A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO THE FUTURE

Personnel depth — coaches refer to it as bench strength — is always a vital characteristic of any championship team. And it is our good fortune to have a remarkably strong bench of talented people on the JCK team. That’s why we didn’t have to look far to find the ideal successors to George and Debbie Holmes, both of whom have retired after 22 years of JCK editorial leadership.

Peggy Jo Donahue, who began her career at JCK as an associate editor in 1979 and was our special projects editor for the past three years, has been chosen to take the reins as our new editor in chief. She moves into this top position with enthusiasm, impressive credentials and a clear vision of how JCK can best serve its readers and the industry in the years ahead. When told of her appointment, Peggy Jo said, after a couple of speechless moments, “my dream has come true, and now with the help of this great staff, I want to prove that I can lead JCK to even greater accomplishments in the future.” I’m sure she will.

Sharing Peggy Jo’s vision, and playing a major role in making it a reality, will be Ren Miller, who has received a well-deserved promotion to managing editor. Actually, it is the managing editor who oversees the daily operations of the editorial department and handles the myriad details necessary to keep the workflow on schedule. Ren has the expertise and temperament to fill this responsibility exceptionally well. He has been JCK’s copy editor and managed special issues, along with many writing assignments, since joining the staff in 1987.

Another important management position has just been filled by Peggy Willett, who, as many of you know, had been the executive director of the American Gem Trade Association for the past nine years. She assumes the newly created role of associate publisher. Peggy brings a wealth of experience that will greatly enhance our ability to manage JCK’s growing portfolio of publications, industry services and trade shows.

Each of these appointments, I am confident, will give additional strength to one of the finest teams in the publishing business and help JCK to serve the needs and interests of our industry well into the next century.