Jay Payleitner

Before finding his niche, Jay explored a lot of vocational options.

And God continues to use 'em all.

Jay’s first job out of college was selling photocopiers for A.B. Dick.  It was not his shining moment.  But, he did learn to make cold calls. 

He spent the 1980s, creating award-winning radio spots, print ads, and television commercials for eggs, canned vegetables, steaks, banks, land developers, gadgets, grocery chains, the Chicago Symphony, and Corona Beer.  For a major Chicago advertising agency, he was the primary copywriter for Midway Airlines, which included producing TV and radio spots with Coach Mike Ditka.  He also helped name and position Frito-Lay’s “SunChips.”

In 1989, he left Michigan Avenue to do more important work . . . 

For a host of Christian publishers (Tyndale, Bethany House, Thomas Nelson, Barbour, Cook, Regal, etc.) Jay has created ads, radio spots, videos, and all kinds of point-of-sale and brochures.  He consulted on marketing Bibles, developed a wide-range of products, and wrote the very first ad for Left Behind.

For radio, he was sole producer of “Josh McDowell Radio” for its 13-year run and currently produces “Jesus Freaks Radio” and “Today’s Father."  He launched, scripted, and produced daily radio for The Heritage Foundation, Christian Association of PrimeTimers, and the Susan B. Anthony List.

Each Christmas for more than 15 years, Jay has written and produced a full-length radio special for Prison Fellowship’s “Angel Tree” project.  (The stories still make him cry.)

Within days of 9/11, Jay conceived and produced the fast-selling “America Responds” audio series featuring Chuck Colson, James Dobson, Bill Hybels, Tony Evans, David Jeremiah, and Joe Stowell. 

Jay is the creator of "The Dad Manifesto," a poster, plaque, book, and canon of convictions for forever fathers.

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As a speaker, Jay has emceed men’s events, led marriage retreats, keynoted fundraising events and writers' conferences, preached at weekend services, spoken at MOPS groups, and facilitated creative training sessions.  He has spoken at Moody Bible Institute’s Pastors Conference and Iron Sharpens Iron conferences in ten states.

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Jay is the author of more than 25 books – having sold more than one-half million copies – including the bestselling 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad, Quick Tips for Busy Families, Lifeology, 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands, and What If God Wrote Your Bucket List?  Jay’s publishers include Harvest House, Tyndale, Bethany House, Worthy, DaySpring, and Broadstreet.  His books have been translated into French, German, Spanish, Italian, Afrikaans, Indonesian, Slovenian, Polish, and Russian.

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He has been a guest multiple times on “The Harvest Show,” “Chris Fabry Live,” and “Focus on the Family.” Jay also served as the Executive Director for the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative and testified at the 2018 Responsible Fatherhood Listening Summit in Washington, DC.

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Other credits:  Audiobooks.  Posters.  Music jingles.  Scriptwriting.  On camera work for Willow Creek Leadership Summit. More than 25 T-shirts.  Articles in national periodicals like Thriving Family and Guideposts.  Custom comedy bits for comedians Mark Lowry, Ken Davis, and Rodney Dangerfield

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Beyond income-generating activity, Jay has done just about anything to stay close to his kids and give back to the community.  Serving as: Wrestling, baseball, and softball coach. Awana director.  Booster club president.  Science fair chaperone.  Salvation Army Advisory Board. Church volunteer including nursery duty, KidsWorld speaker, drama coach, youth counselor, and middle school van driver.  School volunteer including Rock ‘n Read, picnic games leader, fundraising chairman, video producer, sound technician, and “room mom.”  

Jay and his high school sweetheart, Rita, have four sons, one daughter, four daughters-in-law, six perfect grandchildren (and an occasional foster baby) and live in St. Charles, Illinois.