LAWRENCE J. KLAAS

Since founding AGCOM International in 1991, Northern California News and Due South News (AGCOM subsidiaries), Larry has traveled the globe producing public awareness documentaries, news specials, multi-media marketing initiatives, and educational videos for clients including The Weather Channel, Trimble Navigation, Ltd., the World Bank, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). With nearly three decades experience in radio, television and print journalism as a reporter, managing editor and news anchor, Larry also conducts media relations training seminars for firms such as Southwest Airlines.

Larry received a BS degree in Radio-Television-Film production from the University of Texas in 1969. His undergraduate years included study at Loyola University in New Orleans, and Laval University in Quebec, Canada. After graduation, Larry joined the U.S. Air Force and was a Distinguished Graduate from both Officer Training School, and Air Force Flight Training. During his tour of duty he flew transport missions worldwide, combat sorties in Vietnam, and typhoon reconnaisance in the Pacific theatre. Following his honorable discharge Larry returned to the University of Texas to pursue a graduate degree in Journalism. After grad school, Larry went back to work in broadcast journalism as a reporter and morning news anchor at the NBC affiliate in Richmond, Virginia. The following year, as a reporter and prime-time anchorman at the NBC television affiliate in Miami, Florida, he received the Associated Press award for "Best Spot News Coverage in Florida." Larry later moved to Miami's independent television station as managing editor and anchor of South Florida's only hour-long, prime-time newscast. Heading west in the early 80's as managing editor and anchor at the ABC affiliate in Tucson, Arizona, Larry was honored in 1983 and 1984 with the Associated Press award for "Best Television Newscast" in Arizona.

Larry joined the faculty at the University of Arizona in 1984, as head of the Agricultural Communications unit in the College of Agriculture. He supervised the unit's professional faculty and staff, coordinated public relations-public awareness initiatives, and produced a variety of agricultural videos. Larry's 1990 production "A Feast Amid Famine: The World Food Paradox," was broadcast on both PBS and The Discovery Channel. It was the first in a series of internationally televised documentaries to receive the coveted Gold Award from the Society of Agricultural Communicators in Education. A recent assignment took him to Afghanistan filming and producing a documentary for the United States Agency for International Development on agricultural reconstruction in the war-torn nation.

Larry's personal passions include sailing his restored wooden sloop Spindrift in the Gulf of Mexico and Carribbean. He holds a US Coast Guard Master's license for commercial vessels up to 100 tons, and teaches sailing and navigation in his spare time. He is also a commercial, multi-engine pilot with instrument rating and 5,000 hours of civilian and military flight experience. In addition to English, he speaks Spanish and French.