Incumbent candidate for President; running unopposed

Residence: Chicago

Professional position: Assistant managing editor, Daily Herald/Paddock Publications, Arlington Heights, Ill.

Years on board: 8 (elected in 2004, 2006, 2008; elected President in 2010)

Years of membership: 14 (lifetime member)

Biography

Teresa is in charge of multiplatform publishing and oversees copy editors who publish all digital and print content for a large suburban newspaper. She has served as the ACES contest chair and director of research. She established the internship program and, has organized regional conferences. She has spoken at national ACES conferences and has represented ACES with other journalism groups, such as SND, ONA, CNJO and SPJ.

Teresa, a board member since 2005, seeks a second full term as president. She helped lead the board in establishing a strategic plan to keep it on track to a healthy and prosperous future. While change is never easy, she wants ACES to evolve with the changes in its members’ workplaces while meeting the needs of its members and strengthening its financial footing. She wants to make the board more efficient, rebuild ACES’ financial reserves, and find new revenue streams through editing boot camps, online learning modules, grant applications, and expense analysis.

ACES’ question to candidate

You’re running for re-election to a post you’ve held for two years. What are the most important things you have learned in the office? What will you do differently in your second term?

I’ve learned that I need to find a better balance with my internal and external focus. In my first term, I focused on internal board and organization operations. We set up our first strategic plan, we looked at more clearly defining board roles and the services we provide and how we interact with ACES members. What I hope to do, in my second term, is continue to refine what I started in the first term without it taking 100% of my time. I’m learning the value of building external relationships with other organizations and leaders in our industry — and those outside our traditional industry. As ACES continues to grow and adapt, I need to help pave new roads into uncharted territory and find new sources of revenue and new ways of generating revenue.

From the nomination form

How has the nominee contributed to ACES?

I have been a board member since 2005. I have served as the contest chair, director of research, established the internship program and, for the past two years, as president. I have organized regional conferences and have spoken at national ACES conferences. I have also represented ACES with other journalism groups, such as SND, ONA, CNJO and SPJ.

What makes the nominee the best candidate for this position?

During my first term as president, I helped lead the board in establishing a strategic plan, which helps keep us on track to a healthy and prosperous future. I bring a strong business sense to the office, in addition to a passion for editing. I also embrace the future and change with a focus on innovation and problem-solving.

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

Change is never easy. These first two years, I have been focused on working with the board to ensure ACES evolves with the changes in our industry while still meeting the needs of our members and strengthening our financial footing. One goal is to better establish and define board operations so we’re more efficient. Another is to rebuild our reserves and find new revenue streams though one-day editing bootcamps, online learning modules, grant applications and expense analysis.