Meet the Staff

Judy Goppert

Writing is a way of life for Judy Goppert. She began her career as a radio jingle writer, then upon graduation from college with a degree in Writing from Missouri State University, worked as copywriter for a variety of advertising agencies in Springfield and Kansas City. She had the opportunity to write for some high-profile clients, including Tyson, Helzberg Diamonds and Lodge of Four Seasons. As reporter and editor of a local small-town newspaper, she spent over 15 years interviewing and telling the stories of unique people in all walks of life.

She is a published author of two gift books and is currently a freelance writer for a wide variety of magazines, including HERLIFE New York, SIMPLYkc and Lee’s Summit Lifestyle.

Spending time at the Lake with her husband is a frequent, favorite pastime. They stay aboard their Sea Ray cruiser which is docked at a marina near the Bagnell Dam Strip. An avid outdoors girl, she enjoys drawing upon her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about Lake life.

John Neporadny

John is a full-time freelance writer specializing in freshwater fishing. His articles have been published in Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, BASSMASTER, B.A.S.S. Times, Fur-Fish-Game, North American Fisherman, Fishing Facts, In-Fisherman, CRAPPIE World, Crappie Journal, BASSIN' and other national and regional outdoor publications. He is also the author of THE Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide and 101 Bass Fishing Tips: Twenty-First Century Bassing Tactics and Techniques from All the Top Pros. The veteran outdoor writer was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in the “legendary communicator” category in 2016.

John gives you tips on catching fish this spring in this issue. For more information on how to catch fish at Lake of the Ozarks throughout the year, get a copy of the Lake of the Ozarks Fishing Guide available by visiting www. jnoutdoors.com or calling 573-365-4296.

George Denny

George’s family has been coming to the Lake of the Ozarks for more than seven decades. Moving here in the late 60’s, he graduated from School of the Osage.

He works for Vacation News magazine, a Lake Media publication, where his photos have been on more than 250 front covers.

George may be best known for his watersport and aerial photography, as well as his photography at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. He was nominated into the inaugural Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Hall of Fame in 2013.

Mel Woods

Mel is the owner of Blue Boat, one of the Lake area’s go-to businesses for drone photos and video. Her Lake Life Portrait Sessions are one of the hottest new experience gifts you can give your Lake lover.

Her work has been featured in several area magazines, on Lake TV and on live TV as the official drone pilot for the 2021 Lake Race, in real estate listings, art stores, and more.

She holds an FAA drone pilot certification and a bachelor’s degree in visual communications. She lives at the Lake and loves capturing Lake life.

See her work at www. blueboatart.com, and follow @BlueBoatArt on social for photos and videos from around the Lake.