We here at the JCK Publishing Group are not immune from this crushing recession.

We’ve recently had to reduce the size of our staff and bid farewell to some dear friends at the magazine.

Hedda Schupak will move from the role of editor-in-chief to editor-at-large. Hedda will continue to write her monthly letter (now as a column in our opinion section) and will contribute to the magazine and Web site on a variety of topics.

Hedda has been a part of the JCK family for 23 years. Notably, Hedda was one of a small number of employees who stayed with JCK in 1997 when nearly the entire staff left en masse to create a rival publication. Hedda helped keep the editorial mission of the book on track during those trying days, and the magazine will always be grateful.

Also transitioning from editorial staff to contributing editors are William George Shuster, Carrie Soucy, and Anthony DeMarco. All are terrific writers and we look forward to their contributions.

We cannot thank and compliment these fine writers enough. They are outstanding employees and outstanding people.

As tough as change is, it does present opportunity, so we’re rethinking JCK‘s editorial coverage. Our focus will be on three areas: news and analysis, product and style, and retailer profiles and profits. May included a revamped front of book, with FirstRead News and FirstRead Retail, and with this issue, we add FirstRead Style. News and analysis is the foundation of our tagline “The Industry Authority.” Senior editor Rob Bates will edit FirstRead News and be primarily responsible for analysis of the major issues of the day throughout the magazine. Senior editor Jennifer Heebner will edit FirstRead Style. Turn here for trends, inspiration, red carpet, and more. We’ll greatly expand our monthly product coverage as a part of this section. Finally, it is my pleasure to announce a new senior editor at the magazine and editor for FirstRead Retail: Paul Holewa. Paul was formerly with InStore magazine, and he brings a unique background of retailer relationships and editorial coverage to JCK. We’ll expand our coverage of retailer success stories, celebrated retail stores, retailer feedback, and retailer challenges.

Our goal is to create a dynamic, focused, practical, trusted, and authoritative trade for the jewelry industry. We want to be your one-stop-shop, covering all the essential information you need to run your business better and prosper. We look forward to continuing to earn your readership and your respect.

See you in Vegas!