In a move he described as a homecoming, John Rodney left his position as NAA's director of newspaper services on Jan. 1 to become director of production for The Press of Atlantic City, N.J.
"I'm originally from New Jersey---I'm home again after many years on the industry road," Rodney says. But the homecoming was more than just geographic. "Newspapers are in my blood. I was missing that pressroom hum. I'll be working on problems I can get my hands around."
Rodney's journey began as a pressman with the Plainfield (N.J.) Courier News. He attended school during the evenings, eventually earning a B.S. in management from Rutgers University. He later spent 14 months at Gannett Co.'s headquarters, assisting the vice president of production by traveling around the chain evaluating production problems. "It was a great education," he says.
Then Rodney really took to the road, managing operations at three Gannett sites in five years. "Gannett was experiencing explosive growth," he remembers. "It was like being in the army. Someone would say, 'We want you there in three weeks,' and you were expected to move."
In order to "sink some roots in a community," Rodney left Gannett for the then-privately owned Easton (Pa.) Express, where he spent the next six years. He then moved to Portland, Maine, to take a position with Guy Gannett Inc., where he stayed for the next eight years.
At Guy Gannett, Rodney was responsible for installing new flexo presses, an experience that led him to start a company that made anilox rollers. After a series of problems, Rodney "came to the conclusion that I wasn't going to be a successful entrepreneur."
He then joined NAA, where he has been for the last year and a half. During his tenure, Rodney participated in numerous projects, including the Digital Advertising Task Force, "Impact Advertising---The NAA Guide to Quality Reproduction," and the upcoming SuperConference. He also helped to launch TechNews. Throughout his association with NAA, Rodney contributed a valuable newspaper-operations perspective.
At Atlantic City, Rodney will report directly to Publisher Robert McCormick. His responsibilities will include production systems, printing, plate making, maintenance and building services.
Rodney is married with three adult children and two grandchildren.
Steven B. Strout has been named vice president of information technology for the Thompson Newspapers, Stamford, Conn. Strout previously had served as director of publishing technologies.
Laura Blong has been named Eastern regional sales manager of TeleDirect International, Davenport, Iowa.
Linda Bruce has been named director of sales and marketing for Managing Editor Inc., Jenkintown, Pa.
Donald G. Chapman has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Newspaper Technologies Inc. (formerly CISS) of Calgary, Alberta.
Mark Charlesworth has joined Phoenix-based American Color as vice president of technology.
Max Coebergh has joined Mission Critical Technologies of Concord, Mass., as vice president of worldwide sales.
Raymond R. Dittrich, Jr. has been named senior vice president of American Color.
Kurt W. Dressel has been named vice president of sales and marketing at Gannett Media Technologies International, Cincinnati.
Robert Kuhn has been appointed president of Rockwell Graphic Systems, Seal Beach, Calif.
Thomas Miller has been appointed vice president of customer solutions for TeleDirect International of Davenport, Iowa.
Jeffrey G. Miller was named to position of vice president and general manager, Midwest region, for Heritage Inks International.
Gerald A. Nathe has been elected chief executive officer of Baldwin Technology Company Inc., Rowayton, Conn.
Richard L. Pellegrini has been names president of the Marketing Products division of Matthews International Corp., Pittsburgh.
Daniel J. Quenzer has been named vice president of service and parts for Man Roland Inc. of Westmont, Ill.
Frank D. Steenburgh has joined Indigo America as their new president.
Terry L. Brubaker was appointed vice president, paper products for the American Forest and Paper Association, Washington, D.C.
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