About the Author: John Prescott
The writer:
John Prescott’s background includes two decades in television news, working every position from intern, reporter and photographer to assignment editor, executive producer and news director.
He moved to corporate communications at Union Pacific Railroad working a wide range of projects, including an overseas assignment covering Union Pacific’s assistance to Poland’s State Railway as it adapted to a market economy and the railroad’s 1996 and 2002 Olympic Torch Relay trains.
Moving on to become the first civilian speechwriter on the Commander’s staff at United States Strategic Command, Prescott worked with military professionals from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines to support speaking engagements for the Commander and Deputy Commander crafting language for major policy speeches and key command messages as well as video scripts and professional articles for military publications – including two for Joint Force Quarterly.
Before starting his own communication consulting business, Prescott worked as Senior Media Advisor for the Global Innovation and Strategy Center, United States Strategic Command.
Prescott’s work has earned two Silver Quill Awards from the International Association of Business Communicators and Gold and Silver Reel Awards from the International Television Association.
In recent years Prescott has served as head writer for the Omaha Press Club’s annual Gridiron Show, spoofing politicians and earning money for a foundation annually presenting $30,000 in scholarships to journalism students at three universities.
The illustrator:
Tom Kerr has gained an international reputation as an illustrator and cartoonist. His work has appeared in locations as diverse as Moscow, Papua New Guinea, Melbourne (Australia) and Manhattan.
His early career was spent in Australia as a cartoonist, caricaturist and designer for the Melbourne Sun. Since returning to the United States, he has worked as a newspaper designer, editorial cartoonist, illustrator and now, as a full-time freelancer. Kerr’s most high profile freelance client is the National Crime Prevention Council whose main character, McGruff the Crime Dog, is a cultural icon.
Print media clients include The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Philadelphia Enquirer, Detroit Free Press, Asbury Park Press, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, Australian Women’s Weekly, Cricket, Cobblestone, Spider and World Tennis magazines.
His book publishing credits include recent titles “You’re Not Getting Better, You’re Getting Older", “A Dad’s Guide to Babies", “Welcome to Dinsmore the World’s Greatest Store", and “Congratulations, It’s a Dog". He has illustrated over 35 books to date for a variety of publishers including Barrons Educational Series, Andrews & McMeel, Stark Books, and Becker&Mayer!, Ltd.
Kerr’s work has earned honors from the Society for Newspaper Design, Print Magazine, The New Jersey Press Association and the National Cartoonists Society.
This compendium is a highly opinionated, occasionally bogus representation of the most egregious modern examples of both common irritating folks and the rich and powerful who demean others while enriching themselves. It also includes real villains.