articles for publication, maintain web presence, create & distribute weekly e-newsletter, travel to represent client at national events, editorial layout of printed publication

Freelance Writing for many national accounts, including the American Quarter Horse Association (Quarter Horse Journal, America's Horse), the National Cutting Horse Association (Chatter Magazine), Morris Communications (Quarter Horse News), Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (Cattleman Magazine), market research for national firms like Pfizer Animal Health and many other state, regional and local clients.

Photography for national accounts as well as local customers, ranging from livestock and equine marketing photography to family portraits.

Graphic Design for national accounts as well as local customers, ranging from complete advertising campaigns, brochures and newsletters to custom Christmas cards and graduation invitations.

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved to write and draw. My father is a writer and photographer, so I guess I came by it naturally. I grew up outside Amarillo, Texas, and horses were a constant in my life. Beginning at the age of five, I showed horses in 4-H and AQHA competitions.

My grandparents owned a ranch in Archer County, Texas, and when I wasn't busy showing, I spent many weeks in the summer surrounded by the wide open spaces, horses and cows.

Entering college, there was little doubt in my mind what direction my career would take. As early as my freshman year at Texas A&M University, I knew I wanted to write for a living, primarily for the horse world. During my freshman year, I met my husband, who was pursuing a career in the cattle and feedyard industry. His interests broadened my horizons and what direction my writing career could take.

During my senior year at Texas A&M, I interned with The Way To Go, the publication of the National Snaffle Bit Association. There I learned about advertising and graphic design and furthered my editorial education.

Upon graduating in 1994 with a degree in Agricultural Journalism and minors in Animal Science and Ag Economics, I began writing on a freelance basis for both equine and livestock publications. Years later, I continue to write, and I have expanded my graphic design and photographic endeavors.

My husband, Doug, and I now live on my grandparent's ranch, and are raising our family in the same wide open spaces I relished as a child. We have three children, Ashton, Sidney and Blake. Everyone enjoys contributing to our ranch life, and we can often be found horseback after school. We are involved in the cattle industry from the cow/calf sector all the way through to the feedlot. We also enjoy riding and training our ranch horses to show in Ranch Horse Competitions across the country.

Each day I enjoy combining my creative talents with the equine and livestock world I live in. I feel blessed to be able to live out my dream, and get paid to do so!

Education:

Texas A&M University

B.S. in Agricultural Journalism

minor in Animal Science

Skills
Quark XPress, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Canon EOS SLR Photo Systems, Photography

Areas of Espertise
Writing/Editing, Graphic Design, Photography, Media Management, Advertising, Editorial Layout (magazine, newsletters, brochures, posters, business promotion)

Other Business Ventures:
D&S Cattle Co. — a preconditioning stocker operation owned by my husband, Doug Dunkel

Coleman Land & Cattle — our family cow/calf operation of about 100 Angus-influenced crossbred cows

Community Involvement
Archer City ISD School Board Member
4-H Leader & Volunteer