Jan 29, 2018
Clyde Lear is the retired Chairman and CEO of Learfield Communications, Inc. a company he started in 1972 as an outgrowth of his master’s project at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
For competitive reasons, the company changed from a radio company to a marketing company in the mid-1980s. It now exclusively handles stadium and arena signage, game day activities with advertisers, game program printing and sales, corporate hospitality and—in many venues—food and beverage sales.
Lear received a Masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri in 1968 and an AB degree in 1966 from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri. He attended high school in Jefferson City where he was born in 1944.
Lear, along with his wife, Sue, has worked tirelessly for young people across Missouri. In Jefferson City they helped other volunteers in bringing the faith-based organization Young Life to three local high schools and then to Columbia area high schools. Having served as chair for many years, they continue as committee members today. As a contribution to the state, he has been central to the annual Governor’s Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values—now in its 25st year, beginning in 1987. That three-day event scheduled around the Missouri Governor’s Prayer Breakfast each January, brings college juniors from each of Missouri’s four-year colleges and universities to Jefferson City to consider leadership from a different perspective: servant leadership, using the person of Jesus as an example. Each Governor since 1987 has thrown himself into this ecumenical, non-dogmatic effort that has had significant impact in these young lives.
His greatest love is mentoring. He and Sue use the company and other opportunities as platforms to develop outstanding executives and leaders. He gives significant time to helping college age—and post college age--men and women grow personally and professionally.