What was your first job in the newspaper business?

I made up family tabloid newspapers as a youngster using 8.5-by-11-inch paper folded in half. My first paying job was as a carrier for the afternoon Miami News, but it wasn’t until I worked for Quipp Systems as a field service engineer and traveled the country working with great people in many different newspapers that I developed a love for the business.

What do you like most about your job?

The best part of my job is working with top-notch people across various departments to achieve a common goal. I also like the fact that every day brings different challenges. Although I’ve been with the Chronicle for 19 years, there has never been a dull moment and I have been fortunate to work with many great people.

I also like opening the door in the morning and seeing the fruits of our collective labor. We are the only business that I am aware of that still delivers a product to your doorstep 365 days a year.

What do you like least?

The reality that we are operating with reconditioned presses that are more than 50 years old, and that not every paper is defect-free. I also struggle with having only 24 hours in a day and more than enough opportunities to address in that time frame.

What was the San Francisco Chronicle’s most recent purchase/installation?

Our most recent purchase was an upgrade of the Managing Editor Inc. ad layout system that we utilize to lay out the paper each day. This occurred in October 2007. We had quite a few bumps and hurdles to overcome during the install and especially in the weeks following, but through the dedication of the department and our MIS group, we have everything just about ironed out.

Our next big change is a conversion to a Digital Technology International circulation system, which will impact the interfaces between circulation, advertising and the packaging center.

What is the biggest challenge the San Francisco Chronicle is facing in production?

We recently entered into an agreement to outsource the production of our newspaper (starting in mid-2009). Our twin challenges are balancing capital dollars with their related ROI and maintaining the necessary focus, morale and quality/productivity effort as we head towards the eventual shutdown of our operation. We face this challenge with the professionalism and dedication to the craft that has been evident since I started here in San Francisco.

What trend are you keeping your eye on?  

The biggest trend that I see is the evolving partnership between print and online, and the effort to capitalize critical advantages of each. Answering more finite advertiser needs via increased zoning and niche products runs a close second.

If you know anyone you think should be featured in Short Run, please contact Tara McMeekin at 303.575.9595 or by e-mail at: tmcmeekin@newsandtech.com