Bill Kurtis to share his journey from journalist to entrepreneur at Rice Alliance

Bill Kurtis to share his journey from journalist to entrepreneur at Rice Alliance

BY MARY LYNN FERNAU
Special to the Rice News


Acclaimed documentary host and producer, Emmy-winning network news anchor and multimedia production company president Bill Kurtis has added grass-fed-cattle rancher and founder of Tallgrass Beef Company to his resume.

	BILL KURTIS

Kurtis will narrate his story of transition from noted journalist to entrepreneur at the ninth annual Rice Alliance Kickoff Celebration Aug. 28 at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management. He will share his passion for the grass-fed-beef industry, his journey into entrepreneurship, the excitement it brings as well as how to avoid a few cow pies along the way.


In 2005, Kurtis founded Tallgrass Beef Company in his home state of Kansas to champion the environmental and health benefits of grass-fed-cattle ranching and to coordinate the efforts of small grass-fed-cattle ranchers across the country. Grass-fed cattle are raised on his 10,000-acre ranch without hormones or antibiotics. The resulting beef is lower in fat and higher in omega-3 fatty acids. Tallgrass beef can be found in the finest restaurants and retailers across the country.


Kurtis’ first entrepreneurial endeavor began in 1985 when he founded Kurtis Productions, which produced the long-running “Cold Case Files” and “Investigative Reports” for the A&E Network. He also produced programs for the History Channel, National Geographic Channel, CNBC and the Discovery Channel. Kurtis’ journalistic accomplishments include co-anchor for “CBS Morning News,” correspondent for “CBS Reports” and anchor and reporter for CBS-owned WBBM-TV in Chicago. 
More recently, Kurtis provided satirical narration for the hit comedy film “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” starring Will Ferrell. Kurtis can also be seen in AT&T national commercials.


Rice faculty, staff and students and current Rice Alliance members are welcome to attend at no cost. Seating is limited and advance online registration is required. Advanced registration for the general public is $35; walk-up registration is $40. To register, visit www.alliance.rice.edu, call 713-348-3443 or e-mail alliance@rice.edu.



— Mary Lynn Fernau is the marketing director for the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship.