Joe Class III is a writer, memoirist, and communications professional based in Jackson, Missouri. 

He spent a decade with Operation Snap Dragon, rising from Field Producer to Chief Storyteller. He now serves at the Gibson Center for Behavioral Change and is an independent communication storytelling consultant. 

His essay "Winter Protocol" was accepted by bioStories. He is currently working on his memoir Show Up. Stay. Risk It All. His blog Five Minute Observations has published more than 470 posts and draws around 8,000 readers a month.

He is married to Alissa. They have a golden doodle named Pretzel June. He has been running ultramarathons for eight years.

He believes the best stories find you when you stop looking for them, show up, and take a risk with a conversation.

Stories have never been more important than they are today and Joe Class III is a MASTER STORYTELLER. A compelling story, told well, echoes through the mind, overtakes the heart, and demands a response. That’s exactly what Joe does so well. He taps into our innate desire to “see” and “feel” information that arcs from a powerful beginning to an impactful end. Joe knows the importance of clearly communicating and recognizes that stories are one of the most valuable assets any person or organization owns.

Mark Affleck

Joe Class III exercised his creative storytelling by serving Operation Snap Dragon, skills enhancing communication within our team and with our external partners. Joe is skilled at exploring new and innovative ways to tell a story – whether from a unique perspective or using a style that grabs attention and draws a reader in. He knows the importance of understanding the audience to communicate engaging and enticing action. Joe’s genuine care for people helps him make a heart connection with the audience. Regardless of the subject, Joe is consistent, zeroing in on the critical points, delivering them thoughtfully.

Brian Miller