Brian Gongol
contact information is available at www.gongol.com/contact
Education
- University of Northern Iowa - B.A. Economics (General Economics)
- Cedar Falls, Iowa | graduated May 2001
- College of Business Administration | major G.P.A. 3.54, overall G.P.A. 3.88 (Summa Cum Laude)
- University of Northern Iowa - B.A. Communications (Electronic Media) with minor in Business Administration
- Cedar Falls, Iowa | graduated May 2001
- College of Humanities and Fine Arts | major G.P.A. 3.93, minor G.P.A. 4.00, overall G.P.A. 3.88
(Summa Cum Laude)
- Purple and Old Gold Award
- Valley High School
- West Des Moines, Iowa | graduated May 1997 with honors
Employment
- Outside Sales Engineer and Vice President - D.J. Gongol & Associates, Inc.
- April 2002 to present
- Owner - The Northern Republic Co.
- December 2005 to present
- Design and maintenance of websites and Internet services
- Talk-Show Host - WHO-AM
- September 2003 to present
- Host, "Brian Gongol Show" - September 2003 to present
- Co-host, "WHO Radio Wise Guys" - October 2004 to present
- Substitute host, "Deace in the Afternoon" - July 2006 to present
- Named Des Moines' "Best Radio Personality" by readers of Cityview - February 2007
- Marketing Consultant - Clear Channel Communications, KKDM-FM, Iowa Radio Network
- May 2001 to March 2002
- Negotiates contracts for radio and outdoor advertising
- Maintains business-to-business relationships
- Creates and implements marketing plans for consumer products and services
- Communications Operations Intern, Business Development Assistant - Cedar Falls Utilities
- February 2000 to May 2001
- Conducts financial analyses of ventures by municipally-owned broadband telecommunications utility
- Performs feasibility research and prepares reports for Board of Trustees and FCC
- Assisted manager in composition of business and marketing plans
- Speaker of the Senate - Northern Iowa Student Government
- May 1998 to April 2001
- Acts as public representative of the Senate and maintains NISG website
- Prepares agenda and conducts weekly meetings of the Senate
- Interviews and appoints Senators to fill vacancies
- Hires and supervises Recording Secretary
- News Anchor, General-Assignment Reporter, and Technical Director - WHO-AM, Iowa Radio Network
- June 1997 to May 2001
- Contributed to ABC Radio News and UPI
- Assistant Webmaster, www.whoradio.com
Publications
- "Ten Big Answers You Won't Get from a Politician"
- Paperback (103 pages) | published December 2005
- "Ten Big Answers for Iowa's Future"
- Paperback | publication scheduled for March 2007
- www.gongol.com
- Various essays and articles
Presentations
- "Ten Big Answers for Iowa's Future"
- VSR Financial Services Regional Meeting | West Des Moines, Iowa | December 2006
- Des Moines Host Lions Club | Des Moines, Iowa | February 2007
Academic Awards
- U.S. Presidential Scholar
- 1997
- U.S. Department of Education and White House Commission on Presidential Scholars
- Presidential Scholarship
- 1997
- University of Northern Iowa
- Full undergraduate tuition, room, and board
- Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction
- 1997
- National Merit Finalist
- 1997
- Purple and Old Gold Award
- 2001
- University of Northern Iowa
Civic and Industry Awards
- Eagle Scout Award
- 1994
- Student Excellence
- 1998
- Iowa Associated Press Association
- General Reporting (2nd Place)
- 1999
- Iowa Associated Press Association
Other Activities, Clubs, and Memberships
- Beta Gamma Sigma
- Inducted April 1999 (lifetime member)
- Business honorary
- Omicron Delta Kappa
- Inducted April 1999 (lifetime member)
- Leadership honorary
- UNI President | April 2000 to April 2001
- UNI Tae Kwon-Do Club
- September 2000 to present
- 1st Dan (black belt) earned June 8, 2002
- 2nd Dan (black belt) earned December 4, 2004
- Bull Moose Club
- April 2005 to present
- St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish
- Parish pastoral council member | December 2004 to present
- American Water Works Association
- November 2006 to present
- Public Information Committee | December 2007 to present
- Golden Key National Honor Society
- April 1999 to May 2001
- Service and leadership honorary
- UNI Economics Club
- September 1999 to May 2001
- Phi Beta Lambda
- September 2000 to May 2001
- Business leadership organization
Major Media Citations
- "Big Business in Blogging Economists", Los Angeles Times, November 2006
- Also carried in Canton (OH) Repository, December 7, 2006
- Also carried in Austin American-Statesman, December 10, 2006