Contributors

Thomas McDonald
'As Seen on Radio' Co-Host and ACS Contributor

You might say Thomas McDonald is quite vocal.  Not only did he study vocal performance/opera at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, he's carved out a profession from the air waves of Austin as the producer of the highly successful and critically acclaimed Jeff Ward Show on KLBJ Radio, AM 590.

McDonald hails from Austin and attended Lake Travis High School.  The eternal student, McDonald received his Master's degree in Mass Communications from Texas State University in San Marcos.

McDonald doesn't consider his job to be real work.  He's a researcher and news hound whose Rolodex reflects just how good he is at making contacts.  He also happens to work for the man he says he idolized growing up, Mark Caesar, who co-hosts Austin's Morning News Monday-Friday on KLBJ Radio, AM 590.

It's no surprise that one of McDonald's hobbies is LEGOS.  He masterminds them together with his hands the way he puts together stories and a radio show: one at a time with extreme attention and thought.

McDonald also likes SUP (stand up paddling) and helped bring the sport to Austin.  He's a golfer, movie-goer, and, as all communications people tend to be, a Trivial Pursuit player.

Ben Wright
Austin Citysphere Contributor 

Ben Wright is an Austin transplant who is from across the big pond.  He was born in Leicester, England but spends his time basking in the Texas weather and diverse culture of the Capital City.

Wright writes for a living, a reporter with the right attitude and connections for capturing breaking news, features, civic issues, and the unique qualities of Austin.  He recently finished a stint as a political reporter with El Paso's NewspaperTree.com, covering the 2008 general election and the 2009 state legislative session.  Wright focused on long form pieces for the main site, while using his skills in social media as a blogger for the shorter stories.

Wright also just wrapped up working as a correspondent for the Highland Lakes Newspapers, but decided to step down and concentrate on his freelancing career.

That decision, in part, led him to The Austin Citysphere where his experience is a beneficial addition to the mission of this small start-up news, blog, and podcast site.  Wright's passion for journalism, politics, and the people of central Texas is clear in every word he writes.

Wright graduated from King's College London in 2003 with a degree in History.  He says he became a globe trotter for a while before returning back to King's to complete an MA in History.

Wright wants to say in Texas covering politics.  Government relations is one of his major interests.  Longterm, Wright said, he wants to pursue a PhD.  But not before becoming a DaD.  He and his wife, Carla, are expecting their first child later this year.