20 Under 40 - 2001

PRESSTIME

By Presstime Magazine

First Published: November 2001

The Way It Works

Just after the Fourth of July, Presstime editors faxed a "Last Chance!" nomination form to senior managers at U.S. newspapers and corporations. The last rush of submissions poured in, drying to a trickle a few days after the July 31 deadline. Then the real work began.

An assistant entered the information on an 18-column spreadsheet listing nominators, nominees, employers, titles, addresses and personal information. This year, we received 78 nominations.

Then we distributed the forms and back-up material—you'd be surprised how much some people send—among the Presstime staff, with assignments based on beats. Participants vetted their groups and then met to present and defend their top selections. They had reviewed the nominations, obtained and read résumés, and often called nominators to find missing information.

At the meeting, the editor wrote some major categories across the top of an electronic white board: management, editorial, marketing, circulation, advertising, new media and production. We aimed for a cross-section of the industry by discipline.

Then came presentations, going round and round the table, highlighting one person each turn. We nominated and nominated until we had a mix that recognized all aspects of the business.

A few days later, reporters and editors contacted the nominators and "20 Under 40" by phone.

The nominators for those who we reluctantly and with difficulty must pass over—for 2001 at least—receive letters. Full disclosure: This year, a number of errors were made in the database that drove the mail-merge program used to generate those letters. We offer humble apologies and a sincere request that top managers continue to support this feature. And we thank everyone for all the time, energy and enthusiasm they bring to it. Now, meet this year's team.

Presstime's 2001 "20 Under 40"

• Kelly E. Cline
  
• Terrance E. Geiger Jr.
  
• Niki Gladys
  
• Laura L. Hollingsworth
  
• Sherri L. Jackson
  
• Brad Kuhn
  
• Dale B. Lachniet
  
• Pilar Linares
  
• Kim Meyer
  
• Kirsten B. Mitchell
  
• Mary Lou Molesky
  
• Jeffrey Owen Noble
  
• James Porter
  
• Kathy Pulley
  
• Kevin G. Riley
  
• Michael C. Sielski
  
• Steven Simpson
  
• LaNard Stradford
  
• Christopher White Walker
  
• Byron P. White