>> Staff Bios
Gabriele A. Edgell Gabriele and her late husband Doug founded the Company in 1984 with the launch of their first technology-based magazine, Automatic ID News, covering the emerging bar code industry, and with the acquisition of Selling Christmas Decorations. Although Automatic ID News was later sold to another publisher, the company continued its launch strategy with nine more technology and merchandising publications: RIS News in 1988, Selling Halloween in 1990, Retail Systems Reseller and Consumer Goods Manufacturer in 1992, Data Capture Reseller in 1996, Hospitality Technology in 1997, Greetings etc. in 1999 and Kiosk Business and Commercial Christmas Decor in 2000. Gabriele's primary focus in the company has been running the merchandising magazines, which have been integral to the firm's growth strategy. Her involvement in this market includes her role as a founding member of NOEL: The Christmas Decorations Association, where she currently serves as President. Her experience prior to starting Edgell Communications includes sales for Cal-Abco, a computer chip distributor, and publishing research at Ziff-Davis. She holds a bachelor's degree from Queens College, Flushing, NY. She is the mother of two children, Katherine and Gregory, and their two dogs, Wilson and Milo.
Gerald C. Ryerson Gerald C. Ryerson was named President and a member of the Board of Directors of Edgell Communications, a leading B2B communications company that reaches the most influential technology executives—in print, in person, online—across the fastest-growing verticals, in January of 1999. Ryerson joined Edgell Communications in late 1996 as Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure, the company has started several new magazines and has become active in the event business, having launched several successful executive-level conferences to add to the Company’s portfolio of magazines, proprietary research products, custom publications and Web events. To date, Edgell has nearly tripled in revenue under Gerry’s leadership. Prior to joining Edgell Communications, he was Chief Financial Officer of Medscape, Inc., a leading New York-based Internet content provider, where he was responsible for raising capital and developing strategic alliances. Prior to Medscape, Gerry was General Manager of the Daily Record in Parsippany, NJ. He also served as Chief Financial Officer of the New Haven Register in New Haven, CT. He is a certified public accountant, a member of the American Business Media Board of Directors, a member of the Connecticut State Society of CPAs, and Chairs the American Business Media’s Media Services Committee. Gerry holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut.
John Chiego John was appointed a vice president and member of the board of directors of Edgell Communications in April 2000. During the previous six years he served as a consultant to the company primarily in the areas of financial, management, acquisition and general business consulting. Beginning with Gordon Publications in 1978, John's publishing career has included positions as Director, CFO, Vice President, Treasurer and Controller in successor and related companies including Elsevier U.S. Holdings, Elsevier Business Press, Delta Communications, Springhouse Corporation and Excerpta Media, among others in the Elsevier group prior and subsequent to the merger creating Reed Elsevier in 1993. Prior to 1978, John, a CPA, was a manager with the accounting firm of Touche Ross (currently Deloitte & Touche). A graduate of Seton Hall University, he and his wife, Joan, reside in Fair Lawn , NJ .
Rob Keenan Rob joined Edgell in September of 2007 as the VP of Online Media and was named VP of Media Integration in December 2008. Prior to joining Edgell, Rob spent seven years with CMP Technology LLC. At CMP, Rob served as the director of the company's RFID World business unit. He also served as the Editor-in-Chief of TechOnline Network of websites, helped guide the launch of CMP's DesignLine franchise of sites, and served as the Editor-in-Chief of CommsDesign.com and Communication Systems Design magazine. Before joining CMP, Rob worked as a managing editor at Internet startup VerticalNet. In this role, Rob aided with the launch of five vertically oriented web communities and managed the day-to-day operations of Wireless Design Online and RF GlobalNet. Rob also worked at Penton Media, serving on the editorial staff of Wireless Systems Design magazine. Rob holds a BA in Communication from the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pa. He currently lives in Wayne, NJ with his wife, Melissa, and his two children.
Susan Nichols Apparel provides competitive, actionable information — focused on technology and business insight from concept to consumer — to executives representing the world's most successful apparel brands, retailers and manufacturers. Susan is a member of the Product Innovation Council and a member and past chairman of the Supply Chain Leadership Committee, both part of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. She also serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Textile/Clothing Technology Corporation. Additionally, Susan serves as a director of the American Apparel Education Foundation and on the Industry Advisory Board for the University of North Carolina-Greensboro's Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Carolina's College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Susan holds a B.S. in news-editorial journalism. She resides in Lexington , SC , USA , with her daughter.
David Weinand David was most recently the Director of Advertising at The Jacksonville Business Journal, where he drove sales and marketing for their paper, events, and online products. Recently, David spent 8 years at Retail Systems Alert Group (RSAG) in multiple roles, including Director of Sales, Vice President of Business Development, and General Manager. While at RSAG, David launched their research division, RSAG Research, as well as several new events including The Global Retail Technology Forum, Merchandise Innovation & Excellence (MIX), and The Retail Data Security Forum. Prior to that, David spent 9 years at national rep firm Katz Radio in New York, Atlanta, and Boston in sales and sale management roles. David serves as a program chair for the Jacksonville chapter of the US Green Build council and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. David holds a bachelor of science in marketing from Arizona State University and resides in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife and two daughters.
Albert Guffanti Albert joined Edgell Communications in July, 2007 as Publisher of Vertical Systems Reseller, and is responsible for VSR’s publication, website, e-newsletter, events and other associated projects. Albert has over ten years of experience performing varying roles for leading publishers in the B2B publishing industry. These include: Commonwealth Business Media, American Lawyer Media, Thomson Financial, Elsevier Science, and Aspen Publishers. Most recently, Albert was involved with The Journal of Commerce magazine – a publication which serves the International Trade and Logistics community through conferences, directories, websites, and print magazines. Albert holds a BBA in Accounting from Pace University and a BA in English from SUNY Stony Brook. Albert lives in Cedar Knolls, NJ with his wife Rosemarie, daughter Talia and son Andrew.
Lenore O'Meara, Lenore joined Edgell in 1999, and has been with Hospitality Technology magazine for her entire tenure at the company. Originally hired as Sales Manager, she has held jobs as Associate Publisher and Publisher for the past 4 years. With over 20 years sales experience, she has worked at a daily newspaper, a custom foodservice/entertainment publication and the photo industry. At Hospitality Technology, Lenore is responsible for driving the publication, e-newsletters, Four Hospitality focused executive events including the Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference, the Hotel Technology Forum, the Point of Service Summit, the Restaurant Executive Summit, among other associated projects. Lenore holds an Applied Associates degree from County College of Morris, Randolph , NJ . She resides in Rockaway, NJ with her husband Chris, son Ryan and daughter Meghan.
Dorene Rettas Dorene Rettas has been with Edgell Communications for more than eight years. She previously served as Group Publisher for Edgell's Merchandising Group, overseeing three magazine franchises - Greetings etc., Selling Christmas Decorations and Selling Halloween. As Group Publisher, Dorene launched the Annual Buyer's Guide, two supplements, custom publications and the National Party Retailing Awards. In her new position as publisher of Mobile Enterprise, Dorene takes over responsibility for the monthly print publication, www.mobileenterprisemag.com, multiple vertical e-newsletters, a portfolio of custom products and the annual Mobile Enterprise Executive Summit. Dorene brings a proven ability to identify and capitalize on market opportunity, build and motivate a strong team and establish productive relationships with both audience and marketers to the dynamic mobile industry. Prior to joining Edgell, Dorene spent six years in advertising sales with R.R. Bowker, working with major national and international book publishers. Dorene resides in Long Valley, NJ with her two sons, Michael and Matthew.
Joe Skorupa Before becoming group editor-in-chief of RIS News and VSR magazine, Joe was editor of Hospitality Technology and Consumer Goods Technology. All are media franchises of Edgell Communications, which Joe joined in 2001. In 2002, the American Business Press judged a series of columns Joe wrote for Hospitality Technology to be one of the three best regularly featured columns in the country. In addition, he has been a judge for such industry programs as the Microsoft RAD Awards, IBM Beacon Awards, Microsoft Specialized Retail Solution Awards and Symbol Enterprise Mobility Solution Awards. Prior to this Joe was executive producer of Boats.com in San Francisco, editor-in-chief of Boating World in Atlanta, executive editor of Boating in New York City, and the boating/outdoors editor for Popular Mechanics in New York for nine years. Joe is a former president of the national environmental organization Tread Lightly and Boating Writers International. He has written two books about boating, was executive producer for an ESPN documentary on Tread Lightly and spends much of his free time bicycling. He lives with his wife, Robin, in Madison , New Jersey.
Abigail Lorden Abigail A. Lorden became editor of Hospitality Technology magazine in September 2006 and is responsible for the editorial direction of the magazine, its website (htmagazine.com), its portfolio of print products, and its roster of online and in-person events. Since taking on that role, Abigail has spearheaded an overhaul of the publication's content and design that has significantly improved its value proposition to both readers and advertisers. She joined parent company Edgell Communications in 2004 as assistant editor for Hospitality Technology and its sister publication, Vertical Systems Reseller (VSR), and was named VSR 's managing editor shortly thereafter. In that role, Abigail substantially strengthened VSR's position as a must-read resource for value added resellers. Abigail has a keen grasp of the role that IT plays in hospitality environments and her travel writing background affords her extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Edgell, Abigail held editorial and public relations positions with the Automobile Association of America (AAA). She holds a bachelor's degree in communication from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and resides in Hackettstown , N.J.
Susan Nunziata In her 20 years as a business-to-business editor and reporter, Susan Nunziata has covered a wide range of topics, including traditional and digital media, entertainment, marketing, and consumer electronics. She joined Mobile Enterprise in October 2007 after six years as Executive Editor of EPM Communications’ Entertainment Marketing Letter. While there, Nunziata spearheaded coverage of the U.S. mobile entertainment and media markets, including writing a special report on wireless entertainment and promotions, and organizing two audioconferences on the topic. She also organized the editorial agenda and moderated the annual EPM Entertainment Marketing Conference, as well as authoring several other books and special reports for EPM. Prior to EPM, Nunziata was Editor of Music Business International, a magazine that covered the music business outside the U.S. Before joining MBI, Nunziata was Managing Editor of Billboard magazine, where she oversaw all editorial operations of the weekly music industry publication. She began her career as a reporter and editor for Pro Sound News. Nunziata is a frequent public speaker who has appeared at numerous industry events and conferences worldwide. She is also an Adjunct Instructor at the NYU School of Continuing & Professional Studies, and volunteers as Chairperson of the Northvale Cultural Arts Committee. Nunziata holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from St. John's University. She lives in Northvale, NJ, with her husband, David Llewellyn, a photographer.
Regina Ciardiello Regina Ciardiello joined Edgell Communications in September 2007 as managing editor of Vertical Systems Reseller, also known as VSR. She is responsible for the publication's day-to-day operations, as well as editorial for its Web site and accompanying e-newsletters, VAR Central and Real-Life Solutions. Regina has more than 10 years of experience in the publishing industry. Most recently, she served as Special Projects Editor of The Journal of Commerce, a weekly news magazine covering the trade and transportation industry. Prior to that, Regina was Managing Editor of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, a monthly trade publication geared toward the commercial maritime industry. Regina holds a B.A. degree in English and an M.A. degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership, both from Seton Hall University . She also holds a Certificate in Journalism from NYU's School of Continuing Education & Professional Studies. Regina resides in Montclair , N.J.
Jordan Speer Jordan Speer is editor in chief of Apparel magazine, and after more than 13 years covering the industry has learned what’s really involved in putting an outfit together. She has watched the U.S. apparel industry evolve from a more production-focused business to one driven by brand and retail enterprises, as production has made its exodus offshore, and has been instrumental in transforming the publication to keep pace with the needs of Apparel’s readers. In her current position, Speer is responsible for the editorial direction of the magazine, web site and enewsletters and is directly involved in shaping the content of Apparel’s thought-leading events. She has driven content around hot topics ranging from color management, design and product development and RFID to retail intelligence and sustainability, and has been called upon to speak about such subjects at various industry events, including Guatemala’s Apparel Sourcing Show, AATCC’s International Conference and the UnderFashion Club’s seminar series. In 2009, Speer developed Apparel’s Sustainability All-Star Awards and TechView enewsletter. Speer’s prior experience includes work as a research assistant at a Washington, DC-based economic consulting group. She also has written a weekly column on style for The New York Sun and The Washington Times. Speer holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and French from the University of Virginia and a Master’s degree in English from the University of South Carolina. She resides in Columbia, SC, with her husband and two children. |
