PUBLISHERS
Michael T. Brigandi
Michael Brigandi has close to 40 years’ experience between various corporate positions and running a small business. After graduating from Clarkson University with a Bachelor of Science degree Mike went to work for Cooper Industries where he spent 15 years in several positions in Sales, Sales Training, Customer Service Management and Product Management.
Having a desire to work for himself he founded IMR Solutions where he was able to work with smaller manufacturers to assist them in their product management and marketing needs. After feeling the effects of 9/11, he was introduced to custom publishing and a new marketing trend, content marketing. Keeping the business going with a new niche he has spent the last 18 years developing and growing custom publications, local trade magazines, and working with clients to achieve their content marketing initiatives.
Richard K. Keene
Mr. Keene has over 30 years of experience in the media field. After holding various marketing and management positions with Newhouse, Gannett, and Park Communications, Keene was a founding partner in Eagle Media Partners LP. Under his guidance, Eagle grew from a ten newspaper group to over seventy titles in the Syracuse, Albany and Binghamton regional markets. Eagle combined circulations of over 500,000 made the group the largest of its kind in New York state, and one of the largest in the United States. Titles and responsibilities at Eagle ranged from GM, to VP, to EVP, to President & CEO.
Mr. Keene has held membership and Board positions with the Suburban Press Association, the National Newspaper Association, the New York State Press Association, the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Development Association and numerous regional and local organizations. At present, he is the Publisher of MD News Magazine, and various regional titles. Mr. Keene holds an M.B.A. from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
WRITERS
Molly English-Bowers
Molly English-Bowers has spent 30 years working as a multiple award-winning writer and editor. She has interviewed and written features on high-profile individuals, such as: Hillary Clinton, Graham Nash and Jim Boeheim.
English-Bowers is looking forward to continuing her interviewing and writing skills with CNY Publications.
Martha E. Conway
Martha E. Conway is an award-winning journalist who entered the world of reporting after nearly two decades working as a legal assistant/paralegal in various areas of law, and as a technical writer/editor for a pharmaceutical manufacturer.
A graduate of Bryant & Stratton College and Cazenovia College, she enjoys spending time with her granddaughters, cooking and immersing herself in true crime books, podcasts, and documentaries.
Janelle Davis
Janelle Davis is a freelance copywriter and content strategist who enjoys blogging and helping busy business owners achieve their goals. In addition to writing features for CNY Publications, she also writes a monthly education feature for Family Times Magazine.
Davis has her master’s degree in literacy education from SUNY Oswego. She has worked as a literacy teacher, helping elementary kids read and write. She now keeps busy with her young children, one boy and one girl.
Sarah Hall
Sarah Hall spent 12 years with Eagle Newspapers as the editor of the Eagle Star-Review and the Baldwinsville Messenger, as well as two years at the helm of Syracuse Woman Magazine. Hall has won numerous accolades for her writing, including three New York Press Association Awards and numerous Syracuse Press Club awards. She is the youngest-ever recipient of the Press Club’s Selwyn Kershaw Professional Standards Award.
Hall graduated from Colgate University with a degree in history and later earned her master’s degree from SUNY Oswego, also in history. She taught American history at Onondaga Community College for more than a decade. She has written for CNY Publications since 2012.
Tami S. Scott
Tami S. Scott is an award-winning writer who has worked as an editor and writer for more than a decade. Her career in publishing began in 2006 at Eagle Newspapers where she served as editor for the Eagle Bulletin, DeWitt Times, and the Baldwinsville Messenger. After five months traveling Europe in 2011, she returned home and was offered the role of managing editor for the Scotsman Press.
Scott also was the sole editor of “Allies & Angels: A Memoir of Our Family’s Transition,” by Terri and Vince Cook. In 2013, she decided to take a five-year hiatus to stay home and raise her three children. During that time, however, she continued to freelance for local publications in Central New York. Scott earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from SUNY Oswego and is in the process of writing her first novel.
Becca Taurisano
Becca Taurisano is a native of the Washington DC metro area raised by her journalist parents to love the written word. After studying English and Spanish literature in college, she was hired because of her strong communication skills at a software company with clients in the US and Latin America. From then on Becca worked in communications in both the Government and Energy sectors, eventually moving to Syracuse with her central New York native husband in 2006.
Becca has written features for central New York publications such as MD News, Syracuse Woman Magazine, Syracuse University College of Law Stories Book and Yearbook, and has contributed to local blogs with her humorous take on parenting. She lives in Manlius with her husband, two daughters, and her dog, Shelby.
DESIGNERS
Rachel Bentley
Rachel Bentley graduated from RIT with a BFA majoring in illustration and design. She interned at Eric Mower + Associates out of Syracuse, NY while at RIT starting her career in the advertising and design industry. She has worked throughout upstate NY with multiple companies focusing on brand design and website design. Mrs. Bentley has been working in the advertising and design industry for 10 years.
Rachel has also illustrated two published children’s books and continues to pursue her passion for fine arts with her career of the digital arts.
John Paone
John Paone has studied multiple art focuses for 25 years. His expertise is in editorial and advertising design. Additionally, he creates graphic and digital art featured in art shows across the country.
Paone graduated from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in New Media Design.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Chuck Wainwright
Chuck Wainwright began his photography career at an early age working with his father in their photoshop. The shop opened in 1948 as a black and white photo finisher, wholesale and retail. Wainwright closed the shop in 2000 as digital photography became the norm.
Wainwright has been a freelance photographer since 2000 with many high-profile clients in sports, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.