Kurt Kuster

Saint Raphael School

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Kurt Kuster - Class of (Faculty) - Saint Raphael School

First Name	Kurt
Last Name	Kuster
Graduation Year	Class of (Faculty)
Gender	Male
Current Location	Lyndhurst, Ohio
Hometown	Phillipsburg, Ohio
Relationship Status	Married
About Me	Rose's husband, Jack's dad, Miamian, teacher Biography for Speech and Presentations While a college student, Kurt Kuster began his communications career as a sports “stringer” and later interned with the Richmond (IN) Palladium-Item in 1988. After graduating from Miami University, he was named feature and news editor for a trio of weekly sister papers, The Richmond Graphic, the Ohio Graphic, and the Community Press. Sensing the papers faced serious financial difficulty; Kuster soon left, joining the staff of the award winning Eaton Register-Herald, one of the largest weekly newspapers in Ohio. There, in addition to feature and news writing, he planned and promoted community events. His work made numerous festivals, including the Preble County Pork Festival, a success. In fact, the 1992 Pork Fest set a three-day attendance mark of over 100,000 people. Kuster’s calls for community action in his editorials made an impact. Public awareness campaigns he organized led to the repair of a vandalized cemetery, additional funding for a victim-witness advocate program, the release of state funds to correct a high school air quality problem, the passage of school levies, and the implementation of enhanced 911 service in Preble County. He also served as a coroner’s investigator during this time. While with the Register-Herald he also launched a first-of-its-kind newspaper for a private community. The Lakeside News served as the model for two similar papers in Ohio, and all three publications enjoy continued success. After moving to Cleveland and marrying, Kuster freelanced for OfficeMax and LTV Steel. In addition, he edited sections of the research volumes Notable Asian Americans and Asian American Almanac. In 1993, he helped found the critically acclaimed, but commercially unsuccessful, Business Today (BT). There, Kuster planned, researched, and wrote nearly all the editorial content of the business tabloid that served the Eastern Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga County business communities. Kuster also represented the publication at trade shows, developed press kits, produced sales materials, interviewed potential employees, negotiated vendor contracts, and handled day-to-day office affairs. When BT ceased publication, its owners offered Kuster an editorial position with Gazette Publications, and Kuster served as a contributing editor for the Lake County Gazette, Jefferson Gazette, and Madison Tribune. BT’s former owner then named Kuster the communications director for the American Trade Exchange (ATX). At ATX, Kuster planned direct mail advertisements, organized promotions and seminars, edited a monthly newsletter, and produced a quarterly magazine. Seeking a more stable environment, Kuster went to automotive aftermarket magazine publisher, Babcox, in 1996. There, he served as managing editor of Counterman magazine, The 50,000-plus national-circulation periodical saw record profits in his first two years on staff. In addition, stories Kuster edited won several ASBPE awards. While with Babcox, Kuster also wrote for the national award winning Professional NASCAR Garage (now known as NASCAR Technician) as well as Tech Shop. He was also a team member of Aftermarketnews.com. Kuster also concerned himself with production problems and helped Babcox implement CTP technology, which saved the company tens of thousands of dollars. He was also instrumental in the redesign of Counterman that took place in 1999. During his tenure with Babcox, Kuster also took part in marketing, national lobbying and PR efforts for the automotive aftermarket. He participated in tradeshows, attended industry events, organized open houses, produced sales materials, aided with corporate promotions, created ads, and assisted with special advertising copy for numerous national and international companies doing business with Babcox. He also aided in writing the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) test for certified parts specialists. In the summer of 2000, Kuster left Babcox and joined Penton Media as an associate editor for American Machinist, Cutting Technology, ShopOwner, and Manufacturing Warehouse Distributor magazines. At Penton, Kuster’s cost cutting measures garnered him the company’s Above and Beyond Award. Changes he implemented in production saved his publishing group over $7,000 in just one quarter. In addition to the publications mentioned, Kuster’s writing has also appeared in The Plain Dealer, The Lake County News Herald, and Hoosier Motorcyclist. Since leaving Penton due to downsizing, Kuster has earned a Master’s degree in education and has worked as a guest teacher in several districts as well as serving as an instructor at area colleges. He considers English, particularly American literature, his area of expertise with a special focus on early modernist works and the "Lost Generation." He also has a strong interest in African-American literature, especially that produced between 1920 and 1970. Kuster is a strong proponent of thematic, integrated teaching Kuster and his wife are also active members in the Miami University Alumni Association, the Miami Red and Wh...(read more)