Incumbent candidate for Executive Committee

Residence: Quincy, Ill.

Professional position: Editorial production coordinator, Quincy Herald-Whig

Years on board: 6 (elected in 2006, 2008, 2010)

Years of membership: 11

Biography

Gerri supervises a staff of six copy editors/page designers for the daily print and online Herald-Whig. She also teaches communications at the college level. She serves as editor of the ACES newsletter and content editor of the website. She has presented sessions at eight ACES national conference and helped at several regional one-day ACES events. In addition she supervise an ACES intern.

Gerri seeks reelection to the board for a fourth full term because she is passionate about copy editing and feels she still has projects to see through. She wants to see continued efforts for ACES to reach out to copy editors in all businesses; more work to earn grants that will help ACES with outreach; more cooperation with other communication organizations. Also, she wants to be heavily involved in the 2014 conference in her hometown of St. Louis.

ACES’ question to candidate

Board members must show a commitment to the organization’s goals, which center on better serving and increasing the  membership, and keeping ACES financially sound. Everyone’s skills and styles are different. Do you see yourself as stronger in developing ideas, or with putting ideas into action? Are you more comfortable working with a team, or handling a responsibility alone? And how will you organize things to commit the necessary time?

I’ve always seen myself as both a doer and a thinker, and that has come across in my work so far with ACES. As editor of the ACES newsletter, I plan the issues, assign, write and edit. It’s a fairly big time commitment, but one I enjoy. I think the end result is a great membership benefit. I’ve presented sessions, produced the conference program, moved boxes and stuffed bags. I enjoy doing it all — both in teams and individually — because it helps move ACES forward. Interacting with ACES members has been the fun part. However, I haven’t always been as comfortable being the face of ACES with the movers and shakers. It’s something I’ve worked on since I was first elected. Now I’ll approach anyone to get the job done. I plan ACES work into my schedule each week, and I will continue that practice if re-elected.

From the nomination form

How has the nominee contributed to ACES?

I have been a member of the Executive Committee since 2006 and serve as editor of the ACES newsletter and content editor of the website. I have presented sessions at eight ACES national conference and helped at several regional one-day ACES events. I also supervise an ACES intern.

What makes the nominee the best candidate for this position?

I am passionate about copyediting. And I feel I still have projects to see through as a member of the board. But I also think there are many members who have a lot to offer ACES, and I encourage all of you to volunteer and consider running for the board.

If elected, what does the nominee envision for ACES during his or her tenure?

I’d like to see: continued efforts to reach out to copyeditors in all businesses; work to earn grants that will help ACES outreach; more cooperation with other communication organizations to increase ACES offerings and benefits. Also, I hope to have heavier involvement in 2014 conference in St. Louis (my hometown).