Classes: Sales Strategy, Message Development

First year at KU: 1988

Degrees: Bachelor of Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia; BA, political science, University of Missouri-Columbia; MBA, Rockhurst University

Honors: Media Pioneer, Kansas City Media Professionals; National Sales Manager of the Year for five years, Heritage Broadcasting; Hart Award for service to the local chapter, March of Dimes

“I’m driven to be the best at what I do, and I’m driven to help anyone who is motivated find their success.” — Diane O'Byrne

By Brandi Garvin

Diane O'Byrne does not have a lot of time on her hands, so she makes the most of it. She is deeply involved in her profession, as an educator and in her community. To make time for it all, she uses skills she has learned and taught to others.

O'Byrne started at the University of Missouri studying to be a broadcast political analyst. By the end of her time in Columbia, Mo., she had both a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

“I was a child of the Watergate era and truly wanted to help people with my insightful reports,” O’Byrne says.

She soon added an MBA from Rockhurst University in Kansas City. O’Byrne says she was drawn to the business of journalism.

“The sales department quickly became my home,” O’Byrne says. “I loved the challenge of helping businesses grow.”

For seven years, O'Byrne worked as an account executive in radio and television before becoming the general sales manager of KCFX radio in 1985 in Kansas City, Mo.

In 1988, she came to the University to “fill in,” teaching a management class, and she has been a guest lecturer ever since. She has taught Sales Strategy for several years, and is teaching Message Development. Though O’Byrne lives in Kansas City, she says that the University, along with the surrounding community, is her home.

“I love Lawrence and the faculty in the Journalism School,” O’Byrne says.

She has been very involved in her community, both personally and professionally. O’Byrne is the secretary of the Catholic Charities’ board of directors. She was on the March of Dimes board of directors, and she is a past president of the Kansas City/Saint Joseph Diocesan School Board. On the professional side, she was the president of the Kansas City Media Professionals and the Kansas City Freelance Network. She is a member of the Advertising Club of Kansas City.

With three degrees and years of experience under her belt, O'Byrne in 1989 co-founded Competitive Resources. The company, which she now manages, customizes both personal and team sales training programs. The company is based in Kansas City but has national clients such as Bank of America.

It is easy for O'Byrne to find time to do it all because she practices what she preaches: She also teaches time management seminars. She tries to use the tools she teaches to others in her daily life.

“I’m driven to be the best at what I do,” O’Byrne says, “and I’m driven to help anyone who is motivated find their success.”

It also helps, she says, that she doesn’t need a lot of sleep.