Return to Virginia Business - May 2001

Editor's Corner
Virginia Business a year later

Here at Virginia Business, the past year has been one of big changes. We’ve redesigned the magazine to a more modern look and made our stories more topical, analytical and forward-looking. Assisting in this effort were former senior editors Leigh Anne Larance and Nicolee Stevens Simpson. During this period of transition, I came to rely very much on their experience and advice. Leigh Anne had worked at the magazine for five years and was a fount of ideas, including one for Click!, our electronic business section. Nicolee worked here for three years and pioneered two sister publications, Virginia Now! and r u ready? An Australian who has worked as an editor in London, Nicolee lent our magazine a certain worldly sophistication. Another big help was Holly M. Rodriguez, our former editorial assistant, whose writing talent and zany sense of humor kept us smiling.

We have lost all three. Leigh Anne and Nicolee decided not to return to work after having children this winter and Holly’s moved on to writing for a Richmond-based community newspaper. I am sorry to lose them.

At the same time, I am delighted to announce a new hire and a promotion. Veteran journalist Paula Crawford Squires is now our managing editor. I’ve known Paula since the 1970s when we both wrote for The Virginian-Pilot. She also has many years of experience at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, including stints as a business writer and consumer columnist. She also wrote for Virginia Business, including a piece for its very first issue back in 1986. Paula is energetic, bright and experienced. She’s effervescent, too. But when it comes to serious journalism, Paula can be one tough cookie.

Leila Marija Ugincius, our research editor, is promoted to associate editor. A five-year veteran of Virginia Business, Leila has developed critical specialties in computers, organizing production and layouts. She’ll keep us on track at closing time, while doing double duty editing the Minding Your Business section and writing stories.

It’s been an eventful year and we’ve been through a lot of change. We’re still upgrading Virginia Business, its affiliated publications and our Web site. With Paula and Leila, I know we’ll continue in the right direction.

 — Peter Galuszka
Executive Editor
pgaluszka@va-business.com