After more than 25 years in the news business, Bill Bortzfield, the new communications manager at the Museum of Science & History on the Southbank, is sitting on the other side of the table.
A former television news reporter, producer and director, Bortzfield transitioned to digital media news coverage as the technology evolved.
Bortzfield also worked at The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville.com from 1999-2011, including as online news editor.
Instead of reading news releases, now he's writing them.
"My job is to get the word out about all the great things that Jacksonville's Museum of Science & History has to offer," Bortzfield said.
"If the community doesn't know what a jewel it has, they're not necessarily going to come out and experience it," he said.
He and his family were well-acquainted with the museum before the job opened.
"Like so many people, my family was raised in the MOSH. I've camped here with the Cub Scouts when I was a den leader. My kids have come here for summer camp," Bortzfield said.
One aspect of communicating MOSH's place in Downtown's arts and entertainment scene is helping people who may not be familiar with all the neighborhood has to offer discover the opportunities, he said.
"I know a lot of people say there's nothing to do in Downtown. To those folks, I just respond that they haven't tried very hard," said Bortzfield.
Considering Downtown's museums, concerts, sports events and nightlife, "there's a wealth of things to do," he said.
It was a news release that led Bortzfield to his new office at the museum. He said he was planning a transition from full-time to part-time in the digital media department at First Coast News when he learned MOSH had an opening in the communications department.
"I made the decision that I wanted to try something a little different. I've been in the news business for 27 years. As luck would have it, my predecessor, Kristi Taylor, sent out a 'goodbye' email to the media. I had just put in my resignation as a full-time employee. Talk about timing. It was just perfect. It almost seemed like fate," Bortzfield said.
His first day at MOSH was Jan. 28.
To learn about MOSH's exhibits, educational programs and membership, visit themosh.org.
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