Small Quaker organizations strongly reflect the individuals who do their work, hence finding good staff is of primary importance. Last year when former senior editor Kenneth Sutton told me that he would be moving to Boston, it hadn’t yet become clear how much our staff would evolve in the course of this year. Now, more than 300 job applications and dozens of interviews later, I’m pleased to introduce four new staff members!
As I shared in our February issue, following a nationwide search, former assistant editor Bob Dockhorn was promoted to senior editor. In January another extensive search was launched and I am pleased now to introduce our new assistant editor, Lisa Rand. Lisa first came to us as a regular editorial volunteer when she had relocated to Philadelphia; at the time she was employed at the University of Pennsylvania. While I searched for a new senior editor, she readily agreed to take on the responsibilities of acting assistant editor. A graduate of Simmons College and a student of the New School for Social Research, this summer she will complete a Master of Liberal Arts degree at the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in History and Religious Studies. She is an attender at Central Philadelphia (Pa.) Meeting. We have grown to greatly enjoy her quiet and observant disposition, and her gentle humor.
We are delighted to have her now as a permanent staff member!
Long-time staffer Pam Nelson left us at the end of June, just prior to the birth of her second son. We are glad for her family, but will miss her greatly. Since 1995 Pam maintained the database programs that manage our subscriber and donor records, taking us through two full conversions to new and more powerful software. Melissa Heyman will take over this very important work as well as helping me with correspondence, research, and special projects. Melissa grew up in New York Yearly Meeting, attending youth programs at Powell House and yearly meeting sessions at Silver Bay. A graduate of Wells College and John F. Kennedy University, she brings to us a wide range of administrative experience. She most recently worked as project manager for NewGround Resources Incorporated, working on branding and corporate design for national clients, and as project manager for Butterfields, an eBay Company.
In February, Development Coordinator and Marketing and Circulation Manager Alex Doty left us. His work has been taken up by two individuals. Gretta Stone, a member of Doylestown (Pa.) Meeting, took over in June as part-time development coordinator, having served in a similar capacity for Friends General Conference for nine years. A graduate of Temple University and Bryn Mawr School of Social Work, Gretta also works part-time for the Newtown (Pa.) Township municipal government. An accomplished musician, she performs with the "Faith and Practice" band at various Quaker events. She is also a biking enthusiast, having crossed the country from West to East coast in 2000 in 82 days on her bicycle! And more recently, in July, we were joined by Lawrence Moore, whose career has been in both periodicals management and marketing, relationship building and implementation. Larry holds degrees from Knox College, Tulane University, and Villanova University. He has worked with TV Guide Magazine, where he served both as editions manager and as marketing services manager. He was director of marketing and communications for the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, and business manager, publications product manager, and circulation manager for the American College of Physicians. We are delighted to have him join us as part-time circulation and marketing manager.
I’m excited about the many talents these new staff members bring to us and look forward to working closely with them. I hope you will join me in welcoming them!