Business-to-Business Industry Innovator Tom Martin Announces Retirement

FORT ATKINSON, Wis., July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Few B2B executives have participated in and affected the industry more than Cygnus Business Media's Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Tom Martin.  Today, he announced he would be retiring at the end of the year, a decision that he maintains is both positive and emotional.

"The production business continues to change as publishers look for ways to control costs while maintaining quality," says Martin.  "The past five years have had more challenges and complex issues than my entire 37 years at Cygnus.  It's been exciting and at times difficult, but I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of its lifecycle."

Martin's career at Cygnus began in 1974 and has comprised the entire spectrum of publishing and production positions, including advertising sales, publisher and production director and has helped to launch magazines in the graphics, imaging and reproduction marketplace. In 1984, Martin launched the first pre-press publication in the United States entitled Prepress Image and Assembly World. In 1990, he took over complete manufacturing and production responsibilities for the company and set up the Mac/graphic computer network to interface with desktop edit, art and production tasks.

"As a key executive, Tom has always led by example, dedicated and committed in his efforts to serve the business and implement lasting innovations," says CEO John French.  "He pioneered our digital production efforts and clearly understood how crucial it was to apply new technologies in magazine production, launching our efforts in computer-to-plate (CTP) operations. Cygnus was one of the first to implement CTP operations in 1994 providing us with a competitive edge over many of our peers. Not only did he work hard, but he did so with a great personality and a sense of humor we will always treasure."

In 2004, Martin was named to BtoB's Media Business magazine's inaugural Innovators Awards for his efforts in digitizing prepress operations.  

Curt Pordes began transitioning into Martin's role as Vice President of Production Operations as of Monday, July 11.  Pordes was most recently Director of Production for Penton Media, and brings over 20 years of successful production management experience.  Martin will remain on board until December 31, 2011.

Cygnus Business Media reaches millions of professionals annually. As one of America's top business-to-business media companies, Cygnus is leading the way in providing targeted content to top decision-makers and organizations. The company's corporate initiatives and organizational architecture are built with one goal: fully engaging audiences in Aviation, Building & Construction, Public Safety & Security, and Agriculture vertical markets, as well as Diversified Industries such as transportation, printing, accounting, and vending.

SOURCE Cygnus Business Media