A Lifetime Commitment-Steven Grande

Stephen Grande has made a name for himself in the magazine industry by focusing on honesty, integrity and continued education.

Stephen Grande was born into publishing. His interest in manufacturing was fostered by his father, a bindery foreman who employed young Grande during summer breaks from school. While on the job, Grande learned the elements of printing and publishing. He spent time in the pressroom and bindery, and, as he puts it, "sort of grew into the business."

The desire to develop his knowledge of the business led Grande to high-school years spent studying at the New York School for Printing. During that time, he held jobs at several small print shops in the New York area. At the ripe age of 21, Grande landed a position with McGraw-Hill. While there, he obtained degrees from the New York Technical College and New York University's Center for Graphic Arts Management and Technology.

With the valuable experiences he gained during his employment with McGraw-Hill, Grande eventually found himself at CMP Media, Manhasset, NY, where he is now employed as the vice president of manufacturing.

According to James Pizzo, director of international commercial operations for CMP Media, Grande has been vitally instrumental in the company's growth, particularly in the international realm.

Among his accomplishments at CMP, Pizzo notes that Grande has been responsible for coordinating the editorial department's transition to desktop publishing and "implemented sound solutions to the escalating paper price demands of the past two years." Grande is now focusing his attention on developing the best methods for CMP's entry into the digital publishing environment, adds Pizzo.

Communication counts

In his more than 20 years in the industry to date, Grande claims to have learned many lessons. Perhaps the most valuable of all is the need to foster relationships with colleagues.