We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jack Maher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jack below.
Jack, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with inspirations and heroes. Are there any historical figures you look up to?
I have to point to the man who is the focus of my first book, “Poppy: A Novel About A Colorful Colorado Life.” Author, curator, renowned world authority on Native American Art, Eric Douglas was a museologist for the ages. Known as “Poppy” by his family, he revolutionized display methods at The Denver Art Museum, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Indian Court at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition and many others.
Widely known and respected among Hopi, Navajo, Cheyenne and other Native American artists, he rode horseback with his father in the early 20th century to get to know the land and people of the Great Southwest. He pioneered the Denver Art Museum’s popular “Indian Style Shows” where live models presented authentic Native textiles. He was a tireless champion of Native creators in both traditional and new works. This historic novel tracks his colorful life which included commanding 110 nurses in New Hebrides during World War II. His mission in life was to bridge Native and non-Native worlds by tapping into human curiosity. Something he said on his death bed probably sums it up best. “Never stop learning.” This man also happened to be my grandfather.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
This is probably way too much than you wanted, but here goes.
I am a proud fifth generation Colorado native. A graduate of New Mexico State University, I’ve put together a career as a writer, multimedia journalist and broadcast news executive that spans more than 50 years. I credit my NMSU roots for what I’ve been able to do. As an Aggie, I put in time at KRWG-AM (later KNMS and KRUX) as announcer, reporter, news director and station manager. I also kept my newspaper side alive by contributing to the Round-Up as a government reporter and humor columnist. With my NMSU experience as a springboard, I worked as a reporter and anchor for Las Cruces media outlets KGRT-AM/FM and Cablevision Channel 6. I was also a stringer for UPI.
The anchor/reporter work continued at El Paso’s KVIA-TV (ABC) where I was promoted to weekend news director, followed by similar responsibilities at Beaumont’s KBMT-TV (ABC). I returned to my hometown of Denver after being tapped to create and produce Denver’s first full-fledged morning news program at KBTV-TV (ABC), later renamed KUSA-TV (ABC/NBC). The show’s top rated success caused it to expand along with my responsibilities. I was promoted to Executive Producer of 9NEWS and helped oversee a 200 person operation that filled close to 10 hours of news programming per day as part of a duopoly with station KTVD (My 20). I also co-managed the station’s digital efforts.
I earned four Emmy awards and multiple honors from the Associated Press and Colorado Broadcaster Association. I spent nearly 34 years at the station, helping EP, line produce, announce or report. A personal coverage highlight was the 1993 World Youth Day visit to Denver by Pope John Paul II.
After retiring from 9NEWS, I started a seven-year chapter as a multimedia journalist with Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado’s second largest school system. I created a YouTube Channel for the district, filling it with hundreds of stories about students, teachers and programs. My Jeffco work resulted in two Emmy nominations and multiple awards from the Colorado School Public Relations Association and the district itself.
In my second retirement, I’m a historical novelist as previously mentioned. “Poppy: A Novel About A Colorful Colorado Life” has been chosen by the Colorado State Library for its Colorado Book Club Resource program. I am also President of the Colorado Authors League, a community of nearly 400 published writers founded in 1931.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Without question, the sudden and unexpected death of my sweet Becky was the ultimate test of my resilience. We were together nearly 49 years after meeting at a school dance. When she suffered a massive, ultimately fatal brain aneurysm at our Catholic Church, I was devastated. But in the days that followed a story emerged that was as beautiful as it was extraordinary, revealing, to me and to our family, God’s hand in an unforgettable way. My second book is all about what happened and writing it helped me to cope with her loss. My grief and my love for Becky provided the fuel. Part memoir/part spiritual odyssey, “You Were Chosen, Just Like Mary: A True Story of Love and Faith” offers readers the chance to see the unseen and to believe the unbelievable.
As I write in the introduction, “If what you are seeking is a book brimming with brilliant new insight regarding what we Catholics assert is the One True Church, you’d best move on as I am no theologian. What you’ve stumbled upon are the reflections of a poor, converted sinner in the midst of a remarkable journey that started in a Colorado church parking lot on a beautiful late May afternoon.”
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling in helping knit the fabric of one’s community. While my work has taken many forms, I’m of the opinion that none has been more impactful than my contributions as a broadcast journalist and news executive. I always tried to approach it in a way that sought truth, minimized harm, and encouraged accountability and transparency. My philosophy was best summed up by a simple sign that greeted everyone at 9NEWS. “Accuracy first.” It pains me to see the dramatic changes in legacy media, including the pending sale of my former station to Nexstar. If approved, it will mean fewer choices for Denver news consumers, and is part of a national trend of consolidation. I have many friends who are still trying to “fight the good fight” as anchors, reporters, producers and photojournalists in this challenging environment. I for one will never take their work for granted and would encourage anyone who appreciates their efforts to drop them a line of encouragement. It has always been a tough business, but it’s never been as tough as this.
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