50 Years Of Editors

Because In-Plant Graphics strives to be a voice for the in-plant community, many of you feel you've gotten to know the editors. Names like Judy Bocklage still ring a bell. Other old-time editors, like William Pepper Jr., have disappeared with time, and their stories with them. Their efforts to improve the magazine, though, have all contributed to its success.

Richard F. Caruzzi started it all in 1951. He worked quite hard to publish that first issue. He had a folksy style of writing and seemed an affable enough fellow. (He may have also been a big fan of National Geographic magazine, judging by his inexplicable decision to include photos of topless East Indies women in the debut issue.)

From December 1951 to May 1952 the magazine made no mention of who its editor was, but in June 1952, a new man, David Kallman, suddenly appeared. He just as abruptly vanished the next month when John Ensign was named editor. Ensign stayed on for three and a half years, and was notable for starting to put shots of graphic arts equipment on the covers, instead of arbitrary shots of farmers and landscapes, as had been the practice.

It wasn't until Kenneth Dorman took over in January 1956, though, that in-plant operations made their appearance on the covers. Dorman was also behind the decision to shrink the magazine's dimensions down to 5-1⁄4x8˝, though he never said why.

Dorman's four-year tenure ended in May 1959, when Morton Zelenko appeared on the scene, with much fanfare and a big editorial.

He lasted two months.

Lee Revens took over in July. He lasted just six months.

In January 1960, Thomas Grady Nanney Jr. was named editor, a job he retained for the next seven and a half years—the longest reign of any editor up till that time (though your current editor has long since surpassed him). In 1966 Nanney became copublisher, switching back to editor later in the year when the magazine was sold to Geyer-McCallister. The August 1967 issue was his last.

The new company named Walter A. Kleinschrod editorial director, with Jerome K. Muller as managing editor. Muller was made editor in July 1968, but only enjoyed the promotion for one more month. He disappeared after North American Publishing Co. bought the magazine and moved it to Philadelphia.

Walter Kubilius became the new editorial director in September 1968 and was the first to run his picture in his editorial column. In August 1969, Associate Editor William Pepper Jr. was promoted to editor and Kubilius became vice president. Strangely, Kubilius returned to his previous title nine months later, after Pepper left in October 1970.

In January 1971, Wayne Riley became editor and stayed with the magazine for three and a half years. Kubilius switched to editorial advisor in July 1971.

Riley was followed by William B. Leonard Jr. who stayed editor for the next four and a half years. In January 1979, when new editor Robert S. Rapp took over, Leonard was brushed aside and made an editorial consultant for three months, before being dropped from the masthead.

Rapp lasted only a few months. Then, to everyone's shock, Walter Kubilius made a surprise reappearance as editor. He stayed for just one issue and then faded away for good.

In June 1979, Tom Bluesteen took over. In addition to redesigning the look of the magazine, he changed its name to In-Plant Reproductions.

When Bluesteen departed three years later, the magazine got its first female editor, Ida Crist, in August 1982. She also stayed for three years and was followed by Maria L. Martino. After two years, in October 1987, Martino became executive editor and her associate editor, Denise Wallace, became editor. Wallace remained editor until February 1990, when she abruptly left. (Ironically, her final editorial was entitled "Survival of the Fittest.")

Judy Bocklage was promoted to editor in March 1990 from another magazine in the company. She stayed for more than four years. After she moved to yet another magazine, Todd Wakai was hired. He stayed only five months.

In November 1994, Bob Neubauer was named editor and has overseen the magazine ever since.