40 Under 40: Brian Blackwell, business reporter

Brian Blackwell

AGE: 30

FAMILY: Wife, Ashley. Expecting first child in May.

EMPLOYER: Southeast Missourian

POSITION: Business reporter

COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT:

Fruitland Community Church

HIS TYPICAL DAY:

I arrive to work around 6 a.m., where I update semissourian.com with any news that broke overnight. That's about the only consistent part of my job, as each day brings something different to the table in the news business. In the morning I could be reporting on a financial conference and by early afternoon I may be writing a story about a goat auction.

MOST SATISFYING PART OF HIS WORK:

The rewarding part of my job is informing the public about information they need. And I take great responsibility in making sure I can deliver the most accurate news to the readers.

WORST HAIRCUT HE'S EVER HAD:

When I was taking undergraduate classes at Mississippi College I asked the stylist to cut some off and she asked how much. I told her to shave some off the top and that was a huge mistake on my part. Needless to say I didn't need another haircut for nearly three months.

HIS FAVORITE SONG FROM THE '80s:

"Beat It" by Michael Jackson

BIGGEST FIRST-DAY BLOOPER:

I can't remember my first day of the two jobs I've had.

HIS MOST EMBARASSING WORK MOMENT:

When I was working at a newspaper in Louisiana I overcooked a bag of popcorn in the break room's microwave. Smoke filled the entire office and the smell stuck around for a week. Even though it's been four years since I've worked there that story is still a popular one among my former co-workers.