Meet the Guys Behind The Scenes

MATT GRAHAM

Matt Graham is a born and raised Ozarkian. Well, except for a year in St Louis. Close enough. Matt is currently Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer for the Central Bank of the Ozarks. He offices at the Mortgage Center on National Ave and has an office in Highlandville, MO.  Matt serves on the junior board for the lost and found grief center and a former board member of Diaper Bank of the Ozarks. He was also a Former host of Who Do You Know in 417 MO on KWTO. 

He is also a 12-year resident of Highlandville but was born in Nixa and graduated from Nixa High School as a 13-year Senior. 

Matt has a beautiful family with Alice Graham as his lovely bride of 16 years and his two children Norris (age 8) and Ruby (age 6). Alice is a veteran K-6 Art Teacher at Forsyth Elementary and Norris and Ruby attend Highlandville Elementary. 

Matt has been an avid outdoorsman since he was young and an athlete. He loves to venture just about anywhere in the Ozarks with his family (and camper) to hike, float, fish, and camp all of the beautiful places the Ozarks have to offer. From the Big Piney and Gasconade Rivers to the Eleven Point, Jacks Fork, and Current Rivers, to the Buffalo River in Arkansas; Matt has seen the best the Ozarks has to offer. 

Matt and Alice love to educate their children about the history, topography, minerals, flora, and fauna found in the Ozarks. They call the James River their home river, but they can show you around just about anywhere. 

DAVID CARR

David moved to the Ozarks when he was 12 and has lived here ever since. First in Ozark and later Springfield, he has been a part of the community for decades, graduating from MSU and serving on many local city and county boards. His wife Shonna is a native of Marshfield, and their hoard of children were all born in Springfield and attend Willard school district.

David is the founder, producer and creative director of Exploring the Ozarks. As the man behind the camera, he is in charge of getting all the (hopefully) cool shots; whether it is with his trusty Canon, DJI Mavic Air, or phone, he is constantly working to get the best shot.

Also the founder of Creative Endeavors, Springfield Studio 1, and non-profit The Ozarks Film Foundry, David has a passion for bringing the film industry to the Ozarks. Exploring The Ozarks is another project that aims to not only Enlighten, Entertain and Energize viewers on the delights of the Ozarks, but also help give jobs to those in the creative industry and build awareness of the wealth of talent that resides here.

Through Exploring the Ozarks David fulfills his desire to explore and learn more about new places, take photos and videos no one else has before, and in general enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks.

JAKE SANSOUCIE

Jake is the guy whos usually behind the cameras and posts all of our content on all of our social platforms. He is a videographer, photographer, and social media manager. Jake grew up in Missouri and moved to the Ozarks when he was in middle school. He attended George Washing Carver Middle School. He would eventually move during his middle school career and go back to his hometown of Potosi, Missouri. But Jake had family in Springfield and would visit every summer. Every summer he would enjoy exploring the Ozarks, especially Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. One of his favorite places to visit.



 Jake graduated from Lee University Cum Laude with a bachelor's in Christian Education. And after 10 years in ministry work, which led him to Alabama, he finally returned home to Springfield, Missouri with his beautiful wife Miracle. During his time in ministry, Jake became proficient in taking pictures, creating videos, and making podcasts of bible teaching.

Jake works for VIP Marketing Group here in Springfield, MO. And through connections, met Matt and David and began this journey with them of Exploring the Ozarks. While Jake isn't working full time he enjoys reading books, watching movies, and spending time with his wife, Miracle, and their Yorkie, Chase. Jake is very excited about the Exploring the Ozarks journey. Through ETO his desire is to help inspire others to look at the Ozarks differently, from the people to the places that make up the Ozarks. To not take for granted the beauty and awe of this country we call the Ozarks!