Southwestern Company Alumni Spotlights

Onnie Kirk (SW Years: 1971-1985)

In 1971, as a Junior at Texas Tech, Onnie Kirk accepted the challenge to be a Southwestern Bookman and it changed his life. Onnie went on to become a Regional Sales Manager and helped to build the Family Organization in the library division covering

In 1971, as a Junior at Texas Tech, Onnie Kirk accepted the challenge to be a Southwestern Bookman and it changed his life.  His first summer he sold books in Demopolis, Alabama and was a Top First Year Dealer. His second summer he and his team sold books on the DelMarlVa peninsula.  Both ...Read More

J.T. Olson (SW Years: 1975 1997)

Founder of Both Hands Foundation

JT Olson spent 23 years developing young people with Southwestern.  After leaving the Southwestern Company sales program in 1997, JT partnered with Joel Broadbent (another former Southwestern Company sales manager) in a successful executive search firm here in Nashville.&nbs...Read More

Patrick Dollaghan (SW Years: 1970-1976)

Hollywood Actor

Patrick Dollaghan (1970-1976) has been utilizing the skills he learned as a Southwestern Company bookman and District Sales Manager in Hollywood for the past 30 years. Recently, he has been fortunate enough to have two major commercial campaigns, running at the same time, where he is their spokesper...Read More

Paul Niemann (SW Years: 1984 – 1991)

Writer/Entrepreneur

Paul Niemann first began working with inventors in 1998, and in 2003 he began writing a syndicating newspaper column called INVENTION MYSTERIES. His column is now in more than 70 newspapers. People often ask him if he ever invented anything himself. In 1998 he invented The Impeachment Card Game...Read More

Dr. John F. Murray (SW Years: 1983)

Sports Psychologist

Dr. John F. Murray has been providing professional consulting services to help individuals, organizations and teams succeed for more than 12 years. He is a top-selling author and columnist, and frequently speaks and conducts seminars to business and sports groups on topics such as performance e...Read More

Terry Eastland (SW Years: 1967-1974)

Journalist/Author

Terry Eastland started his Southwestern Company career after his senior year of High School in 1967. He worked in a crew managed by Jim Moore. His sales manager was Fred Landers. Eastland sold for 8 summers while a student at Vanderbilt University and Oxford University.  Terry's career in journ...Read More