John Burns is president of ECHO Storytelling Agency, where he pursues his highest personal values of service and utility, connecting the talents and passions of staff with the business hopes and challenges of his clients. And somehow, within all this, improving processes and efficiencies to maximize profitability.

John spent over 20 years in journalism before joining ECHO, working in daily, weekly, and monthly publications and in radio. For 7 years, he was ECHO’s editorial director, refining the company’s services and building out its roster of freelance talent. Across those years, though, he was also deeply involved in business development and sales, management, and the long-term development of the company alongside the founder/CEO. The transition to president was a years-long expansion of responsibilities, but the skill set has been the same all along: clear communication, relentless curiosity, tenacity, leadership grounded in empathy, and a desire to serve and be of use to those around him. For those keeping score, John is an Integrator (EOS), Achiever (StrengthsFinder), INFJ (Meyers-Briggs), and Leo/Gryffindor.