The 40 Best Things About Working at Kaufman Broadcast: 10-1

This is the final installment of why Kaufman Broadcast is an awesome place to work. Whether it's the people, the places or parking, there are plenty of reasons to love working here.  Here's our list of reasons 10 to 1 of the best things about working at Kaufman Broadcast. 10) Essential credentials: We've collected a lot of cool credentials over the years. We started covering sports in 1985, with the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals. Since then, we've executed sports transmissions across the country including the Stanley Cup, MLB All Star Game and NCAA Tournament; snagging a lot of badges in the process. [caption id="attachment_3641" align="aligncenter" width="567"] A behind the scenes glimpse of the 2011 World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers in seven games as Kaufman crew provided transmissions for all Cardinals home games.[/caption] 9) It's a family affair: Being a small company provides a close-knit family atmosphere. The proof: we have matching company jackets and took a team trip to the Super Bowl XXIV to watch the St. Louis Rams beat the Tennessee Titans. 8) The guy signing your check also does the dirty work: Our president and founder Bill Kaufman does a bit of everything. He can operate our live studios and our live trucks. He signs checks and he runs cables. Bill is a Renaissance man, who is capable of tackling the biggest and smallest tasks the broadcast industry has to offer. 7) Location, location, location: Kaufman Broadcast has the best parts of St. Louis and Kansas City at its finger tips. Entertainment is always close with the Fox Theater and the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts a stone's throw away. If you're willing to drive five minutes, Pappy's, Arthur Bryant's, Tower Grove and the World War I Museum are in play too. 6) Meet the most influential people of day: Our studios see guests from every walk of life. Athletes, politicians, journalists, doctors and business leaders are regulars. So working with prominent people is just a normal day here. 5) Find the perfect work-life balance: Kaufman Broadcast cares about its employees. So when your personal life comes calling, we understand. We want to have all our employees feeling fresh and festive about coming to work. The best example is our resident runner Karl, who takes a mid-day run every day. 4) Connections. Connections everywhere: We have connections all over the globe and we are not just talking The Switch or Vyvx circuits. Kaufman Broadcast has a network of contacts from Fortune 500 companies to ma and pa businesses, which makes finding broadcast solutions a snap. 3) Witness life changing events: It doesn't happen often, but when there is life-altering news in the region, Kaufman Broadcast covers it.  Stories such as the Joplin tornado and the unrest in Ferguson sent ripples through the global community. The former brought people together in acts of goodwill, the latter spurred protests and challenges of status quo. In both cases, Kaufman Broadcast provided satellite uplinks and live studios, giving pundits a place to discuss the events of the day. [caption id="attachment_1352" align="aligncenter" width="567"] Following the Joplin tornado in 2011, Kaufman Broadcast provided crews, uplinks and studios for pundits to discuss pertinent issues.[/caption] 2) Explore your talents and discover what you love: We are self-proclaimed dabblers. Our entrepreneurial spirit leads us to many endeavors allowing employees to explore their talents and passions. Let Kaufman Broadcast guide you to finding a role best suiting your skill set. You might even tap into talents you didn't know you had. 1) Your dreams and ambitions are ours too: Every person here has a distinct role. We utilize people's talents to streamline our workflow and maximize their impact. So when an employee comes to us with aspirations, we listen. Kaufman Broadcast wants to embrace those visions. Maybe you want to be the best youth baseball coach west of the Mississippi or you aspire to make a documentary. We are here to make those dreams reality. That's the Kaufman way.

Go To Reasons: 20-11

The 40 Best Things About Working at Kaufman Broadcast: 20-11

In case you were wondering, Kaufman Broadcast is an awesome place to work. Whether it's the people, the places or parking, there are plenty of reasons to love working here.  Here are our reasons 20 to 11 of the best things about working at Kaufman Broadcast. 20) Love of the game: Everyone at Kaufman Broadcast is here because they love what they do. Our employees are invigorated about coming to work and providing solutions where they are needed. There's a certain passion you'll see working with us whether the project is a simple one camera shoot or the Super Bowl. 19) Travel across the country: Kaufman Broadcast gets jobs from sunny San Diego to South Palm Beach and everywhere in between.   Our engineers are the real winners as they get to experience all aspects of Americana on their adventures. Mike Witzel is personally a fan of hitting up every diner, drive-in and dive in sight. [caption id="attachment_5580" align="aligncenter" width="567"] The Kaufman crew explored downtown San Diego during a break from the 2014 MLB Winter Meetings. This was the best shot they got.[/caption] 18) Tools. Tools everywhere: Kaufman Broadcast gives its engineers the resources to create any broadcast solution necessary. That's why we have enough tools at our warehouse to be mistaken for a Jersey Shore convention. Just know our engineers are more than equipped to meet clients' needs. 17) We are pioneers of the industry: Kaufman Broadcast strives to go where few others have gone before. We started utilizing fiber in the 1990s when it was far from commonplace and our engineers create one-of-a-kind solutions for our clients. They don't call Missouri the Show Me State for nothing. 16) We are people pleasers: It warms the wiring in our hearts having employees that are enthusiastic about coming in each day. This mantra is also evident in our attitude towards customer service: the customer comes first. That's why we are open 24/7/365. Yes, we will even take a live shot request at 2 a.m. We accommodate our clients and the same goes for our employees. 15) Paul the Storyteller: Paul has a lifetime worth of stories from his time at Kaufman Broadcast. Whether it's working with the President or having a gun pulled on him by Secret Service or both, Paul is sure to keep you entertained. 14) Diamonds are forever: Kaufman Broadcast works closely with the St. Louis Cardinals, in particular, overseeing transmissions for events and games at Busch Stadium. That's a relationship forged through time and results. So when the Cardinals earn hardware, Bill, deemed by his peers as "The Hardest Working Man in Broadcast" gets the same finger bling. 13) Work with people across the world: Sometimes stories demand global attention. In 2014, we worked with networks in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom to cover events following the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson. This international reach reinforces the impact the broadcast industry can have. 12) Present with the President: Yes, we are talking thee President of the United States. Kaufman Broadcast has covered numerous elections and presidential speeches and it is always an honor to work with one of the most influential people in the world. Here's the proof below: [caption id="attachment_3666" align="aligncenter" width="567"] Bill Kaufman and Kaufman Broadcast produced all of President Barack Obama's spin rooms during his first campaign in 2008.[/caption] 11) Everyone has a voice: Whether you have worked here four months (Karl) or founded the company 33 years ago (Bill), everyone at Kaufman Broadcast has a voice. It's our way of maximizing a diversity of viewpoints and providing checks and balances in all the right places.

Go To Reasons: 30-21       Go To Reasons: 10-1

The 40 Best Things About Working at Kaufman Broadcast: 30-21

Kaufman Broadcast is an awesome place to work. Whether it's the people, the places or parking, there are plenty of reasons to love Kaufman Broadcast.  To continue our list, here are reasons 30 to 21 of the best things about working at Kaufman Broadcast. 30) So much room for activities: Our studios and warehouse could house a fleet of small airplanes if needed. They are that big. Plus, our satellite uplink trucks give our engineers plenty of space to operate. 29) Twitter engagement is encouraged: Current events are the lifeblood of Kaufman Broadcast. Whether we have guests covering politics, sports or entertainment, having a finger on the pulse of popular events is a must. This means we are constantly tracking stories as the unfold on Twitter or other social media, making sure to stay at the forefront of news. 28) We've got green thumbs: We recycle. Recycling is good. You should too. 27) Know news before it breaks: Want to know what topics are in store for your favorite news program tonight? We have that insight. When networks book guests in St. Louis or Kansas City, we have the opportunity to pick their minds and get the inside scoop on topics they'll be discussing on air. [caption id="attachment_5501" align="aligncenter" width="567"] Saint Louis University law professor Susan McGraugh discusses the Michael Brown grand jury proceedings on The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell in December, 2014.[/caption] 26) Doughnuts. Doughnuts everywhere: Bill regularly brings in doughnuts as a bi-weekly piece of cheer.   So if you fancy a Boston cream or a jelly-filled fritter, there's a doughnut with your name on it here. 25) Fiber is a regular part of our diet: Fiber is an essential part of any broadcast diet. That's why Kaufman Broadcast has fiber networks sprawled across St. Louis and Kansas City. Whether it's Busch Stadium or Sprint, you can rest assure transmissions from any corner of the state will go smoothly. 24) Creativity never goes out of style: Creativity is needed for everything from our Twitter page to our engineering solutions, so outside the box thinking is always welcome. Kaufman Broadcast prides itself on being a pioneer in the industry; a reputation that comes grounded in ingenuity. 23) Tons of Christmas presents in food form: We work with some great partners and some even better gift-givers. In 2014, we received a small mountain of popcorn and enough bricks of chocolate to build a small house. Yes, it was as delicious as it sounds. 22) The Arch is our backdrop: Kaufman Broadcast headquarters are three miles away from the Gateway Arch so every ride to work includes a look at its timeless beauty. When you get lunch, there's the Arch. Go to a meeting, there's the Arch. Leave work, there's the Arch. It never gets old. Plus, the office in Kansas City gets to glimpse Penn Valley Park every day. [caption id="attachment_4816" align="aligncenter" width="567"] The Gateway Arch plays the backdrop for a friendly match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Busch Stadium in June, 2013.[/caption] 21) Look good, feel good: Company pride is always high at Kaufman Broadcast and that's reflected in our gear. There are jackets, hats, cups, cards, trucks and more, all sporting the Kaufman Broadcast logo. Hopefully you look good in blue, green or orange.

Go To Reasons: 40-31       Go To Reasons 20-11

The 40 Best Things About Working at Kaufman Broadcast: 40-31

Call us bias, but we think Kaufman Broadcast is an awesome place to work.  Whether it's the people, the places or parking, there are plenty of reasons to love Kaufman Broadcast.  Still wondering what makes us so great?  Wonder no more.  Here's our list of reasons 40 to 31 of the best things about working at Kaufman Broadcast. 40) Fast and free parking: When a company is nestled in the heart of downtown, you can expect to pay a monthly parking garage fee. Not here. Parking is free and the walk from the lot to the building is just 34 steps. Yes, we counted. 39) Six degrees of relaxation: Call it magic, but our offices are always at the perfect temperature. People wearing short sleeves will be just as comfortable as those decked out in sweaters. So yeah, it's probably magic. 38) Kaufman runs on coffee: We certainly love our coffee. A cup in the morning. A cup at lunch. A cup in the evening. It's always coffee time. To satisfy the coffee-craver in all of us, Kaufman Broadcast has multiple coffee makers to ensure only the finest brews are getting you through your day. [caption id="attachment_5566" align="aligncenter" width="567"] When you need a pick me up, nothing does it better than a cool cup of Kaufman coffee.[/caption] 37) Facial hair fiends: Whether you rock a clean cut beard (Bill) or a monstrous goatee (John) or can't grow any at all (Karl), there's a place for your face sweater at Kaufman Broadcast. There's extra respect points coming your way if you can pull off a Rollie Fingers handlebar mustache. 36) Sweet Teeth: There's a bowl of free candy in the lobby. Help yourself. 35) Take a lunch-time walk around SLU: A scenic stroll is never far away with Saint Louis University a block south of our headquarters. If you're feeling a little more ambitious, you can visit Forest Park or Washington University, which is great because WashU was just voted the 27th most beautiful college campus in the country. [caption id="attachment_5565" align="aligncenter" width="567"] The Cupples House on the Saint Louis University campus is one of many architectural attractions for students and visitors to see.[/caption] 34) Casual Fridays are welcomed: Most days are business casual, but Kaufman Broadcast embraces the idea of Casual Fridays. So slip on those new tennis shoes or your favorite pair jeans and you'll fit right in. 33) All day jam sessions: We know processing paperwork can get tedious. Feel free to pass the time with your favorite tunes, especially if your favorite tunes are Eye of the Tiger or Chariots of Fire. Just make sure to pick up the phone when it rings. 32) Paul the Foodie: When there's a big event or the technicians are working overtime, Paul recognizes that hard work. Occasionally, he gets the team some pizzas, toasted ravioli or doughnuts; whatever keeps morale high. Just don't tell his wife, Beth, because Paul is suppose to be on a diet. 31) Top-notch junior engineering program: All Kaufman employees can have their kids enrolled in the fictitious-Kaufman Broadcast junior engineering program. The program accepts top kids of all ages, ensuring the broadcast engineering future is always bright.

Go To Reasons: 30-21

Kaufman Broadcast Year in Review: 2014

An epidemic scare, broken barriers, and grand opening: these are among the top stories Kaufman Broadcast covered in 2014.  Whether it was sunny San Diego or the peninsula of Palm Beach, we spanned the country armed with uplinks, experience and a sense of adventure.  Here is a look at the Kaufman Broadcast top ten events of 2014. 10) Perfect Shockers: Even after five months, no one could beat Wichita State. The Shockers basketball team finished the regular season 31-0 and cruised through the Missouri Valley Tournament at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis en route to its first conference title in nearly three decades.  Wichita State became the first team to finish the regular season undefeated since Saint Joseph's in 2003-2004.  Two days after winning its opening game of the NCAA Tournament, the Shockers fell to eventual national runner up Kentucky, 78-76, in the third round. [caption id="attachment_5550" align="alignright" width="224"] Crews make last minute preparations to the field before the start of the NLDS[/caption] 9) STL Opens BPV: As if Cardinals game weren't entertaining enough, opening St. Louis Ballpark Village put the experience over the top.  BPV has shops, restaurants, a beer garden and the Cardinals Hall of Fame.  The hotspot hosts playoff viewing parties. It puts on concerts.  And when it came time to unveil thisentertainment epicenter, Kaufman Broadcast was there to produce a live webcast of the opening.  Now a must visit destination for tourists and fans alike, St. Louis is the real winner. 8) Red October: The 2014 NLDS was a tale of two cities.  Hollywood versus the Hill.  Beaches versus Basilica.  MVP versus Yadi's GG.  Despite being underdogs, the Cardinals dispatched the NL West champion Dodgers in four games.  The Cardinals chased MVP and Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw in Games 1 and 4 with seventh inning rallies, winning each by one run. Cardinal's Matt Carpenter was a one man wrecking crew on offense, hitting three home runs, driving in seven and batting .375.  The series victory clinched the Cardinals fourth consecutive NLCS appearance. [caption id="attachment_5547" align="alignleft" width="364"] A flyover at Target Field in Minneapolis before the start of the 2014 All Star Game.[/caption] 7) Seeing Stars: The 85th edition of the MLB All Star Game was hosted in Minneapolis, making the event a homecoming of sorts for our own Mike Witzel. A Minnesota native, Witzel provided satellite transmission, bringing game coverage from the ballpark to televisions everywhere. The game featured Derek Jeter's final All Star appearance as he and the American League defeated the National League 5-3, clinching AL home field advantage for the World Series. 6) It's A Family Affair: This autumn was one for the ages.  Not only were sporting and social events hand-in-hand in national news, but there was union of a different kind.    Niels Black and Madeline Kaufman got married.  Our favorite mechanical engineer and Bill Kaufman's daughter tied the knot on October 12 in scenic Forest Park.  Niels and Madeline met while both were attending Northwestern University.  The two found common ground in their passions for technology, science fiction, cooking and they've since been inseparable. 5) Ebola Scare: One of the biggest stories of 2014 centered on 10 reported cases of the Ebola virus in the United States.  The virus claimed two lives as public health concerns reverberated across television and social media.  SLU professor and health affairs authority Dr. Alexander Garza was one of Kaufman studios' most frequent guests; coming in as many as four times a day to discuss the topic on network news broadcasts.  Even though the scare last only a couple weeks, the story made an impression as Ebola would go on to be the most third most searched item on Google for 2014. [caption id="attachment_5545" align="alignright" width="332"] The one and only, Savannah Lynn Witzel[/caption] 4) Kaufman Kid: Parenthood gained another couple in 2014.  Mike and Holly Witzel welcomed their first child Savannah Lynn Witzel to the world on June 3.  Weighing in at 5 pounds, 10.8 ounces, Savannah is the youngest member of Kaufman's junior engineering program. 3) I Am Sam: Defensive end Michael Sam made history in May, becoming the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL. The former Missouri All-American was selected in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams.  The Rams cut Sam in August to reach the league-mandated 53 player roster limit.  While Sam is currently a free agent, his impact has gone far from unnoticed. Sam won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2014 ESPY Awards.  He also was named one of GQ's Men of the Year and was a finalist for Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. 2) Kings of Kansas City: Royals fans waited nearly three decades for another playoff appearance and when they got the chance, boy did they make it count.  The Royals had not made the postseason since 1985 when they beat the Cardinals in the World Series, a series that also marked Kaufman Broadcast's first sports uplink.  In 2014, the Royals clinched a berth, beat the Oakland A's in the wild card game and then proceeded to rip off seven consecutive wins en route to the World Series.  With the Kaufman team on site for NBC Sports Group, fans watched as the Royals took the San Francisco Giants to seven games, falling 3-2 in the final contest. 1) Ferguson Unrest: One of the largest stories in St. Louis history and our top pick for 2014 is the Michael Brown shooting and subsequent unrest that galvanized the nation.  Countless demonstrations and protests were held across the country in response to Brown's death.  While many were peaceful, some protestors became unruly and several St. Louis businesses were looted or vandalized.  The events brought local, nation and international media coverage, channeling politicians and pundits alike to Kaufman studios in St. Louis and Kansas City over the course of several months.  Coverage was so intense that up to five Kaufman studios were operating simultaneously during primetime.  The indelible impact the of the events in Ferguson and global reach is what makes it our biggest event covered this year. Honorable Mentions: Karl and John Hired, MLB Winter Meetings, New Phones System, Wichita State Perfection, World Cup Games