Donny Goertz, Telecommunication (Production) — 2013
Donald Goertz, an alumnus of The University of Florida shares his smile wherever he goes. His positive spirit and mindset have gotten him far in his career. It hasn’t always been an easy ride for Goertz. An unexpected event turned his life upside down when he received the news that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Goertz’s life was put on hold stepping away from the camera.
I didn’t think I would pick up a camera again,” said Goertz. He was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer in 2016. When he received the news, his life was turned upside down, but this didn’t stop Goertz from producing content. It was about overcoming testicular cancer and proving to himself that he could defeat cancer.
As a college student, Goertz never expected his life to turn out the way it has. When Goertz was attending the University of Florida life, was normal. He worked as an associate producer for the local news, also known as WCJB TV20. He graduated in 2013 with a degree in telecommunications.
During COVID-19, he generated $34,000 in revenue for the first 10 months in the pandemic. If it wasn’t for the pandemic, Goertz would still be working for NBC’s Golf Channel. After being laid off from NBC Goertz decided to freelance, throughout the pandemic and create content on his own.
“It was the sense of overcoming obstacles and tackling adversity,” said Goertz.
This didn’t stop Goertz from working while he had cancer, he was still producing content for NBC’s Golf Channel.
Goertz was successful during his time at the golf channel, working there for seven years. He helped them reach 2.5 million views on Tiktok and grow their first month following to 20,000.
“His commitment to his work is part of his identity”. For Goertz, it is the news rush and fast-paced lifestyle.
He served as a segment producer; and worked with American Idol Season 7 Winner David Cook. Goertz was also awarded the NBC Universal “Going the Extra Mile Award” five times in his career.
Goertz worked with Juma Entertainment as Camera Assist producing “Secret Celebrity Renovation Show” for CBS featuring Emmitt Smith. He has also served as director of photography with Disney Imagineering documenting the recording of “Remember Me” soundtrack by Luis Fonsi (singer of “Despacito”, which is the second all-time most viewed YouTube Video.)
Growing up Goertz, was born in Plantation, Fl and raised in Coral Springs. He went to Coral Glades High School working in tv production. At a young age, he knew he wanted to be behind the camera.
“It is not about how you start it is how you finish,” said Goertz. His biggest mentor is Michael Moses, a film publicist for Netflix. For Goertz, it is the high-profile content that he loves producing.
As of now, Goertz has returned to working a full-time job with the IRONMAN Group as a Senior Video Production Manager.
If you would like to follow and connect with Goertz, his social media accounts are listed below.
https://www.instagram.com/donny_producer/
