Special Thanks

Hedda Schupak -- JCK Online, 12/1/2004 2:00:00 AM

This December marks a bittersweet time for JCK. After more than 75 years in Pennsylvania, the magazine has moved to New York City. While a significant number of our staff did relocate and we've added talented, enthusiastic new people, many loyal staff members weren't able to relocate. Their names may not be immediately recognizable, but without their contributions behind the scenes, JCK would not be the successful operation that it is.

A huge "thank you" goes to art directors Myra Marsh and Matie Anne Patterson. Matie's clean design sense and tireless efforts created a sharper, more elegant JCK and Luxury International, while Myra's innovation and hip fashion sense launched the groundbreaking looks of both Trendz and FACETS. Sharon Sliwa's unflappable calm in the editorial production department ensured all our magazines made the printer's deadline. And copy editor Eileen Kerrigan always knew the word we could never think of and kept our copy tight with a swipe of her deadly red pen.

"Heritage" editor Monica McLaughlin will continue her excellent and scholarly coverage of the antique and estate jewelry market as a contributing editor. She also deserves thanks and recognition for her very hard work in editorial production. And finally, the venerable JCK Retail Panel remains in the capable hands of assistant editor Barbara Wenger, who not only built its numbers but also automated the tally process. She continues to manage it for JCK as a contributor.

On the business staff, we bid adieu to Kathy Ellis and Kathy Cseke, both of whom have added much to JCK with their innovative ideas and dedication. Sales assistants Diane LeGradi and Regina Eggles juggled the many demands of our sales team, while ad production manager Jennifer Graber and her staff, Andrea Steiger and Betsy Cummings, made sure all the ads made it onto the right pages every month. Gerri Capri made sure the right people were billed for the right ads.

Finally, a special recognition goes to Frank Dallahan, whose stature and respect in the industry raised JCK to a new level at a time when significant changes could have had a devastating negative impact. He elected not to continue as publisher in New York, but as a consultant continues to offer JCK sage advice and counsel.

An enthusiastic welcome goes to JCK's dynamic new publisher, Mark Smelzer, whose 15-plus years of publishing experience (most recently at the entertainment industry's daily, Variety) is the underpinning of an exciting new look for JCK, debuting next month. Also joining the editorial team is art director Todd Gast, who studied jewelry design before he decided to be a graphic artist, and Josie Beets, a self-professed computer geek and former temp and who joins JCK full time in editorial production. Finally, administrative assistant Laura Finkelstein has the unenviable task of keeping us all organized and on our toes.

From all of us to all of you, happy holidays and a wonderful 2005!

hschupak@reedbusiness.com